This Code of Ethics aims to support our dance movement therapists in ethical decision-making processes and safeguard the general public’s experience with dance movement therapy. It clarifies the professional roles and obligations, states appropriate responsibility for therapists’ behaviors, and raises the awareness of conflicts of interest that could lead to exploitation or harm.
1. Do No Harm
Dance movement therapists place the needs of the clients first when a conflict of interests arise. They strive to maximize benefits and minimize harms in situations ensuring the overall good outweighs whatever risks or harm involved. Dance movement therapists are alert to guard against personal, financial, social, organizational or political factors that might lead to misuse of their influence. They also strive to be aware of the possible effect of their own physical and mental health on their ability to help those with whom they work.
1.1 Confidentiality
Confidential information can only be released by written consent by the client, unless there is imminent danger to the client or the community. At all times, the right of the client to confidentiality must be weighed, and by extension, the right to unimpaired treatment, the community to protect its own welfare and the profession to preserve its ethical standards must be equally weighed.
1.1.1 Dance movement therapists ensure the confidential safekeeping of clients’ records and obtain consent for release or use of clients’ records in any form, including verbal, written, audio, video, digital, and creative expressions.
1.1.2 Limits of confidentiality:
i. Risk of harm to client.
Dance movement therapists inform clients of the legal limits of confidentiality with regard to risk or incidence of serious harm to themselves.
ii. Risk of harm to third parties.
Dance movement therapists inform clients of the legal limits of confidentiality with regard to risk or incidence of serious harm by client(s) to third parties. Dance movement therapists take reasonable measures to protect third parties and the public when there is a foreseeable risk of serious harm by a client. The dance movement therapist may breach confidentiality to report foreseeable threats or injuries to law enforcement within parameters dictated by law.
iii. Multiple clients.
Dance movement therapists communicate that they cannot guarantee compliance to confidentiality agreements by participants in group and couple and family therapy, however, they discuss the importance of confidentiality and request adherence by all participants.
iv. Court order.Dance movement therapists inform clients of the limits of confidentiality when information is court ordered.
v. Minor clients.
Dance movement therapists inform minor clients of the limits of confidentiality with regard to parent and guardian legal rights to information. They inform parents and guardians of the legal rights to information consistent with age of minor, legal and custodial arrangements. However, they also discuss with parents and guardians the benefits of maintaining therapist-client confidentiality.
vii. Education, supervision, consultation.
Dance movement therapists communicate to clients that client information may be shared within the context of education, supervision, and/or consultation. However, dance movement therapists anonymize information and share only that which is necessary for the purpose involved.
1.2 Dual Relationship
Dance movement therapists are aware of the power dynamics in a therapeutic relationship and do not engage in abuse or exploitation of the relationship for their emotional, financial or sexual gain.
1.2.1 Dance movement therapists make every effort to avoid entering into dual relationships that may confuse an existing relationship or increase the risk of exploitation. Examples include, but are not limited to, a therapeutic relationship with a friend, relative, employee, student or supervisee; a personal/business relationship with a current or former client. In case dual relationships need to happen, a window period is needed after termination and the dance movement therapist is responsible for explaining the boundaries involved in each relationship.
1.2.2 Dance movement therapists do not engage in sexual relationships or behave in a sexual manner with clients in the use of language, physical contact, and/or suggestive behavior. It is the responsibility of the dance movement therapist to maintain clear sexual boundaries in their own conduct and therapeutically address client’s behavior of a sexual nature towards the therapist.
1.1 Confidentiality
Confidential information can only be released by written consent by the client, unless there is imminent danger to the client or the community. At all times, the right of the client to confidentiality must be weighed, and by extension, the right to unimpaired treatment, the community to protect its own welfare and the profession to preserve its ethical standards must be equally weighed.
1.1.1 Dance movement therapists ensure the confidential safekeeping of clients’ records and obtain consent for release or use of clients’ records in any form, including verbal, written, audio, video, digital, and creative expressions.
1.1.2 Limits of confidentiality:
i. Risk of harm to client.
Dance movement therapists inform clients of the legal limits of confidentiality with regard to risk or incidence of serious harm to themselves.
- Dance movement therapists assess client’s risk of suicide, introduce clinical measures to protect the client from serious danger to self, and may breach confidentiality if measures are insufficient to protect the client.
- Dance movement therapists report suspected abuse and maltreatment of minor and vulnerable adult clients within parameters dictated by law and agency policy.
- Dance movement therapists facilitate the safety planning of adult clients who are endangered by domestic abuse or other threats of violence. To protect the client from getting into serious danger, dance movement therapists may breach confidentiality and report threats or injuries to law enforcement within parameters dictated by law.
ii. Risk of harm to third parties.
