Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1451559
ASSIGN A VOLUNTEER SAFETY OFFICER One of the most important things you can do is let someone know where you are at all times. This person can be your significant other, a family member, or a friend. Your safety officer would have access to your schedule and know your whereabouts at all times. They would have access to your client's name, address, and phone number (but no access to medical records). You should call or text your safety officer when you are on the way to your appointment to check in. You should inform your client that you need to call your safety officer and check in before you start the massage. This can be done while you are waiting for them to undress. Letting the client know that someone else knows where you are adds a layer of protection. When you are finished with the massage and in your car, you can check back in, let them know you are safe, and share where you are heading next. If you are in the middle of a massage and the client wants to extend the session (and you have the time to accommodate the request), you should tell the client you need to pause the session to make a quick call or send a text stating you will be ending at the new time and will check back in after the session is complete. RED FLAGS Red flags are those little alarms that go off in your head, warning you that this appointment or client isn't right for you or isn't looking for massage therapy services—they are looking for sex work or something of that nature. I see so many posts on Facebook from therapists asking if they should go massage a specific client, and they will screenshot the message that was sent to them. The responses are all over the place. Some therapists will say they see no issue and others will say there is no way they would go massage this person. You're the only person who knows your comfort level. If you receive a message from a client and you feel like you need to ask someone else if it is OK to massage that person, it's probably not OK. If a Client Asks for Your Photo or Sends a Photo of Themselves Your looks and their looks have nothing to do with your massage treatment. Do not send them a photo. You can simply ignore the message or respond that you work with referrals only. Don't waste your time telling them you are a professional massage therapist and that asking for a photo is inappropriate—they probably aren't looking for you specifically and are sending this message to many people at the same time. They do not care that you are offended by their messages. And nothing you say will change their behavior. If a Client Asks About Your Relationship Status Again, this is information they should not be concerned about. You should always keep your personal life private. This is about setting and keeping your professional boundaries. You can tell them you do not share that information with clients, in the same way you should not ask about their relationship status. If a Client Asks if Draping is Required State that your policy is draping is required. Clients might mention their regular therapist lets them be undraped or that they get hot when they are covered up L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 47