Competence.
There are many risks involved even when one provide accurate, competent information to the general public (and these will be discussed in more detail later in this section). These risks are exacerbated when the music therapist providing the information does so in an incompetent manner, The music therapist should have sufficient expertise to address the publicized topic, and if not, should ethically refer the interviewer to another music therapist. Because interviewers are often pressed for time, they may exert pressure on the therapist to provide this information, and the music therapist should resist yielding to tbis urgency. The present author has had many requests for information from the media throughout the years, and has always been acutely aware of the limits of her expertise. For example, requests for information on music therapy for medical problems would most certainly be answered; information regarding music therapy for the hearing impaired would be referred to another therapist. The present author has had occasional urgent phone calls from former students and other professionals who have been asked to do media interviews and have no idea what to say on the topic! If the music therapist does not know a music therapist who has expertise on the topic, it is a safe practice to refer the interviewer to the American Music Therapy Association, The AMTA office staff are skilled in directing the media to experienced music therapists in a variety of clinical areas. The music therapist should accurately state his or her credentials and should ascertain that these are cited correctly in the media materials. For example, it is irresponsible ethically to allow oneselfto be identified as "Dr." when this credential has not been earned. Furthermore, the music therapist should be most cautious in providing information on behalf of any person or organization other than him or herself personally. In other words, unless specifically authorized to do so, the music therapist may not serve as the spokesperson for the music therapy profession or association. Direct and repeated statements to this effect to the interviewer are appropriate.