Dance movement therapists inform clients of the legal limits of confidentiality with regard to risk or incidence of serious harm by client(s) to third parties. Dance movement therapists take reasonable measures to protect third parties and the public when there is a foreseeable risk of serious harm by a client. The dance movement therapist may breach confidentiality to report foreseeable threats or injuries to law enforcement within parameters dictated by law.
iii. Multiple clients.
Dance movement therapists communicate that they cannot guarantee compliance to confidentiality agreements by participants in group and couple and family therapy, however, they discuss the importance of confidentiality and request adherence by all participants.
iv. Court order.Dance movement therapists inform clients of the limits of confidentiality when information is court ordered.
v. Minor clients.
Dance movement therapists inform minor clients of the limits of confidentiality with regard to parent and guardian legal rights to information. They inform parents and guardians of the legal rights to information consistent with age of minor, legal and custodial arrangements. However, they also discuss with parents and guardians the benefits of maintaining therapist-client confidentiality.
vii. Education, supervision, consultation.
Dance movement therapists communicate to clients that client information may be shared within the context of education, supervision, and/or consultation. However, dance movement therapists anonymize information and share only that which is necessary for the purpose involved.
1.2 Dual Relationship
Dance movement therapists are aware of the power dynamics in a therapeutic relationship and do not engage in abuse or exploitation of the relationship for their emotional, financial or sexual gain.
1.2.1 Dance movement therapists make every effort to avoid entering into dual relationships that may confuse an existing relationship or increase the risk of exploitation. Examples include, but are not limited to, a therapeutic relationship with a friend, relative, employee, student or supervisee; a personal/business relationship with a current or former client. In case dual relationships need to happen, a window period is needed after termination and the dance movement therapist is responsible for explaining the boundaries involved in each relationship.
1.2.2 Dance movement therapists do not engage in sexual relationships or behave in a sexual manner with clients in the use of language, physical contact, and/or suggestive behavior. It is the responsibility of the dance movement therapist to maintain clear sexual boundaries in their own conduct and therapeutically address client’s behavior of a sexual nature towards the therapist.
2. Equality
Dance movement therapists serve all in a non-discriminatory manner. Ensuring clients have equal rights of access to assessment and treatment regardless of their age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, disability, social, economic or immigration status, or any other diversity not relevant to treatment.
Dance movement therapists examine the meaning of their ethnic, cultural backgrounds etc. and how they may affect cross-cultural therapy dynamics and strive to eliminate the effects of prejudice in their work.
Dance movement therapists examine the meaning of their ethnic, cultural backgrounds etc. and how they may affect cross-cultural therapy dynamics and strive to eliminate the effects of prejudice in their work.
3. Ethical Dilemmas
Dance movement therapists cultivate the sensitivity to recognize ethical dilemmas, employ an embodied and deliberative ethical decisional process when confronted by a significant ethical dilemma. This process may involve clarifying facts, identifying stakeholders potentially affected by the decision, considering the cultural context, applying ethical principles, standards, and laws; consulting supervisors, colleagues, and professional bodies; generating decisional options and projecting attendant risks and benefits of available options.
4. Competence
Competence involves a responsibility to practice with requisite 1) education, 2) training, 3) continuous supervision, and 4) consultation. Practicing within the designated scope of practice, boundaries of their own competence and the limitations for their own techniques. Dance movement therapists are responsible to 1) cultivate the awareness, knowledge, skills needed to effectively practice with diverse populations and 2) monitor and maintain personal well-being to practice.
Dance movement therapists monitor therapeutic choices and countertransference reactions. They seek supervision or consultation to examine boundary problems that arise and take corrective action when needed.
Dance movement therapists monitor therapeutic choices and countertransference reactions. They seek supervision or consultation to examine boundary problems that arise and take corrective action when needed.
5. Informed Consent
Dance movement therapists respect clients’ autonomy. Services are to clients who are provided with statements of informed consent; it is a specific contract, which includes method of treatment, frequency of sessions, voluntary participation, costs, etc. It is provided to the client(s) before participation.
5.1 Dance movement therapists engage in a therapeutic alliance that is established and held within the context of mutual agreement about purposes of therapy, techniques offered, confidentiality and its limits, therapeutic boundaries, the benefits and risks of therapy, maintenance of clinical records, payment arrangement, conditions for termination and practice policies. Professional information is provided to clients in verbal and written forms.
5.2 Dance movement therapists carefully consider how to respond to client gifts, giving attention to the personal and cultural meaning of the gesture to the client, the monetary value of the gift, and the impact on the therapy process. Dance movement therapists do not accept gifts that may influence their decisions or judgment.
5.1 Dance movement therapists engage in a therapeutic alliance that is established and held within the context of mutual agreement about purposes of therapy, techniques offered, confidentiality and its limits, therapeutic boundaries, the benefits and risks of therapy, maintenance of clinical records, payment arrangement, conditions for termination and practice policies. Professional information is provided to clients in verbal and written forms.
