Ethics for Massage Therapists
Principles of Ethics - basic concepts of ethics, informed consent and boundaries
Transference and countertransference : These things will happen in a therapeutic relationship. They are not something to be feared or to get rid of as many might think. This is actually where much healing can happen on a much deeper level than just the skin and muscles. Learning about these concepts and really understanding the dynamics of relationships can help you build your massage practice in many ways.
Definitions of Transference – This is about the client! It will happen. It starts happening from the very minute that a client thinks about looking for a massage therapist and they haven’t even found you or your website.
Countertransference – This is about You. It isn’t about taking on the energy of a client as I once read in a popular book on marketing massage.
Projection for massage therapists. Projection is different from transference and countertransference but similar in a way. Projection is about having a feeling and ‘projecting’ onto someone else. It is a defense mechanism just like transference and counter transference. We have defenses when we don’t have clear boundaries.
The therapeutic relationship and what it means as far as being a massage therapist.
The Drama Triangle - The roles of the rescuer, victims and persecutor.
Issues with Helping : The Massage profession is part of the helping professions. People come to careers in massage to help others. This is the first issue of countertransference that a massage therapist will need to look at. Here is a questionnaire on Why/How do you help? to guide your studies.
More on How can I help? the book by Ram Dass
The Wounded Healer based on the myth of the wounded healer. Are we all wounded healers?
Enabling – vs being of service. How can we learn to be of service? What does it mean to be of service to others/our clients?
The people pleasing massage therapist.
Boundaries
Dealing with Erections on the Massage Table
More on erections on the massage table
Caretakers vs. Caregivers – There is a big difference! When we caregive, we see the person as whole.
Dual relationships
Listening skills
physical/emotional self care
Supervision
Supervision is one of the most mis-understood concepts mainly because of the word. When we think of supervisors at work, we think of someone telling us what to do. It could not be farther from the truth. It is about getting your need for being heard met so that you can become clearer about your relationship with your clients and be more of service to them rather than approaching the massage table to fix others. My goal is that one day, supervision will be required in massage school and getting regular ongoing supervision should be required CE.
How can I help? How do I help? Questionnaire that is helpful in looking at your issues around helping and being a massage therapist
Peer Groups
financial self care
Male Massage Therapists - Men in the massage profession have different challenges and issues than women.
Dealing with Burnout as a massage therapist
It is not about the massage technique!
