business opportunity, regardless of the reason? Any dual role or relationship may impair objectivity or therapeutic effectiveness, permit exploitation, or create an actual, apparent, or potential conflict of interest. Furthermore, engaging in any business besides massage therapy with Terminating a professional relationship If therapists feel it is appropriate, either because a specified, finite course of treatment with a client is concluding, or because they believe the relationship with the client has become dysfunctional, unproductive, or emotionally damaging, it may be necessary to terminate the professional relationship with the client. While this can be a difficult and uncomfortable task, it should not be postponed out of a desire to avoid confrontation or discomfort (Giroud, 2014). Terminating a potentially damaging relationship is an important professional obligation with specific responsibilities. Practitioners must realistically assess their own limitations and/or their client’s potential for therapeutic benefits, and make a determination in their client’s best interests, without feelings of failure or guilt. Therapists must develop a plan for termination that is considerate of the client, understanding that the client may receive the news with emotion or distress. Informed consent provides a framework for termination because it specifies the need for an ongoing discussion between the client and practitioner regarding the expected goals and anticipated timeline for therapeutic benefits. Therapists should involve clients in the process so they are aware of treatment objectives and can ask questions and make determinations about clients’ progress toward them. Therapists should discuss obstacles to client progress as they come up, so the client is not surprised by an unexpected pronouncement or abrupt changes in assessment of the client’s condition from one session to the next. Therapists should follow customary procedures for client assessment, and document relevant information about the client’s progress or lack of progress toward treatment goals (Giroud, 2014). Sexuality and massage Sexual misconduct, one of the most egregious examples of inappropriate behavior, refers to any sexual activity between the massage therapist and client. While women are less likely than men to be accused of sexual misconduct, they are not immune to such allegations. Some practitioners employ strategies of avoidance, ignoring the issue of sexuality entirely, either consciously or unconsciously, due to their own embarrassment or discomfort with the topic. While this approach may save an awkward moment or two, an inability or refusal to address the subject when necessary (ignoring signs of sexual arousal, for example) may not only be inappropriate but professionally irresponsible and a breach of ethical conduct. Strategies for client safety The emotional, financial, and legal consequences of professional misconduct for both the client and professional community are profound. Preventive policies should include an educational component that explains power dynamics in the therapeutic session, what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate conduct with individuals of the same and opposite genders, and strategies for speaking and acting in ways that delineate and reinforce appropriate boundaries (Fritz & Fritz, 2020). For massage therapists to ensure clients’ safety, they must actively and consciously desexualize the experience of massage; that is, make something with potential sexuality no longer sexual, de-emphasizing that dimension. Desexualizing massage is a process of deconstructing
this client may lead to other conflicts, such as the lending and borrowing of money, gift giving, soliciting donations, and the unsolicited marketing of massage to other business partners. Maintaining proper boundaries is critical to the effective and ethical practice of massage therapy. Before terminating the client, therapists should: ● Consult appropriate informational resources and supervising personnel. They can also contact a professional colleague or supervisor about the situation with the client, post a question on a professional massage therapy website, or refer to professional organizations with which they are affiliated. Therapists may be able to find an alternative to terminating the client, or a sensitive way to present the issue. If therapists appeal to any of these resources, they must maintain strict rules of confidentiality and privacy, ensuring that the client’s name or other identifying information is never revealed. ● Do a reality check. Therapists should make sure that they are “on the same page” as the client. Therapists should compare their understanding of a therapeutic relationship with the client’s, and discuss disparities in the way the relationship is perceived, difficulties, and desired objectives. This kind of clarification can help to determine the scope of the problem and whether it is the result of miscommunication or misinterpretation, something that can be remedied or requires termination. If it is necessary to terminate the client, therapists should ensure it is done when they have sufficient time to discuss the subject fully. Massage therapists should take the time to respond to any questions the client may have, and give the client sufficient time to react to the news, respond to it, and regain composure. Massage therapists should try to leave the client with positive feelings about them and the practice of massage therapy. In addition, therapists can provide referrals to other massage practitioners or healthcare professionals, as appropriate (Giroud, 2014). the massage experience into its component parts, acknowledging human sexuality as a given, and accepting the practitioner and client as sexual beings (Fritz & Fritz, 2020). It is natural for clients to feel some degree of anxiety or insecurity related to the process of disrobing and draping. Massage therapists can minimize anxiety or concern by stating and/or providing written information regarding disrobing. Before the client undresses, therapists should state that a draping procedure is required for purposes of modesty and physical comfort. Therapists can also mention or have a written notice that explains draping; that it will cover all parts of the client’s body except the specific area receiving attention. Once therapists finish work in that area, they will re-cover it and move to the next area. Massage therapists can tell clients to let them know if they have a question or concern or feel uncomfortable in any way. If therapists encounter a client who prefers not to be draped, therapists should explain that they are unable to proceed with the session until the client agrees to this customary procedure (Fritz & Fritz, 2020). Therapists should explain to clients what can and cannot be removed or left on without impeding access to parts of the body that will receive therapeutic attention. Therapists should reassure the client that it is not necessary to remove any more clothing than personal comfort or modesty will allow. In addition, therapists should request that clients wait to undress until after they have left the room. Therapists
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