Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice CE Package
A Continuing Education Package by Anne Williams and Eric Brown
Boundaries are the limits on other people's behavior to protect our personal space. They inform the people around us about what we find acceptable and unacceptable in their behaviors towards us. People with healthy boundaries know the types of behavior they are willing to allow and the types of behavior they are not willing to allow in relationships both personal and professional.
Professional boundaries identify the parameters of the therapeutic relationship. Massage therapists who understand these parameters know that shifts in boundaries are unsettling for clients. Simple gestures and seemingly trivial exchanges can take on amplified significance in therapeutic relationships where the massage practitioner holds a power advantage over the client.
Professional boundaries guide massage therapists towards behaviors that meet a client’s appropriate therapeutic needs and away from behaviors that might cause clients or themselves harm. Strong professional boundaries are the foundation of ethical massage practice.
In these three CE courses, we’ll explore boundaries in depth. We’ll come to know our personal boundaries better. We’ll also learn skills to establish and maintain our boundaries with others. These skills help us adhere to the boundaries that frame the structure of healthy therapeutic massage relationships.
When you purchase the Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice Package, you'll get the three CE courses listed below, worth a total of 12 NCBTMB-approved ethics CE, at a significant discount.
Not only will you save $60 over individual course purchases, but you'll also get the textbook as a free bonus (regularly $39). These courses never expire, so you can complete each course (4 hours of CE each) in the CE reporting years that you choose. Find out more about the individual courses in the descriptions lower on this webpage.
This package includes one digital textbook and three CE courses. See a detailed description of each of these items further down this webpage. Please note that courses must be taken in order.
- Digital Textbook: Boundaries: The Foundation of Ethical Massage Practice. With the Boundaries Package your subscription to this digital textbook never expires. You automatically receive all updates to textbook features and new editions.
- Course 01: Personal Space & Personal Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice. This continuing education course is approved by NCBTMB for 4 hours of ethics CE. Purchase this course separately for $49. With the Boundaries Package, your course registration never expires. You can complete the course in the CE reporting year that you choose.
- Course 02: Essential Boundary Skills in an Ethical Massage Practice. This continuing education course is approved by NCBTMB for 4 hours of ethics CE. Purchase this course separately for $49. With the Boundaries Package, your course registration never expires. You can complete the course in the CE reporting year that you choose.
- Course 03: Healthy Professional Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice. This continuing education course is approved by NCBTMB for 4 hours of ethics CE. Purchase this course separately for $49. With the Boundaries Package, your course registration never expires. You can complete the course in the CE reporting year that you choose.
This package, regularly priced at $150 is available now for this special introductory price of $89. Please note this offer is only available for a limited time to celebrate the launch of these courses.
Category: Ethics
CE Approvals: These courses are NCBTMB-approved, accepted in most states including New York, and Florida. Please note these courses are NOT approved by Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Use the CE courses in the Boundaries Package to fulfill your general CE requirements or your ethics-specific CE requirements. When you purchase the package, you’ll know that your ethics CE requirement is handled for up to 6 years (depending on the state). Complete each course in the year you need the CE so that your certificate of completion is accurate for reporting purposes. Note that most states that require ethics-specific CE ask for 4 hours annually or biannually making the courses in the CE package a perfect fit.
Fee: $89 (you save $60.00)
Prerequisites: Participants must complete each course in order. Begin with Course 01: Personal Space & Personal Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice. Follow with Course 02: Essential Boundary Skills in an Ethical Massage Practice. Finish with Course 03: Healthy Professional Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice.
Subscription Period: The digital textbook and three courses contained in this package do not expire. You automatically receive all new editions and updates.
After Purchase: Once you purchase this course you’ll log into massagemastery.online with your email and password and choose the Professional Dashboard. The courses and textbook will be waiting for you in the “My Courses & Digital Textbooks” area. Click the course access button for Course 01 and follow the directions in the Course Area.
Features: These courses feature video presentations, listen-along audio, text translation, learning games, Let’s Talk interviews with professional therapists, stories and critical thinking scenarios, interactive content, instant feedback on quizzes and learning games, striking visuals, easy navigation, downloadable resources, and more. This course is accessible on a computer, laptop, tablet, or phone with an Internet connection.
Authors: Anne Williams and Eric Brown
Save $60 over purchasing individually
Here's what's included ...
