Music Therapy Ethics and Clinical Decision Making

(3 CMTE credits)

Saturday, March 28, 2026 Charleston Southern University, North Charleston, SC

Begins promptly at 10:00 AM – plan to arrive no later than 9:30 AM to register and greet your friends. MTASC business meeting after lunch.

PDF Flyer

Register: https://forms.gle/ygnu3KYyo87q59Em7

Course Description

The music therapy process requires on-going decision making about music experiences and supportive interactions and skills. Knowing what to do when, how to do it and even if to do something requires an ongoing inner dialogue of decision-making that is grounded in the music therapist’s primary focus – the best interest of the client. What does ethical decision-making in music therapy as described by Dileo teach us about these moment-to-moment choices. How does practicing decision making in a deliberate step-by-step process prepare us for the in-the-moment decision we face in each session?

Join us for an exploration of the decision-making process in daily clinical work. Practice the process and enhance your ability to make ethical in-the-moment decisions.

Learner Objectives

Upon completion of this CMTE, participants will be able to:

  1. Verbalize specific sections of the Code of Ethics that address clinical decision making in treatment planning and implementation (2B-4; 2C-2; 3A-3).

  2. Demonstrate ability to use one of Dileo’s decision making models to consider real-world clinical decision-making situations (3A-3).

  3. Identify 2 specific areas for personal growth as related to ethical decision-making in clinical situations (5A-2).

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites to attend this CMTE event. Students are welcome and encouraged to come and learn with MT-BCs.

MT-BCs - REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR CBMT # FOR SIGNING IN AND OUT.

About the Presenter

Carol Shultis, Ph.D., MT-BC is Associate Professor of Music Therapy at Converse University. After 16 years of service on the AMTA Ethics Board. She began offering ethics-related continuing education in 2003; joined the AMTA Ethics Board in 2006 and completed service in 2022. Carol’s clinical experience includes medical hospital, hospice, mental health, and educational settings. She co-authored the Clinical Training Guide for the Student Music Therapist with Donna Polen and Barbara Wheeler (2005 & 2017) and has presented at dozens of music therapy conferences across the U.S.

Course Schedule

Check-in, Coffee & Networking

9:15 AM

Ethics Overview

10:00 AM

  • Evolution of ethical thinking, considering application of ethical thinking to clinical practice

Break

10:50 AM

Ethical Decision-Making Models, An Update

11:00 AM

Break

11:40 AM

Application of Ethical Thinking to Real World Dilemmas

11:50 AM

  • Small groups with like concerns

Report Back to Full Group

12:20 PM

Questions and Wrap-up

12:40 PM

  • Course Evaluations

Registration Information

Cost:

  • Free to MTASC members
  • Non-members: $25 (pay with link in Google Registration form)

Cancellation Policy: Should this CMTE be canceled, all registered participants will be notified, and any CMTE fees paid will be refunded.

MTASC Annual Dues: $25 for professionals, $15 for first year professionals, $10 students (usually paid in fall).

Questions? Contact Carol.shultis@converse.edu or call (864) 596-9621.

Location

Charleston Southern University is located at 9200 University Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29405. We’ll be in the Student Center (Bldg. 201) in The Cove Conference Center, at the center of campus.

Lunch

We will enjoy lunch in the university cafeteria. The cost for lunch is $9.03 per person. You may choose to purchase lunch on the day of the event or bring your lunch. For planning purposes, please indicate your plans on the Registration Form, so we have a number to share with the cafeteria. The cafeteria is located in the Student Center.

Important Notes

Because of the participatory design of this course, we are not able to provide a recorded version of this CMTE.

Music Therapy Ethics and Clinical Practice is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 3 Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. The SER-AMTA #P-024, maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.