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.

Learning Objectives: Having completed 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.

PREREQUISITES 

• 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)

Category: Ethics

CE Approvals:  NCBTMB-approved, accepted in most states including New York, and Florida. Please note this course is NOT approved by Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana. 

Fee: $49.99

Prerequisites: Participants must complete Course 01: Personal Space & Personal Boundaries in an Ethical Massage Practice before they begin this course.

Subscription Period: You must complete this course within 12 months of purchase (see the Boundaries CE Package described below for unlimited access). 

After Purchase: Once you purchase this course you’ll log into massagemastery.online with your email and password. The course will be waiting for you in the “My Courses & Digital Textbooks” area. Click the course access button and follow the directions.

The purchase of this course comes with a 12-month subscription to the digital textbook, Boundaries: The Foundation of Ethical Massage Practice.

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