Digital Textbook
Boundaries: The Foundation of Ethical Massage Practice
This unique digital textbook, full of video and interactive features, offers a comprehensive discussion on boundaries. Massage therapists must be able to establish and maintain healthy professional boundaries to protect the therapeutic relationship.
This textbook is regularly priced at $39, but comes free with purchase of this Boundaries CE Package
As this digital text opens, we meet Kayla, a massage therapist, and Alice, a massage client. Alice brought Kayla a gift – a very nice gift. When Kayla explains that she doesn’t accept gifts as a professional massage therapist, Alice will not hear of taking the gift back. “Toss it in the street if you don’t want it!” she says. That’s when Kayla realized that Alice was walking all over her and that their therapeutic relationship was unhealthy.
As we get to know Kayla and Alice, and other massage therapists and their clients, we learn that healthy therapeutic boundaries begin with key practices during the first session and require ongoing attention. We’ll come to understand the points where Kayla, and other massage therapists allowed the therapeutic relationship to become unhealthy.
As professionals, we know that therapeutic relationships are incredibly nuanced and driven by a complex dynamic interplay of psychological needs and wants. To master the unique energetics of the session room we must hold a deep knowledge of our own boundaries and a high level of awareness related to client boundaries. This text helps us build or enhance our knowledge and skills.
Video presentations, interactive features, and learning activities keep this content fresh, fun and enjoyable as we learn to respond effectively to client boundary crossings and stay grounded in our confidence as health care professionals.
- Learn to recognize your personal boundaries, notice when they are crossed, and respond effectively to boundary violations.
- Evolve your personal boundaries to improve your relationships with friends, family, work colleagues, and other health care professionals.
- Set strong and appropriate professional boundaries to maintain healthy therapeutic relationships with clients.
- Develop the skills to establish and maintain boundaries through effective relating styles, attention to body language, active listening, and assertive communication.
- Successfully manage the difficult client situations all massage therapists encounter during their careers while maintaining the highest level of professional ethics.
- Enjoy your work more as your boundary-setting skills becomes second nature and managing relationships both personal and professional takes less effort and causes less stress.
- Learn on-the-go with this mobile-friendly product you can view on your desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone.
Great instructional design, video, audio, client-therapist scenarios, real-world examples, learning games, and rich visuals bring the subject of boundaries alive! You’ll take your therapeutic relationships to a new level of professionalism.
TEXTBOOK INTRODUCTION AND ORIENTATION
LESSON 1: PERSONAL SPACE AND PERSONAL BOUNDARIES
- Introduction, learning objectives, terminology
- Physical Space
- Sexual Space
- Sensory Space
- Psychological Space
- Emotional Space
- Privacy
- Autonomy
- Ownership
- Let’s Talk Boundaries
- Apply It!
- Quiz
LESSON 2: BOUNDARIES – CORE CONCEPTS
- Introduction, learning objectives, terminology
- Therapeutic Relationships
- Boundary Development
- Boundary Types and Forms
- Boundary Crossings
- Boundary Violations
- Apply It!
- Quiz
LESSON 3: ESSENTIAL BOUNDARY SKILLS
- Introduction, learning objectives, terminology
- Understand Relating Styles
- Attention to Body Language
- Active Listening
- Establish and Maintain Boundaries
- Respect Other’s Boundaries
- Apply It!
- Quiz
LESSON 4: HEALTHY PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES
- Introduction, learning objectives, terminology
- Professionalism
- Physical Boundaries
- Sexual Boundaries
- Sensory Boundaries
- Psychological Boundaries
- Emotional Boundaries
- Privacy Boundaries
- Autonomy Boundaries
- Ownership Boundaries
- Dual Relationships
- Apply It!
- Quiz
SUMMARY, RESOURCES, AND FINAL EXAMINATION
Course 01
Personal Space & Personal Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice
This course aims to help us understand personal space and use this understanding to set healthy boundaries in our personal lives. With healthy personal boundaries, we can attune to client boundaries and better manage the complex dynamics of massage sessions.
4 CE Hours
NCBTMB-Approved
Regularly priced at $49
Without strong personal boundaries, we cannot learn to establish and maintain boundaries with clients. We take a fascinating, in-depth look at the natural human instincts, needs, wants and expectations that drive our desire for personal space. We’ll come to understand our boundaries better and identify why people cross into our personal space. Understanding our own boundaries, helps us attune to client boundaries and untangle the complex dynamics that often cause us to feel confused or drained at the end of the massage workday.