5.2 Dance movement therapists carefully consider how to respond to client gifts, giving attention to the personal and cultural meaning of the gesture to the client, the monetary value of the gift, and the impact on the therapy process. Dance movement therapists do not accept gifts that may influence their decisions or judgment.
6. Use of Touch
Dance movement therapists understand touch as fundamentally supportive to human growth and development, and inherently involved in dance and social interaction. In the context of therapy, touch may 1) provide safety; 2) support the client’s grounding, organization, and regulation; 3) establish body boundaries; 4) facilitate self-awareness, human connection, and group cohesion; 5) comfort and ease pain.
Dance movement therapists make decisions about touch in consideration of , but not limited to: clients’ diagnosis, developmental level, transference, group dynamics and process, clients’ touch history, socio-cultural context and the nature of the therapy relationship. Dance Movement Therapists would ask for permission from a client when therapeutic touch is used.
Dance movement therapists are aware of their own personal discomforts with touch and do not use touch when there is any discomfort or question.
Dance movement therapists make decisions about touch in consideration of , but not limited to: clients’ diagnosis, developmental level, transference, group dynamics and process, clients’ touch history, socio-cultural context and the nature of the therapy relationship. Dance Movement Therapists would ask for permission from a client when therapeutic touch is used.
Dance movement therapists are aware of their own personal discomforts with touch and do not use touch when there is any discomfort or question.
7. Financial Arrangements and Business Practices
7.1 Dance movement therapists make financial arrangements with clients and third-party payers that are understandable and conform to accept professional practices.
7.2 Dance movement therapists set fees that are fair, reasonable, commensurate with the provided services, and consistent with those charged by comparable service providers.
7.2 Dance movement therapists set fees that are fair, reasonable, commensurate with the provided services, and consistent with those charged by comparable service providers.
8. Complaints Handling
Conflicts in therapy can be a therapeutic element for breakthrough, dance movement therapists are responsible to process it with their clients and continuously evaluate the situation with their clients. However, if a formal complaint is to be made, it is the dance movement therapist’s responsibility to provide information of his/her supervisor and/or their oversea accreditation body’s complaining channel.
9. Others
Apart from complying with this code of ethics, HKDMTA professional members are responsible to comply with their oversea accreditation body’s code of ethics and to fulfil the requirements for registration/ re-registration.
(last updated June 2020)
References:
American Dance Therapy Association. (2015 Rev.). The Code of Ethics and Standards of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board (DMTCB). Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://adta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Code-of-the-ADTA-DMTCB-Final.pdf
Association of Child Life Professionals (2019 July). Child Life Code of Ethics. Retrieved June 16, 2020 from https://www.childlife.org/docs/default-source/aclp-official-documents/child-life-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=52d8c4d_2
Dance-Movement Association of Australia (2013 Rev.). Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct. Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://dtaa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/CodeOfEthics.pdf
Hong Kong Professional Counseling Association. Hong Kong Professional Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2011 Revision). Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://www.hkpca.org.hk/about/code-of-ethics/
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (n.d.). Code of Ethics for Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://f9d5656f-2396-4f9d-a7c3-d149f2b9eca6.filesusr.com/ugd/4b548d_e144c2740f534db99a5cffe7a8c61141.pdf
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (n.d.). Ethical Guidelines for Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educators (REACE). Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://www.ieata.org/reace-code-of-ethics
The Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK (2016.Aug.). Code of Ethics and Professional Practice. Retrieved June 11, 2020 from http://admp-org-uk.stackstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/Code-of-Ethics-and-Professional-Practice.pdf
American Dance Therapy Association. (2015 Rev.). The Code of Ethics and Standards of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) and the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board (DMTCB). Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://adta.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Code-of-the-ADTA-DMTCB-Final.pdf
Association of Child Life Professionals (2019 July). Child Life Code of Ethics. Retrieved June 16, 2020 from https://www.childlife.org/docs/default-source/aclp-official-documents/child-life-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=52d8c4d_2
Dance-Movement Association of Australia (2013 Rev.). Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct. Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://dtaa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/CodeOfEthics.pdf
Hong Kong Professional Counseling Association. Hong Kong Professional Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2011 Revision). Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://www.hkpca.org.hk/about/code-of-ethics/
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (n.d.). Code of Ethics for Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://f9d5656f-2396-4f9d-a7c3-d149f2b9eca6.filesusr.com/ugd/4b548d_e144c2740f534db99a5cffe7a8c61141.pdf
International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (n.d.). Ethical Guidelines for Registered Expressive Arts Consultant/Educators (REACE). Retrieved June 11, 2020 from https://www.ieata.org/reace-code-of-ethics
The Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK (2016.Aug.). Code of Ethics and Professional Practice. Retrieved June 11, 2020 from http://admp-org-uk.stackstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/Code-of-Ethics-and-Professional-Practice.pdf