Ethics are the heart of a massage business. When I first studied ethics in massage school, I didn’t really see the value of it. The more I learned about ethics, boundaries and creating a massage practice that supported me in my values the more successful I became as a massage therapist.
Ethics are what let you know what you value and honor. Creating a massage business based on your own personal and professional ethics can help you in succeeding in your career.
The clearer you get about who you are and what you do in a massage session, the better your work. Creating your vision of an ideal massage client is the place to start in figuring out your own ethics. It will help you in making the most effective decisions. It will help you in deciding on what clients to take and not take. ( Yes you can choose!) When you work on less than your ideal client you will often end up feeling drained and resentful even. When you start to focus on working on only clients that are nurturing to you you build your self confidence and self esteem which shows up in everything that you do -especially when you touch someone doing a massage.
Choosing to work on your ideal client is a challenge. It can often mean not working and not getting paid that hour or day. People who are always late or canceling at the last minute can be draining. You think you might be doing them a service when you allow them to continue being your client thinking it is getting you money. Not having those clients take up your time will free up your energy and help nurture you while you take the actions to find your ideal client.
Terri Yardly Noir puts it this way in her book “Ethics for Massage Therapists”
Clients, other health professionals, and the general public will gain a stronger respect for you when they understand the benefits of massage and see how your values and beliefs are a part of who you are as a practitioner. Your foundation needs to encompass not only massage skills and techniques but also your beliefs and values. It is important to present to others a strong foundation so that they feel they will be treated in an effective and safe way.
Making ethical decisions can go along way in supporting your massage business. You will be constantly challenged with almost every client. It is important to get ongoing support in discovering and standing up for your values and beliefs. You can get more of that in email, phone or Skype Consultations. Most problems that you are faced with in building your career are usually related to some issue of integrity with your values. They can be cleared up by getting regular support in the form of consultations/supervision. Learn more.
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