Professional Boundaries and Sexual Misconduct Policy

Purpose:

This policy ensures all therapists have a clear and sound understanding of what constitutes professional boundaries and sexual misconduct in accordance with professional Massage Association.

Policies and Standards:

Therapists must abide by the standards and Code of Ethics set by their association, which clearly outline the rules of behaviour in the therapeutic setting. These policies aim to protect both clients and therapists from inappropriate behaviour during the treatment and ensures, professional boundaries are always maintained.

All therapists within this clinic are to ensure they have a clear understanding of, and abide by, the professional behaviour and boundaries expected within the profession. This includes:

  1. Therapists must establish and manage professional boundaries within their profession, and act accordingly at all times.
  2. Therapists are expected to wear professional, clean and modest attire at all times, and it is advisable to wear a clinic uniform.
  3. Therapists must be aware and respect the power difference inherent within the therapeutic relationship.
  4. Therapist must ensure all health information gathered is current and only relevant to the treatment and service provided.
  5. Therapist must clearly explain (using language the client can understand) rationale and purpose for any assessment and treatment.
  6. Therapist must obtain client consent prior to any assessment and treatment. Any modification or changes to treatment plan should be discussed and approved by client, if the treatment changes.
  7. Therapist is required to provide information to the client regarding the treatment plan, their qualifications and treatment goals.
  8. Therapist must at all times maintain personal and client’s modesty by adhering to the clinics and Association Draping Policy. No part of the body shall be exposed unnecessarily, and exposure of genitals, breasts will be treated as sexual misconduct.
  9. Therapist has the right to refuse and/or terminate treatment if the client’s behaviour is sexually inappropriate, abusive or aggressive.
  10. Therapist or client should and will not tolerate any sexually suggestive behaviour.
  11. Personal conversation is limited to formalities with emphasis relative to clinical circumstances and therapist must avoid conversations of a personal, intimate or sexual nature.
  12. Therapist must refrain from engaging in gossip or irrelevant chatter, or any communication which could be perceived as inappropriate.
  13. Therapist should not flirt or use sexually suggestive language at any time with a client.
  14. It is the responsibility for therapists to identify and respond appropriately to clients who display emotional distress, become over dependant, or over vulnerable and refer on to an appropriate health professional.
  15. Therapist is to only contact clients in regards to treatments and appointments using a business number and in business hours and only with prior consent and arrangement of the client.
  16. Therapist disclosure is limited to only that which is necessary to offer comfort and support to the client but excludes personal details or expression of feelings.
  17. Therapist must avoid becoming romantically involved with clients, co-workers, cares, or contractors.
  18. Therapists must avoid engaging in a sexual relationship with a client at any time. If a therapist wishes to engage in a sexual or intimate relationship, it is recommended the professional relationship ceases and the client is referred on to another therapist. The recommended ‘cooling off’ period before embarking on a personal/intimate relationship is six weeks.
  19. Therapist must not give or receive inappropriate gifts over the value of $20 as recommended in the Code of Ethics. All gifts must be recorded on documentation.
  20. Therapist must ensure they are fit to practice emotionally and physically. If they are ill or infectious, or in a period of COVID quarantine, the therapist must not under any circumstance provide massage service.
  21. The therapist must not treat clients while under the influence of substances, e.g. drugs and alcohol.
  22. Therapist must not counsel or provide any advice on medications or herbs as this is outside the scope of a massage therapist.
  23. Therapist has the right to refuse to treat if client is under the influence of substances or is ill.
  24. Client has the right to refuse treatment at any point prior or during the treatment without any explanation whatsoever.
  25. Clients must be informed of the complaints process in this clinic and refer to MMA Code of Conduct and Complaints. The MMA Complaint Form can be found here.
  26. Therapist must always collect a renumeration for clinical services provided.
  27. Therapist must have established business hours and must not work outside of given time frame.
  28. All clients must be treated within the legislative provisions of the Privacy and Discrimination Acts.
  29. Client information is to remain confidential and protected as per Privacy Policy and only disclosed to another health practitioner with consent from client.
  30. Therapist must abide by the National Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners and their Associations Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Breaches of any of these policies will be reported to the appropriate body for investigation.