may say someone has "crossed the line" or "gone too far." Sometimes a client crosses a boundary in a very innocent way. Even in the case of minor boundary infractions, there can be a sense of discomfort or confusion. When we move outside of our own boundaries or push beyond another's, we find ourselves in dangerous territory that can easily lead to disappointment, questionable behavior, emotional turmoil, or abuse. The following are warning signs of boundary compromises: 1. Failing to establish a professional environment. 2. Accepting unwanted touch or gifts. 3. Neglecting your personal value system. 4. Feeling overwhelmed by a client. 5. Believing that you can do more than you are educated to do. 6. Allowing your client to zap all your energy. 7. Falling in love with your client. 9 8. Failure to recognize that your boundaries have been crossed. 9. Touching a client without obtaining informed consent. 10. Allowing others to make decisions for you. 11. Letting others define who you are or what your goals are. 12. Believing that your client can anticipate your needs. 13. Allowing your feelings and emotions to get in the way of your massage. 14. Feeling a sense of dread toward massaging a client. 15. Expecting someone to “rescue” you from your troubles. 16. Fear of saying no because you dread the consequences. 17. Your “gut response” tells you something is wrong. Maintaining boundaries is an ongoing process for all therapists. On any given day, a therapist or client could intentionally or unintentionally cross a boundary. In many situations, educating the client on your scope of practice and your office policies will be sufficient and the therapeutic session can continue. If a client chooses to push your boundaries, then the therapist must either end the session or relationship, refer the client to someone else, or decide the client is no longer a suitable client candidate. Ethics is just looking more closely at relationships and learning to become more conscious and make better choices. Clients will want to become friends or ask you out on a date. They will want discounts and special favors like giving them more of your time when they are late for an appointment. They will bring you favors to win your trust. They will come to you in pain and grief and many deep old wounds. Ethics is the study of the relational dynamics that take place between the massage therapist and client. Boundaries are violated when one person “crosses a line” by doing or saying something to another person without the other person’s consent. The person who holds the most power in a relationship is ultimately responsible when boundary violations take place. Our boundaries define us in relation to others. Many relational problems are a result of “secret” boundaries. By stepping into the light and communicating our boundaries visibly and openly, others can benefit from them and our challenge areas can be corrected. As a professional massage therapist providing services to the public, it is important that you understand your legal rights, obligations and risks while practicing good ethics. The headlines are rampant with incidents of betrayal and unprofessional conduct by persons of authority, power and trust. As a precaution, professionals in all fields must take care to ensure that their clients will never misinterpret their motives or services as being sexually oriented. This is especially true in the case of massage professionals. To avoid misunderstandings, always educate each client regarding the massage techniques to be used. Include body part, type of strokes, pressure, possibility of pain, in your explanation. Describe thoroughly the duration of the treatment and the reason for the type of massage to be used. Urge them to be open in communication with you concerning the massage before, during and after each session. Keep all communication and actions professional. 10 Understanding and applying the following measures will help you avoid situations where sexual boundaries might be violated: 1. Keep clients professionally draped 2. Avoid actions that could be misconstrued as flirtatious. 3. Be careful about sharing personal information. 4. Be cautious how and where you touch someone. 5. Be aware of where your body is in relation to your clients’ body. 6. Pay attention for signs that a client is focusing on you sexually or emotionally. 7. Decide if this is a situation needs to be confronted immediately and if so, do it right away in a calm and professional manner. 8. If a client disrespects you by crossing boundaries that have already be established by you, you must be able to follow through and end your session. If you, as a therapist, have crossed a boundary, it is important to look within and think about the services you are meant to provide. Has the relationship been more focused on your needs and not the clients' needs? If necessary, work with a mentor or other professional and refocus your sessions on the clients. A number one priority is to be clear on your own sexual issues. Don’t take them into the therapy room. Firm boundaries of appropriate behavior must be maintained, even if a client is being provocative. Flirting and/ or sexual contact of any kind is highly unethical and prohibited by the ethics and bylaws of the massage profession. Inappropriate terminology when speaking about body parts is never to be used by the practitioner or tolerated from a