REGULATION Update Music Therapy Association for Alberta, AGM, September 29, 2018 Sheila Killoran, MA, MTA, FAMI
Regulation is Provincial To protect the public from harm A College is formed to regulate the profession Legislation in Alberta is under the Health Professions Act of Alberta. In order to open the act and make a change to a College, a bill has to be passed in Alberta Government Legislature
Federation of Associations of Counselling Therapists FACT-AB FACT-AB is the provincial voice of member associations who are pursuing regulation and the development of the Alberta College of Counselling Therapists. Collectively this group of associations represents approximately 3,500 practitioners. It is estimated that there are more than 5,000 unregulated mental health and addictions practitioners in Alberta. www.fact-alberta.org
FACT-AB Members AAMFT Alberta Association of Marriage and Family Therapists AASC Alberta Association for Spiritual Care ACCT Association of Co-operative Counselling Therapists APTA Alberta Play Therapy Association CATA Canadian Art Therapy Association CCPA Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association CPCA Canadian Professional Counsellors Association CDAA Career Development Association of Alberta CYCAA - Child and Youth Care Association of Alberta IEATA - International Expressive Arts Therapy Association MTAA Music Therapy Association for Alberta NADTA North American Drama Therapy Association PACCP Professional Association of Christian Counsellors and Psychotherapists
Timeline: In August 2017, FACT-AB submitted an application to the Ministry of Health to request the regulation the profession of Counselling Therapy under the Health Professions Act of Alberta. September 2018, The Government has completed their Consultation Process The Government is working on introducing a bill for Fall Legislative assembly (estimated, October 2018)
What Does This Mean for Music Therapists? Title protection Professional mobility Stability Access to jobs that require employees to be regulated More integrated in primary health care teams Recognition of Music Therapy as a regulated health profession
Title Protection Title protection for Counselling Therapist Requested title protection for Music Therapist Accredited and Music Therapist in MTAA consultation document. You would use both: Marcy Jones, RCT, MTA (Registered Counselling Therapist, Music Therapist Accredited) Your portability would include other provinces which are regulated (Equivalent to Ontario Psychotherapist )
As a music therapist I don t do much Counselling, does this apply to me? Yes. The training for Music Therapists Accredited (MTA) provides the practitioner with the skills and competencies needed for entrance to the College as a Counselling Therapist. As music therapists, our counselling skills and competencies also include the non-verbal and musical realms, as well as verbal. The definition of counselling therapy is broad enough to include the work of music therapists.
Definition of Counselling The overall goal of a Counselling Therapist is to provide an opportunity for people to live a more satisfying life, with the resources and resilience needed to meet life's challenges. Therapeutic relationships with clients vary according to individual needs, but may seek to address developmental issues, reduce distressing symptoms, increase capacity for decision making, provide support and coping strategies within a crisis, work through feelings of inner conflict, improve relationships with others, assist in career development, or nurture personal growth, selfesteem and self awareness. Counselling Therapists emphasize the overall mental health and wellness of clients, and understand their specific challenges and disorders, as well as their strengths, within this context.
Definition of Counselling The work is done within the client's context, as the Counselling Therapist provides psychosocial interventions that promote the optimal development, functioning and growth of the client. This is done by focusing on the strengths of the client across social, economic, cognitive, spiritual, cultural, and behavioural domains. In addition to "talk therapy" interventions, some Counselling Therapists may have certification in the use of creative arts therapies (music, art, drama), play therapy, guided imagery, or spiritual care and counselling. Growth is accomplished using the most appropriate treatment modality to achieve competency, health, and wellness.
Will I need a new degree? No. The model that Alberta is pursuing is Competency Based. This means that all members of the College would have the same basic entry to practice competencies as regulated professionals. The FACT-British Columbia group first developed the music therapy competencies in 2004-2007. The FACT-AB group has used these, as well competency profiles of other professions, to come up with the proposed Competencies for Counselling Therapists.
Competency Profile Area 1. Foundations 19.1 Human functioning 19.2 Theoretical framework 19.3 Mental health 19.4 Awareness of self 19.5 Diversity Area 2. Communication and relationships 2.1 Communication 2.2 Relationships 2.3 Collaborative practice and referral.
Competency Profile Area 3. Professionalism 3.1 Legal and regulatory compliance 3.2 Ethics 3.3 Self-care and safety 3.4 Reflective practice 3.5 Records 3.6 Business practices 3.7 Third party support 3.8 Reports to third parties 3.9 Supervision 3.10 Collegial consultation Area 4. Counselling Therapy Process 4.1 Orientation 4.2 Assessment 4.3 Therapeutic relationship 4.4 Therapeutic process
Do I still need to be a member of MTAA? Yes. It is very important that you join or continue to be a member of your provincial association (MTAA) in order to qualify for expedited grandparenting into the College. You have to have been a member of MTAA for a minimum of 1 year to qualify. Membership in MTAA will also provide you with ongoing CE and workshops specific to music therapy, support for members, advocacy, and promotion of music therapy in Alberta.
Entry to the College Expedited Grandparenting (current members of FACT-Alberta Associations) You have to have been a member of MTAA for a minimum of 1 year to qualify. Grandparenting (current practitioners who are not certified members of a FACT-AB association) Regular Route (those new to the field of Counselling Therapy) There will likely be an exam for regular route entry into the college.
What are the negatives to regulation? There is significant cost as part of Regulation. That is why the umbrella system is preferred for smaller professional organizations with a large membership the financial contributions is much less, as it is spread across many members and organizations. There are strict rules and regulations to follow under Regulation that are legally mandated by the College. However for music therapists, we already abide by a code of ethics, have standards of professional practice, fulfill CE requirements, and satisfy basic competencies in our training programs. So, this would not be as much of an adjustment for our profession
Insurance Coverage for Music Therapy Can apply for GST to be eliminated after 5 th province regulated (Alberta will be the 5 th province) (ON, QU, NB, NS). Regulation will increase access to insurance coverage for services Associations (MTAA) and possibly the continuation of FACT-AB will be able to advocate for insurance coverage of music therapy, and advocacy for the profession.
What can I do? Maintain your membership in MTAA to be eligible for expedited grandparenting into the proposed new college. Educate yourself. Read the MTAA website, and listen to the webinars. Follow FACT-AB on social media. https://www.pushpolitics.ca/clients/fact- Alberta/ Sign the letter to government indicating your support. Bring your questions to MTAA Regulation Representatives, Sheila Killoran, Fleur Huges, or to the MTAA board.
QUESTIONS? Please contact info@mtaa.ca