TARDINESS
CANCELLATION
INFORMED CONSENT
SPECIAL NEEDS
CHILDREN
CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONVERSATION
EXISTING AND NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
PROFESSIONALISM
RESPECT FOR CLIENT'S NEEDS AND BOUNDARIES
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
RIGHT OF REFUSAL
PAYMENT
AMENDMENTS TO POLICIES
I will allot 20 minutes of time before and after the scheduled session to allow adequate time for set up and clean up. I will start the client’s appointment on time and end as scheduled. Intake time is not included in the massage time. The client’s scheduled massage begins as soon as the client prepares themselves for treatment.
The client cannot change their requested service without sufficient reason.
If the client is late for their scheduled appointment, without sufficient reason, the client forfeits that time from his/her massage and the appointment will end as scheduled. The client will be charged the full price of the originally scheduled treatment.
If I, the therapist, am tardy for the appointment, the client will be given his/her full treatment as requested. If that is not possible for either party, the client will be discounted on that massage appointment.
Please give at least a 24-hour notice upon the cancellation of an appointment. I will message the day before the scheduled appointment to confirm a massage appointment.
Prior to each appointment a plan will be discussed with the client. At each visit, you will be asked to sign the treatment consent form stating that you have read the information, understand it, and agree to comply with professional massage therapy policies and procedures.
Even clients that are physically, emotionally or psychologically handicapped have the right to accept and refuse treatment. I, as a massage therapist, will do my best to communicate my intentions for your care and to “listen” to any social cues as to what the client would prefer for his/her session. Special circumstances such as these require patience and flexibility.
Clients who are physically handicapped and are dependent should be accompanied by a caregiver during the session, as I am not a trained health care provider.
Clients who are emotionally or psychologically handicapped and are dependent should also be accompanied by a caregiver. The caregiver may feel the need to speak for the client on their behalf, but it is also important that the client receiving the treatment expresses his/her wishes with me, so I can give them a comfortable experience of massage therapy.
Children under the age of 18: Must have a parent/legal guardian present at the residence during the entirety of the massage treatment and must also give written consent for the child to receive a massage.
Furthermore:
Children age 15 and under: Must have a parent/legal guardian in the massage room during treatment. These children will remain clothed and instead be asked to wear comfortable clothing for massage, ie: shorts, t-shirt, tank top, leggings, etc.
Children age 16-17: If the parent/legal guardian and the child are comfortable with the child being in the treatment room by themselves, they must both sign the appropriate form.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONVERSATION
All client visits and conditions are treated as confidential. As such, I will not discuss your visit with anybody without your express permission.
You may choose not to talk during the massage. Conversation will be guided by the client’s direction. During sessions, clients are encouraged to relax and inform the practitioner immediately if anything makes them uncomfortable, either physically or psychologically, so adjustments can be made.
EXISTING AND NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Your first session will begin with a brief review of your health history, focusing on problematic or painful areas. This is an important process to determine the course of treatment that will best meet your needs. During this time you will need to disclose information about your health history in order to rule out any contraindications for massage. In some cases, you may be asked to provide a written release from your primary care physician in order to receive massage. Keep in mind that your medical records will be held confidential. In some cases, the information from your chart may be shared with other health care providers, but only with your written permission.
It is the responsibility of the client to keep the massage therapist informed of any medical treatment currently being taken and to provide written permission from a physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, etc that the massage may be continued. The client must also keep the massage therapist informed of any changes in health conditions.
For clients undergoing chemo and radiation therapies – Please note that I require a doctor’s note that states the doctor is aware of and agrees to the desired treatment.
I am a licensed professional held to the highest standards of the American Massage Therapy Association. Massage therapy is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well being of the client.
Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) DO NOT DIAGNOSE OR PRESCRIBE for medical conditions. I only perform services for which I am qualified professionally, physically, and emotionally. Referrals to the appropriate specialists are made when working with a client who is not within my scope of practice. My services are not intended as an alternative for proper medical attention for specific conditions. Please refer to a medical doctor for any specific condition which requires medical treatment.
All clients are treated with respect regardless of their age, gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, body type, political affiliation, state of health, or personal habits.
I will not engage with any client in intimate social or personal relationships. Personal and professional boundaries are respected at all times.
RESPECT FOR CLIENT NEEDS AND BOUNDARIES
I am happy to adjust pressure, temperature, music volume, or work longer on an area if you request it. You may choose to: leave on as much clothing as needed for comfort, refuse any massage methods, or stop massage at any time.
The client will always be modestly draped. Only the area being massaged will be undraped. If for some reason, you feel unsafe with this draping style, it will be adjusted to your comfort level. The goal here is to allow you to feel safe and warm.
There is zero tolerance for sexual harassment in my massage practice. Sexual interaction or discussion of any kind between the client and myself is NEVER appropriate. Requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated, will be viewed as solicitation, and reported to the proper authorities under the guidelines of the massage therapy policies and procedures. The client will not be rescheduled if this occurs.
The profession of massage therapy ascribes to a code of ethical behavior, and I believe firmly in adhering to those ethical standards.
I reserve the right to refuse service for any reason. I reserve the right to refrain from performing massage on clients who appear under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Payment for all services is due at the time of service. Cash, checks or cards are accepted.
Many insurance carriers now cover massage therapy. If you have insurance, you must still pay for your visit. Upon request, you may be provided with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. It is recommended that you call your insurance company to find out if massage therapy services are covered and if there are any restrictions such as needing a prescription from your primary care physician.
I reserve the right to change, add to, or modify any or all of the above policies with or without notice to the client. Up-to-date policies can be viewed anytime.
