simultaneously and includes the human element of touch. This approach is a part of an integral process that the aforementioned modalities do not address. The therapeutic benefits of psychotherapy and massage therapy support an integrative approach to treating trauma. Since trauma affects the mind, body, and emotions, by combining the mental and emotional dynamics of psychotherapy with the physiological benefits of massage therapy, a sound clinical practice based on a truly integrative approach makes sense. However, professional and ethical standards relating to integrative treatment approaches are unclear. In regards to touch, the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Code of Ethics states: THE WELL-EMBODIED PROFESSIONAL 8 Social workers should not engage in physical contact with clients when there is a possibility of psychological harm to the client as a result of the contact (such as cradling or caressing clients). Social workers who engage in appropriate physical contact with clients are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern such physical contact. (2008, section 1.10) The definition of touch is not clearly defined in this section, nor is the topic of touch addressed again throughout the Code of Ethics. In addition, NASW does not discuss professional parameters for those who hold multiple degrees and practice under one umbrella. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) addresses sexual misconduct and physical harm in the Code of Ethics, but does not specifically discuss guidelines for dually degreed professionals (2010). In fact, number one of the Rules of Ethics section mandates massage therapists to “conduct all business and professional activities within their scope of practice and all applicable legal and regulatory requirements” (AMTA, 2010). Even though scope of practice is mentioned, professional parameters for those with dual degrees are not clearly defined. Both entities’ Code of Ethics are ambiguous and do not provide enough support or guidance for dually degreed professionals to integrate their skills into one therapy session. In order to gain more clarity into this puzzling display of ethics and guidelines, the researcher contacted the State of Minnesota Board of Social Work (BOSW), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). The Staff Social Worker in the BOSW licensing unit said, “The board can’t make recommendations. We are bound by compliance laws (M. Kramer-Prevost, personal communication, March 18, 2013).” Yet, the BOSW Compliance Director responded by saying, “It is not permitted, nor prohibited. However, when a social worker engages in touch THE WELL-EMBODIED PROFESSIONAL 9 there are potential boundary issues. Certainly this would increase reports (L. Hoffman, personal communication, March 28, 2013).” NASW Deputy Council Ann Kamper disclosed that after consulting with other legal representatives in her office and the Office of General Council, she would never advise a dually degreed professional to practice both modalities in a single session, much less see similar clients while maintaining separate practices. The reasons were related to “the intimate process of psychotherapy, boundary confusion, and the degree of sensitivity to touch (A. Kamper, personal communication, March 28, 2013).” Since Minnesota is an unlicensed state, massage therapists are regulated by the Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice (OCAP). The OCAP is overseen by the Minnesota Department of Health and handles allegations of misconduct outlined in the statute (Office of Revisor of Statutes, 2013). However, practicing guidelines specific to the profession are not addressed. Gini Ohlson, Foundation Director for the AMTA’s Massage Therapy Foundation, admitted that to the best of her knowledge there are no states currently allowing this type of integrated model and therefore didn’t think it would be allowed in Minnesota (G. Ohlson, personal communication, March 22, 20113). Even though each of the accrediting and licensing guidelines appear vague, the message regarding the integration of massage therapy and psychotherapy is clear: Do not do it. Little research has been done to reveal the therapeutic and professional implications of an integrative treatment approach, much less a model based on grounded theory and a conceptual framework that can be implemented into a sound clinical practice for dually degreed professionals. Furthermore, little research has been done to examine the professional attitudes and desires around implementing this particular treatment model, possibly due to the lack of clarity and potential barriers around touch and scope of practice. THE WELL-EMBODIED PROFESSIONAL 10 The purpose of this study is to investigate the professional attitudes regarding the integration of massage therapy and psychotherapy into a sound clinical practice for treating trauma. These issues will be explored using a qualitative research design in order to answer the research question: What are the professional attitudes around the integration of massage therapy and psychotherapy into a sound clinical practice for treating trauma? In order to fully understand this research question, it would be important to