Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) Practice Exam

After finding a client absent from a music therapy group, what should a therapist do next?

1. Document the absence

2. Discharge the client from therapy

3. Modify the treatment plan for the client

4. Discuss the absence in the next session

The correct answer is: Document the absence

Documenting the absence is a crucial next step for a therapist after finding a client missing from a music therapy group. This action is important for various reasons. First, it creates a record of attendance, which helps maintain accurate documentation of client engagement and therapy effectiveness over time. This record can provide valuable insights into patterns in attendance, which may inform future treatment approaches. Additionally, documenting the absence helps the therapist track any potential issues that may be affecting the client, such as inconsistent attendance possibly reflecting underlying problems that could be addressed in therapy sessions. When a therapist has a clear history of attendance, they can more effectively balance the therapeutic needs of the client with the requirements of the treatment process. By choosing to discharge the client, modify the treatment plan immediately, or discuss the absence in the next session instead of documenting it, there may be a missed opportunity to gather essential information that could impact the client's overall therapeutic journey. It's crucial for therapists to have a well-documented account of each client's attendance to make informed decisions moving forward.