Professional Boundaries in Massage
A Review of The Educated Heart for Bodyworkers and Therapists
In any massage, bodywork or movement therapy business it is important to portray a professional attitude and maintain proper boundaries. The Educated Heart can help.
The Educated Heart: Professional Boundaries for Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers and Movement Teachers by Nina McIntosh is a handbook for manual therapy fields on how to care for the client, without creating inappropriate boundaries, or lack thereof. Published by Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins as part of their In Touch Series, The Educated Heart is a must read book for massage students and experienced therapists alike.
Is there a need for professional boundaries in massage therapy work?
Absolutely! Massage therapists and other touch therapists need to be sure to establish proper boundaries. Nina McIntosh says, "Massage therapists do need to be more aware than do other occupations of boundaries and of using them to create an emotionally and psychologically and physically safe space for clients. "
What is the "power difference" between clients and massage therapists?
The balance of power refers to the fact that, even if unintended, a massage therapist is in a position of authority and power over a massage client simply by physical cues and the nature of a client/massage therapist relationship. The Educated Heart discusses how clients can feel vulnerable when compared to the therapist; lying on the table vs standing, naked or half-clothed vs fully clothed, etc. and the possibility of transference and counter-transference. The handbook then includes some excellent tips for ways that bodyworkers can prevent any misuse of this power and keep their boundaries clear.
How can we protect our clients and ourselves with good sexual boundaries?
McIntosh says, "The most dangerous boundary crossings are, of course, sexual. I mentioned above one way that an uneducated or unscrupulous therapist can take advantage of a client. Some therapists, that I call predators, take advantage of the vulnerability of clients who are on the table. These boundary crossings are the most disastrous for the client and for the reputation of the therapist and of the profession."
By establishing clear cut boundaries massage therapists are less likely to have clients misunderstand their intension or have to deal with confusing, sometimes harmful, situations. These situations are very rare for most massage therapists but they can be devastating to a career so boundaries are a vital part of any business plan.
Why are financial boundaries so important for massage therapists?
When it comes to money it is sometimes difficult for massage therapists to be clear and firm in their boundaries. Many bodyworkers are inherently caring people and sometimes feel charging a fee takes away from the art of their work. On the other hand, there are some massage therapists who graduate massage school with little specialized skill, but expect to make huge amounts of money. The Educated Heart helps guide massage therapists in answering questions such as what to do in the case of a client who doesn't call or show up for the appointment, if and when to offer discounts, how to handle gift certificates and other potentially sticky situations.
Dual Relationships and Massage Therapy
It can be even more difficult to maintain clear and professional boundaries when the client is also a friend, relative or loved one. The Educated Heart spends quite a bit of time helping massage therapists understand the potential danger of dual relationships and how to handle them, or avoid them.
What is the most common massage customer complaint?
Suite101 Feature Writer and licensed massage therapist, Angela England asked Nina McIntosh what the most frequently heard complaint was about massage therapists overstepping professional boundaries and she responded, "Without a doubt, the most common complaint I've heard from clients is about therapists who talk too much about themselves during a session."
The Educated Heart: Professional Boundaries for Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers and Movement Teachers by Nina McIntosh should be a must-read for every massage therapist and a standard text of massage schools.
For tips on establishing good boundaries from the beginning of the relationship with the client see How to Have a Strong Intake Procedure.
