Embracing Excellence: A Positive Approach to Ethical Decision Making

Abstract

Ethics courses may provoke fear and uncertainty in art therapy students and practitioners if taught from a risk management perspective, which focuses on reducing therapist exposure to risk and avoiding harm to clients. In contrast, a positive ethical approach fosters empowerment, embraces limits, and enhances trust between art therapists and their clients. This viewpoint emphasizes the aspirational qualities of the ethical principles that guide professionals within the field, with a goal to reduce fear about ethical decision making and to encourage art therapists to strive for excellence in all endeavors.

Acknowledgments

Editor's Note: Lisa D. Hinz, PhD, ATR, is a clinical psychologist and an adjunct instructor of art therapy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Terre Haute, IN.