Ethical and Interpersonal Issues for Massage
(Course Number: ETH 201)
1. Course Description: In this course, we will investigate the ethical and interpersonal issues that a
licensed massage therapist will encounter. The therapeutic relationship between the patient and
therapist is an important trust interaction. We will explore the importance of the patient-centered
care via the phases of the therapeutic process: 1) building trust; 2) exploring the physical sensations
that lead the patient to seek massage therapy; 3) creating a healthy closure. Finally, we will
discuss strategies to encourage and motivate the patient to participate in their own health and
wellness.
2. Course Objectives: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
A.
Summarize actions that foster trust between the therapist and patient.
B.
Describe actions that enhance the therapeutic process.
C. Create a plan to accommodate negative experiences of touch, trauma, or
posttraumatic stress disorder.
D. Design strategies to enhance client adherence to the plan of care.
Teaching Strategies to achieve Course Objectives:

Power point presentations

Group studies

Demonstrate appropriate boundaries, intake and assessment skills

Case studies
3. Prerequisites: None
4. Course Hours: Defined as no less than fifty (50) minutes of any one clock hour during which the
student participates in a learning activity in the physical presence and under the tutelage of an
instructor.
Total Number of Continuing Education Hours to be granted: a maximum of 8 hours
Course Hours: 8
Theory: 6
Practice: 2
5. Instructors: Dawn Saunders LMT#3440; RMTI #S-0244
6. Instructional Materials:
Andrade, C and Clifford, P. (2008). Outcome-based Massage: From Evidence to Practice, (2nd
edition). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
ETH 201, Page 1
Submitted: June, 2010
7. Provisions for Make-up Work:

Any classes that are missed due to teacher illness, school closure due to inclement
weather, holidays, etc, will be rescheduled to a time convenient for the majority of
students in the course
8. Requirements for successful completion:
1.
Students are required to achieve a 90% attendance.
2.
Students are required to participate in quizzes and exams and achieve a 70% overall
grade.
3.
Students will only be given continuing education credit for the class hours that they attend.
Grading:
A.
Attendance: 10%
B.
Participation: 10%
C. Homework: 20%
D. Written/verbal Knowledge: 30%
E.
Practical application of massage: 30%
93 – 100%: A
82 – 92%: B
70 – 81%: C
Less than 70% = Fail
ETH 201, Page 2
Submitted: June, 2010