This Code of Ethics reflects the ethical principles and values of the National Association for Drama Therapy (NADTA).
CLICK HERE FOR THE NADTA CODE OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

The NADTA mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence in the field of drama therapy. All drama therapists who are members of the NADTA are responsible to ensure that they are familiar with this Code of Ethics, understand its application to their professional conduct, and strive to adhere to its principles and standards. To achieve this goal, drama therapists work together to resolve conflicts and maintain open and constructive communication. 

Ethics Questions and Concerns

Staff, the Ethics Chair and Ethics Committee are available to answer ethics questions from members, or questions from non-members about the ethical practice of drama therapy. Questions can be sent via email to: [email protected].

Ethics questions/concerns involving sexual and/or gender-based harassment or assault can be particularly difficult to share or discuss. If it would be helpful for you to speak with a committee member of a particular gender or sexual orientation, please contact Staff or the Ethics Chair, who can help you connect with a committee member who best matches your preference. You can request this without sharing the specifics of your concern or question.

We recognize there are other identities that could be central to an ethics concern, and we encourage anyone with a desire to talk to a committee member or other NADTA community member with a specific shared identity to contact Staff at [email protected] and all efforts will be made to find a suitable contact for informal consultation.

After any informal consultation, any concerns that a member or non-member complainant would like to raise as a formal ethics complaint will proceed according to the steps outlined below.

Submitting an Ethics Complaint

This information is intended to inform the public, along with members of the NADTA, of the steps to filing an ethics complaint. This information should be consulted alongside the NADTA Code of Ethical Principles.

An ethics complaint may be filed by anyone who witnesses an ethics violation. A complaint, however, may only be filed against a member of the NADTA. Prior to submitting an ethics complaint, we encourage you to address the drama therapist in question directly, and/or their supervisor. If this is not possible, or if mediating conversations have not successfully addressed the behavior in question, then proceed with filing an ethics complaint.

To file an ethics complaint against a member of the NADTA, please send the following information to the NADTA via the confidential Ethics fax number or by postal mail:

  • Name of the NADTA member
  • Your name and mailing address
  • A simple 1-line statement that you are interested in filing an ethics complaint
  • A brief statement of the behavior at issue

Send to:

NADTA - Ethics Committee
3739 National Drive, Suite 202
Raleigh, NC 27587
Ethics Fax Number: (646) 736-4612

Shortly after having received this information, Staff or the Ethics Chair will be in contact with you. Please note, to maintain confidentiality Staff/Ethics Chair/ Committee does not communicate by email regarding ethics complaint matters. Please use fax or postal mail. Please continue to use email, in addition to phone or fax, if you have an ethics-related question ([email protected]).

Following the submission of a formal complaint

  1. The complaint will be reviewed by Staff/the Ethics Committee who will determine if a case should be opened (i.e. the actions or behaviors observed are deemed to be a violation of Code) or if a case cannot be opened. If a case is not opened, the complainant will be notified within 30 days that the case has been closed. In some circumstances, the committee may refer the complainant to other regulating bodies or authorities.

  2. If a case is opened, the subject of the complaint will be sent a copy of the complaint in writing. The subject of the complaint has 30 days to respond in writing to the allegations. The subject of the complaint may seek the assistance of counsel, however, the documentation and/or evidence must be submitted in writing by the subject of the complaint and not a lawyer.

  3. Both the complaint and the response are forwarded to the Ethics Committee for review. The committee will determine if further investigation is needed.

  4. In the case that further investigation is needed, the Ethics Committee will gather the information necessary.

  5. Upon completion of the investigation, the committee will determine the remedial or disciplinary actions required (if any) and will write a report summarizing the committee’s findings, conclusions, and proposed action(s). Such actions may include, but are not limited to: formal mediation, mandatory supervision or continuing education, suspension or termination of one’s membership in the NADTA, or suspension or revocation of the RDT or RDT/BCT credential. This report is shared with the complainant and the subject of the complaint.

  6. In cases where the proposed action involves termination of membership or removal of the RDT or RDT/BCT credential, the complaint, response, and Ethics Committee report are then reviewed by the Board of Directors. The Board, by majority vote, will determine if this or other remedial or disciplinary action is to be taken with respect to the complaint.