Foundation of Ethics 

 

Boundaries are limits, and they may be used in physical, emotional, financial or any other areas of one's life. Charles Whitfield describes boundaries as “How far we can go with comfort in a relationship”. 

 

Professional boundaries, including the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, define what is and is not acceptable behavior between a therapist and his or her clients.

In any profession, especially massage therapy, it is important for each practitioner to set boundaries, according to his or her comfort.  In return, the therapists must also respect their clients’ boundaries. Consistent, comfortable boundaries on both sides of the relationship create a safe environment from which both parties can benefit.

Because of the nurturing and caring nature of the massage profession, many therapists are kind-hearted, empathetic people who genuinely want to help their clients. Sometimes these qualities are the same that cause therapists to “bend” their boundaries. However, experience teaches us that when we do this, it creates behaviors that often interfere with the safety of the therapeutic environment for the client or the therapist.   Often this ultimately prevents the client from receiving the full benefits of our work. “Boundaries are a kindness to a vulnerable client.”  This is a beautifully stated quote from Nina McIntosh, Author of The Educated Heart.

 

When we bend our professional boundaries, we encourage others to perceive and treat us as nonprofessionals and are doing both ourselves and our clients an injustice.  Therefore, we encourage therapists to enforce their personal and professional boundaries consistently.

 

A few examples of some basic healthy boundaries for a professional massage therapist are:

 

•Sessions start and end on time

•Sessions are confidential, meaning that the therapist does not reveal any information obtained during the session including  the client's identity

•Sessions are client-focused.  Any discussion that occurs during the session is centered around the  needs of the client, not the therapist

•No sexual behavior, conversation or innuendos occur in the therapy room

The study of ethics and boundaries can be difficult because we aren’t always dealing with black and white issues.  There are many shades of gray here.  That being said, there are some basic non-negotiable issues when it comes to the massage profession.   Here are some central questions to ask yourself to keep you on track.  The following are paraphrased from the book: The Educated Heart: Professional Guidelines for Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers and Movement Teachers (McIntosh,1999).

•Is my intent focused on the safety and well-being of the client?

•Am I respectful of the imbalance of power or am I using this to my advantage?

•Does this create a dual relationship or make the therapeutic relationship less

•Are my actions congruent within my original contract with the client?

•How could this action lead to problems in the future?

Both the therapist and the client have certain rights and responsibilities for the protection of a mutually safe therapeutic environment.

 

Reflection:

 

List three boundaries you set for you and your clients in your massage therapy practice:

1._____________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________

 

 

Here are a few reasons why ethics and professional boundaries are important for each massage therapist to learn, and why they will be reiterated several times throughout your career.

Understanding and implementing ethical practices is to your benefit. We often cannot anticipate our future relationships.  What might not seem to be a “big deal” today may become amplified if circumstances were to change.  If you are unclear with a client that is crossing your boundaries, it allows room for misinterpretation, confusion and discomfort for all involved.  If not handled effectively, this can cause emotional harm to the client.  These situations can become tricky.  You must use care and caution to protect your reputation and career.

 

It’s to the clients’ benefits for you to treat them ethically and professionally. Clients place their trust in therapists and often have very little education with which to question their practitioner’s methods.  It is essential that your client has a voice in their treatment.  Clients purchase massage services to experience relief from physical and emotional tension, not to exacerbate it.

 

Ethical behavior benefits the massage and bodywork professions. The better that the massage therapists as a group apply their knowledge, ethics, and professionalism, the better the public, and the other health professionals will give us due respect and credit.  It’s no secret that massage therapists have fought hard to maintain their reputation over the years, and the actions of individual therapists, can either strengthen or weaken that cause.

 

Reflection:

 

In your own life have you or someone you know had an experience with a professional that you thought was unethical? Describe the situation, circumstances and outcome.

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