TMA 120 - Professionalism and Ethics for Massage Therapists

1. Demonstrate ethical therapeutic relationships.
2. Analyze professional development strategies.

1. Identify and summarize the core psychological concepts involved in responsible and ethical behavior, which includes the five major types of interpersonal boundaries. 
2. List and demonstrate the skills and abilities of effective professional therapeutic communication. 
3. Describe and demonstrate the role of the health care practitioner in preventing dual relationships.  
4. Explain and distinguish between the concepts of touch, intimacy, sex and sexuality. 
5. Identify and describe the major elements of professional and ethical practice management. 
6. Examine and demonstrate how professionalism, working ethics, and social responsibility can be promoted in a therapeutic massage and bodywork practice. 

1. Ethical Principles
   1. Key terms and Core Psychological Concepts
   2. Self-accountability
   3. Resolving ethical dilemmas
   4. Boundaries
2. Effective Therapeutic Communication
   1. Verbal communication
   2. Non verbal communication
3. Dual Relationships
   1. The range & risks of dual relationships
   2. The special case of schools
4. Touch, Intimacy, Sex & Sexuality
   1. The distinction
   2. Sex and touch therapy
   3. Sexual misconduct
   4. Desexualizing the touch experience
5. Ethical Practice Management
   1. Professionalism
   2. Scope of practice
   3. Standards of practice
   4. Policy statements
   5. Informed consent
   6. Declining potential new clients
6. Conscious Business
   1. Social responsibility
   2. Image
   3. Ethics