When a massage therapist crosses the line?

Author: Liza Wintheiser  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 20, 2023

A boundary violation occurs when a therapist crosses the line of decency and integrity and misuses his/her power to exploit a client for the therapist's own benefit. Such may involve exploitative business (e.g., operating outside of one's scope of practice) or sexual violations.

What is considered a boundary in massage?

“Four common boundary areas in massage therapy include physical, emotional, professional and social,” Nelson says. “These areas often overlap and influence one another.”

What happens if you get turned on during a massage?

Reflexive erections, a normal physiological response to touch, relaxation, etc., can go away within minutes. Massage therapist know this and will often simply ignore an erection during a session, as long as the client is behaving appropriately.

What should you not say to a massage therapist?

What NOT to Say / Do with Your Massage Therapist
  • Ask your massage therapist to go see a movie / come to your house / etc. ...
  • Excessive noises. ...
  • Comment on our looks/attractiveness. ...
  • Poke your head out of the room to let us know you're ready. ...
  • Start undressing while we are still in the room. ...
  • Touch us.

Under what circumstances can massage therapists legally breach confidentiality?

Circumstances in which we can legally breach confidentiality—and, in fact, are often obligated to—are those in which there is clear and imminent danger to the client or others, there is suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child or incapacitated person, or there is a medical emergency.

9 Investigates: Massage therapists crossing the line

What are the 3 exceptions to confidentiality?

Which Circumstances Are Exempt from Confidentiality?
  • The client is an imminent and violent threat towards themselves or others.
  • There is a billing situation which requires a condoned disclosure.
  • Sharing information is necessary to facilitate client care across multiple providers.

What are therapists not allowed to do?

All therapists are legally required to maintain confidentiality for their clients. Confidentiality means that a therapist cannot confirm or deny even treating the client if someone asks. Furthermore, they cannot discuss any revealing contact information, such as a client's name or demographics, outside of the session.

Is it rude not to tip a massage therapist?

Since tips are standard protocol for massage therapists, you should assume a 20 percent tip in any massage or spa treatment situation (unless a self-employed therapist specifically tells you their rate is all-inclusive). Not sure? When in doubt, always ask, says Post, who says tipping is always appreciated.

How much do you tip a massage therapist?

We spoke to two etiquette experts, who suggested leaving a 15% to 20% tip, if you're able. Twenty percent is generous for the massage therapist and easy on the brain, which may be feeling more relaxed than ever after a massage. The math is straightforward. To find 20%, start by finding 10%, then double that amount.

How do you know if a massage therapist is good?

As mentioned earlier, a good massage therapist must show a genuine interest in clients' health and well-being. They must possess the ability to use different modalities/approaches to address clients' needs. They must provide an ethical and professional environment for the client at all times.

What is the ultimate boundary violation in massage therapy?

A boundary violation occurs when a therapist crosses the line of decency and integrity and misuses his/her power to exploit a client for the therapist's own benefit. Such may involve exploitative business (e.g., operating outside of one's scope of practice) or sexual violations.

Is it OK to hug your massage therapist?

If you believe you're safe and comfortable with a hug from your therapist, it doesn't hurt to ask for one. Of course, your therapist has a right to say no.

What are the five main types of boundary violations?

You could probably list some obvious boundary violations, such as nonconsensual touch, name-calling, unsolicited advice, taking what's not given, and sharing confidential information without permission.

What is the average tip for a 60-minute massage?

In general, the 20% rule applies to tipping your massage therapist. So, if you're wondering how much to tip for a $100 massage, you'd want to tip $20. If you're considering how much to tip for a 60-minute massage (that costs $100) – you'd still tip $20.

Is it OK to fall asleep during a massage?

First things first, it's ok to fall asleep during your massage! It's your body's way of getting into a deep relaxation, and a sign that you were due for some extra self-care time.

How much do you tip for a $90 massage?

How much do you tip a massage therapist at a spa? The standard rate to tip a massage at a spa is 20%. For instance, a body treatment that costs $100 would add a 20% tip of $20.

Is it rude to talk during a massage?

If you want to be completely silent, go for it. If you want to talk a little, but not the entire time, that's fine too. What a lot of clients tend to forget, is it's your time. Whether you're getting a 15 minute chair massage or a two hour full body massage, how much conversation there is, is completely up to you.

What not to do before a massage?

Ten Things Not To Do Before a Massage
  • Don't Sunburn. ...
  • Don't "Caffeinate" ...
  • Don't Eat a Large Meal. ...
  • Don't Run a Marathon. ...
  • Don't Apply Lotion or Oil. ...
  • Don't Apply Topical Medications, Patches or Tapes. ...
  • Don't Take Prescription Pain Medication.

How often should you get a massage?

To keep your body in good condition and maintain health, we recommend getting a massage every 3-4 weeks. This will help to prevent injury, pain, and tension build-up in the muscle fibers, as well as address any other issue before it becomes serious.

What are red flags in a therapist?

What should therapists NOT do?
  • Behave unethically. ...
  • Take you as a client if they don't specialize in your issue. ...
  • Overshare about themselves. ...
  • Leave you feeling worse after your session – regularly. ...
  • Make you feel judged, shamed, or emotionally exposed. ...
  • Disrupt the session by divided attention. ...
  • You just don't feel “right”

What therapists don t tell you?

10 Things Your Therapist May Not Tell You
  • We see tears every day. ...
  • We learn a lot from you. ...
  • We can't always help you. ...
  • We may do some re-parenting with you. ...
  • We are very strict about confidentiality. ...
  • We don't want to send you to a psychiatric hospital. ...
  • We don't take credit for your success.

What is inappropriate for a therapist?

If a therapist talks excessively about themselves or overly discloses personal information, cannot accept constructive criticism, or refuses to discuss what the process will be like and what kind of progress can reasonably be expected, they are likely not the best choice for most clients.

What to do if your therapist breaks confidentiality?

If this happens to you — if you are certain that your therapist has violated your confidentiality in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable and does not have to do with your treatment, you can report him or her to the state licensing board for psychology.

What is considered a violation of confidentiality?

A breach of confidentiality occurs when information given in confidence is disclosed to a third party without consent. Most confidentiality breaches happen accidentally. Regardless, those affected can still face financial losses and reputational damage as a result.

What is the most common breach of confidentiality?

The most common patient confidentiality breaches fall into two categories: employee mistakes and unsecured access to PHI.

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