Video presentations, interactive features, learning activities, and a discussion with seasoned massage professionals keeps this content fresh, fun, and engaging. What we learn about ourselves, will positively shift both our personal and professional relationships.
ORIENTATION AND INTRODUCTION
- Orientation Video
- Introduction
PERSONAL SPACE AND PERSONAL BOUNDARIES
- Introduction
- Learning Objectives
- Terminology Preview
- Physical Space
- Sexual Space
- Sensory Space
- Psychological Space
- Emotional Space
- Need for Privacy
- Need for Autonomy
- Need for Ownership
- Let’s Talk Boundaries
- Apply It! (3 Activities)
- Practice Quiz (10 Questions)
FINAL EXAMINATION (20-MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)
Having completed this course, you will be able to:
- Define these terms: Physical boundaries, sexual boundaries, sensory boundaries, psychological boundaries, emotional boundaries, privacy boundaries, autonomy boundaries, and ownership boundaries.
- Give a real-life example of each aspect of personal space: Physical space, sexual space, sensory space, psychological space, emotional space, privacy, autonomy, and ownership.
- Give a real-life example of a boundary violation related to each aspect of personal space: Physical boundaries, sexual boundaries, sensory boundaries, psychological boundaries, emotional boundaries, privacy boundaries, autonomy boundaries, and ownership boundaries.
- Complete a journaling exercise or discussion activity to define personal boundaries in each of these areas: Physical boundaries, sexual boundaries, sensory boundaries, psychological boundaries, emotional boundaries, privacy boundaries, autonomy boundaries, and ownership boundaries.
Course 02
Essential Boundary Skills in an Ethical Massage Practice
This course gives us the knowledge and skills we need to maintain strong therapeutic relationships and avoid the drama caused by unhealthy session dynamics. We’ll master simple, yet effective communication skills that help us speak our truth, remain present, respond to boundary violations assertively, and feel grounded in our confidence as health care professionals.
4 CE Hours
NCBTMB-Approved
Regularly priced at $49
We care about clients. We show up with our great hands and noble hearts to every session. So why do some client relationships feel unhealthy and what can we do to get dysfunctional sessions back on track?
Together, we’ll deepen our understanding of therapeutic relationships, boundary types, boundary forms, and boundary violations. With this informed foundation we’ll use simple but powerful communication skills that make it easier to maintain healthy relationships. We’ll learn to speak our truth and assert our boundaries clearly while respecting our clients and ensuring their wellbeing.
Video presentations, interactive features, and learning activities keep this content fresh, fun and engaging as we learn to respond effectively to client drama and stay grounded in our confidence as health care professionals.
PREREQUISITE: Participants must complete Course 01: Personal Space & Personal Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice before they begin this course.
BOUNDARIES – CORE CONCEPTS
- Introduction
- Learning objectives
- Terminology preview
- Therapeutic Relationships
- Boundary Development
- Boundary Types and Forms
- Boundary Crossing
- Boundary Violations
- Apply It! (4 Activities)
- Practice Quiz (10 Questions)
ESSENTIAL BOUNDARY SKILLS
- Introduction
- Learning objectives
- Terminology preview
- Understand Relating Styles
- Attention to Body Language
- Active Listening
- Speak Your Truth
- Establish and Maintain Boundaries
- Respect Other’s Boundaries
- Apply It! (3 Activities)
- Practice Quiz (10 Questions)
FINAL COURSE EXAMINATION (20 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)
Having completed the requirements for this course, you will be able to:
- Define these terms: Boundaries, therapeutic relationship, power advantage, personal space, permeable boundaries, semipermeable boundaries, impermeable boundaries, boundary crossing, and boundary violation.
- List the features that define therapeutic relationships.
- Compare and contrast client-centric massage sessions with therapist-centric massage sessions.
- Differentiate between permeable, semipermeable, and impermeable boundaries.
- Match each boundary form to its written description.
- Give one example of a professional boundary crossing that would not likely cause harm to a client.
- List three behaviors a client experiencing transference might exhibit.
- List three behaviors a therapist experiencing countertransference might exhibit.
- Explain what is meant by the phrase “sexual exploitation by a helping professional.”
- Define these terms: Active listening, aggressive relating style, assertive relating style, closed body position, open body position, passive relating style, passive-aggressive relating style, presence, reflecting, relating style, verbal encouragement.
- Compare and contrast the characteristics of different relating styles.
- List three benefits of paying attention to other’s body language.
