MM Chapter 07: The Therapeutic Relationship

A boundary violation occurs when one person disregards another’s boundary and interferes with the other’s personal space. You could cause harm to a client through simple carelessness. For example, you might say something that you view as harmless such as, “Your muscle is less dense than it used to be. It’s probably because you don’t […]

Each type of boundary (permeable, semipermeable, or impermeable) can take a different form depending on the area it relates to. Boundary forms can be categorized as physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and sexual. Physical Boundaries Physical boundaries refer to the amount of space we need around us to feel comfortable, as described previously. Physical boundaries can

Your boundaries constantly fluctuate based on the circumstances in which you find yourself. You have to decide how much to share, when to share, when not to share, when to protect yourself, and when it is safe to be vulnerable. In The Ethics of Touch, authors Cherie Sohnen-Moe and Ben Benjamin explain the fluctuations in

Personal space has been named and defined in different ways by various authors and psychologists. In this textbook, “personal space” is understood as the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual space people “hold” around themselves. It also refers to a person’s “territory,” such as possessions like clothes, toiletries, car, home, furniture, books, and other personal items.

You are not expected to recognize all of the psychological defense mechanisms of clients. Still, by understanding client defenses, you can better recognize the dynamics at play in a massage session.  The most important thing you can do for clients is provide a safe and non-judgmental environment and encourage clients to develop their awareness of

Psychological defense mechanisms are mental processes that enable the mind to deal with conflicts it can’t resolve. Every person learns some type of psychological defense from normal experiences in life. For example, anxiety, such as the concern that one might lose control of urges, needs, or desires resulting in shame or punishment for inappropriate behavior,

Counter-transference is the opposite of transference. It is a psychological dynamic in which the therapist tries to personalize the therapeutic relationship. Sometimes this happens if therapists perceive the client as like themselves, someone from the past, or another client.  Subconsciously, the therapist tries to work out unresolved needs or feelings through the client. For example,

Transference is a normal subconscious psychological phenomenon that occurs when there is a power differential. Clients try to establish the therapist in a place of importance in their personal life (Fig. 7-2).  Figure 7-2. Transference: The client tries to establish the therapist in a place of importance in his or her personal life. One behavior

In massage, a power differential is the authority a client grants a massage therapist based on the client’s perception of the massage therapist as a knowledgeable and skilled health care provider. Take a moment to contemplate your relationship with these people: parent, boss, best friend, physician, teacher, counselor, spiritual leader, or spouse. Each of these

Massage sessions are intimate experiences in which the client and therapist share a common goal. They are moments when instantaneous transformations can take place, new insights are gained, and laughter is shared. Sometimes a session shifts a client’s body, and suddenly pain, experienced for years is eliminated or significantly reduced. In some cases, massage is