Massage & Bodywork

JULY | AUGUST 2021

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76 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k j u l y/a u g u s t 2 0 2 1 2 SPOT THE RED FLAGS Become adept at spotting any red flags, either subtle or blatant, that a client may be looking for a "happy ending." Be aware of code words, behaviors, and hints that solicitors may use to "bait the hook" and push boundaries to see how far they can go with you. If a client is looking for an illegal service, they may not just come out and ask for it. They may hint at it in ways that could go over the head of a therapist who does not know what to look for. (Note: The Respect Massage Ethics Course has a complete list of red flags, so you can spot a solicitor from a mile away and keep them from even getting on your schedule.) 3 MAKE MESSAGING CLEAR Be mindful of the words you use in your marketing. Never include words like sex, sexual, happy, or ending in your social media or on your website. Google does not know you are using those words as a deterrent, and you could end up in searches that include those words. The Respect Massage Zero Tolerance logo is a simple, clear way to say your practice does not provide any sort of sexual experience. The logo is available free of charge along with a free membership at respectmassage.com. Place the logo on your website as a deterrent for solicitors. At respectmassage.com/clients, there is a policy you are welcome to use to accompany the logo. This policy describes what it means to be a Respect Massage member and is carefully worded to avoid any unwanted buzzwords that could potentially associate your practice with sexual massage. 1 SCREEN EVERY CLIENT If you screen all your clients before scheduling them, you will keep the majority of unwanted customers from ever stepping foot in your office. Look at it this way: If you make the scheduling process a bit of a chore—as in having to take a few steps to get on your schedule—it will attract serious, invested clients to your practice. Making the booking process a commitment attracts clients who are committed to working with you and following your treatment plan. • Ask screening questions before scheduling a client. Ask them about their goals and expectations for massage therapy. This screening sets the tone that you have a medically based, therapeutic practice. • Gather personal information up front. Someone looking to commit an illegal act may want to avoid giving confidential information, and this could keep them from booking. If a new client is hesitant to give you their address or last name, that should be a major red flag. • Hold a credit card. Some therapists choose to hold a form of payment on file—or even a copy of the new client's driver's license—when booking a first-time appointment. • Pre-fill the intake form. Some therapists have clients fill out an intake form online before their first appointment. Use what works for your specific practice and clients. Keep in mind, most of your clients are well- meaning, so the barriers should be there to deter and stop solicitors, not to make scheduling so cumbersome that you lose your dream clients. Gather personal information up front. Someone looking to commit an illegal act may want to avoid giving confidential information, and this could keep them from booking.

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