KARIE BILGER, BMT, MTAVICE-PRESIDENT, MTAO

UNIVERSITY OF WINDSORMUSIC THERAPY STUDENT CONFERENCE

MARCH 14, 2009

“Promoting, developing, and supporting the profession of Music Therapy in Ontario”

What is MTAO?

The Music Therapy Association of Ontario (MTAO) serves as a unifying body for Music Therapists: promoting, developing, and supporting the profession of Music Therapy in the province of Ontario.

We aim to protect the status of the profession, promote ethical practice, share information and uphold the professional and educational standards of Music Therapy in Ontario.

MTAO is a provincial chapter of the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT)

How Does MTAO Work?

BOARD

COMMITTEES

SHORT-TERM VOLUNTEERS

All positions

are voluntary!!

What Does MTAO Do?

Provincial Link to CAMT

Government Regulation of Music Therapy Coalition of Mental

Health ProfessionalsProvincial Music

Therapy ConferenceStudent/Intern SupportWebsiteNewsletterJob Referral Service

Promotion/Advocacy of Profession (MTAO Brochure)

Promotion of Ethical Practice

Fee SchedulePrivate Practice

PackageMembership Directory2011 World Congress

of Music Therapy (Waterloo) Bid

Government Regulation

MTAO is part of The Coalition of Mental Health Professionals. This

organization is working to build a system where Coalition members will

bring government recognition and thereby regulation to

counselling/psychotherapy practitioners such as music therapists.

Regulation Background

Currently Music Therapy is not a “protected” service anywhere in Canada

Music Therapy is not recognized by the government as a healthcare profession

Currently anyone can legally call themselves a “Music Therapist” whether they have the training or not

Healthcare is under provincial jurisdiction, therefore is regulated on a provincial level

Health professionals such as Doctors, Nurses, Psychologists and Social Workers are protected and regulated by “Colleges”

MTAO joined the Coalition of Mental Health Professionals

Regulation Background

The Coalition is made up of 13 groups whose members are also seeking recognition and title protection from the government

The Coalition is working to protect mental health services so that only qualified professionals who are members of the Coalition can provide care to the vulnerable public

The Coalition lobbied the government and won! Bill 171 became law in 2007 and now the Transitional Council is being put together by the government to develop the Ontario College of Psychotherapy

MTAO has submitted applicants to the Transitional Council hiring process

Regulation-What Can Students Do?

JOIN MTAO!!! The more members MTAO has, the stronger it is as an organization. ONLY MTAO members will benefit from the Coalition of Mental Health Professionals’ efforts

Stay up-to-date on Coalition activities and volunteer/help out whenever possible-your assistance may be needed at any time throughout the process More Information about the Coalition:

http://www.mentalhealthcoalition.ca/

What Does MTAO Do for Students & Interns?

MTAO Annual General Meeting and Conference Facilitates billeting of students to

attend Student/Internship Supervisor

Networking SessionStudent/Intern Support and NetworkingStudent Sponsorship to CAMT

Conference

How Can Students Get Involved in MTAO?

Join!!! MTAO only works if music therapists join the association!

Write for the Newsletter: The newsletter is for music therapists by music therapists.

Volunteer: Many hands make lighter work-all MTAO positions are voluntary, so everyone’s help is needed.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!Attend the MTAO Annual General Meeting

and Conference!!Saturday, November 7, 2009

8:30am-5:00pm Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo)

Internship Networking! Workshops!

Contact/Join MTAO

Mail:4936 Yonge Street Suite

325Toronto, Ontario

M2N 6S3(905) 828-0553

Web: www.mtao.orgEmail: info@mtao.orgFacebook: MT Ontario

Student Liaison: Jennifer Kong

jenne@playinmusic.net

Vice-President: Karie Bilger

sound_expressions@hotmail.com