- Describe the position of the face, chest, arms, and legs in an open body position.
- Describe the position of the face, chest, arms, and legs in a closed body position.
- Name three characteristics of active listening.
- List three benefits of reflecting during a conversation with another person.
- Give one example of proper verbal encouragement during a conversation with another person.
- Outline the process of saying “no” politely.
- List two methods for responding to boundary violations effectively.
Course 03
Healthy Professional Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice
In this course we define professional boundaries with clear directives and examples. We unravel complex client-therapist scenarios using effective behaviors and language to keep sessions on track, even when clients misbehave. Strong professional boundaries make draining workdays a thing of the past and help us derive satisfaction from the good work we do in a profession we love.
4 CE Hours
NCBTMB-Approved
Regularly priced at $49
Have you ever ended a workday at your massage business and felt so drained you wondered if this is the right profession for you? Have you ever said goodbye to a client and wished they never booked with you again?
This feeling of regular exhaustion is not a symptom of poor hands-on skills. Your massage skills are solid. Instead of signing up for another technique workshop, pay more attention to how you establish your professional boundaries, how you respond to boundary violations, and how you maintain professional boundaries as your relationship with a client evolves over time.
In this course, we’ll define professional boundaries with clear directives and examples. You’ll learn to rest in the structure created by your knowledge and professionalism. Together, we’ll unravel complex client-therapist scenarios and use behaviors and language that keep sessions on track, even when clients misbehave.
With more attention to professional boundaries, those dispiriting workdays will be a thing of the past. We’ll remember why we wanted to practice massage in the first place, feel energized by seeing our clients make progress towards their wellness goals, and derive satisfaction from the good work we do in a profession we love.
Prerequisite: Learners must complete Course 01: Personal Space & Personal Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice and Course 02: Essential Boundary Skills in an Ethical Massage Practice before they begin this course.
HEALTHY PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES
- Introduction
- Learning Objectives
- Terminology Preview
- Professionalism
- Physical Boundaries
- Sexual Boundaries
- Sensory Boundaries
- Psychological Boundaries
- Emotional Boundaries
- Privacy Boundaries
- Autonomy Boundaries
- Ownership Boundaries
- Dual Relationships
- Apply It! (2 Activities)
- Practice Quiz (10 Questions)
FINAL COURSE EXAMINATION (20 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)
Having completed the material in this course, you will be able to:
- Define These Terms: Client confidentiality, dual relationships, informed consent, intimacy, self-disclosure.
- List two ways professionalism helps a massage therapist establish boundaries with clients.
- Compare and contrast information that is appropriate to disclose to a client with information that is inappropriate to disclose to a client.
- Compare and contrast healthy intimacy with unhealthy intimacy in a therapeutic relationship.
- Explain why touch is reserved for the massage session in setting appropriate physical boundaries with clients.
- List two exceptions to the “no touch except during the massage boundary.”
- List five behaviors considered sexual and therefore prohibited in a massage business.
- Describe two items you should include in a zero-tolerance for sexual behavior and sex discrimination policy document.
- Outline the four-step response to client sexual behavior.
- Describe one way to empower client sensory boundaries during a massage session.
- List two ways to ensure you don’t cross a client’s psychological boundary during a massage session.
- Explain why a massage therapist’s emotional boundary may become permeable and why this could have a negative impact on client sessions.
- List one example of a massage therapist crossing out of their scope of practice during a client’s emotional response to bodywork.
- List two ways a therapist may violate a client’s privacy boundaries.
- Explain the limits to client confidentiality and how clients are appraised of these limits.
- Outline the information that should be included in client informed consent documents.
- Describe two ways client ownership boundaries are violated during massage sessions.
- State two examples of dual relationships that are generally permissible in a massage practice.
- Explain when a dual relationship is unethical in a massage practice.
- Give an example of a boundary complication that might occur in a dual relationship with a family member or friend.
Save $60 over purchasing individually
View a Sample Video from the Boundaries Series
The Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice CE package features 23 videos that teach important concepts. This example, comes from Lesson 04: Healthy Professional Boundaries.
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Continuing Education Just Got More Interesting!
Hate to read? Watch a video presentation. Going for a walk? Take your phone and listen to your course. Want practical, real-world information? Let’s Talk interviews with well-known massage professionals give you a sense of community. Get bored easily? Visually rich pages, and subtle animations that direct your focus will help. Explore the unique learning features that make these courses different.
