Nature of Actions: Two undertaking and consent agreements of the registrant, in relation to two separate complaint matters, under section 33(6)(c) of the Health Professions Act providing for a reprimand and limits and conditions on the registrant’s practice, including:

• an undertaking to successfully complete a course on professional practice;
• an undertaking to successfully complete a course on recordkeeping/charting;
• an undertaking to pay the College a total amount of $2,000 in costs; and
• an undertaking to pay to the College a fine in a total amount of $500.

Reasons: The College received a complaint from a former female patient of the registrant (“Complainant A”). In respect of that complaint, the registrant admitted to speaking to Complainant A about certain topics, including his recent relationship separation and her appearance, during a massage therapy session. The registrant further admitted to sending inappropriate and unprofessional emails to Complainant A acknowledging his inappropriate behaviour during that massage therapy session. The registrant also admitted to extending Complainant A’s massage therapy treatment without her consent during the same session. The registrant acknowledged that his treatment of Complainant A’s scalp and hair felt inappropriate and non-therapeutic to Complainant A given the nature of his inappropriate communications and also acknowledged that he placed Complainant A in an awkward position regarding payment for the treatment session which had been extended. The registrant also admitted to not having Complainant A’s health care records.

The College also received a complaint from another former female patient of the registrant (“Complainant B”). In respect of that complaint, the registrant admitted to discussing the details of his recent relationship separation with Complainant B and asking her about her relationship status during a massage therapy session. The registrant further admitted to sending Complainant B multiple emails acknowledging his inappropriate behaviour after the massage therapy session. The registrant acknowledged that his treatment of Complainant B’s neck, scalp and hair felt inappropriate and non-therapeutic to her given the nature of his inappropriate communications. The registrant also admitted to not having Complainant B’s health care records.

By engaging in the admitted conduct, the registrant has violated several sections of the CMTBC’s Code of Ethical Conduct, Standards of Practice, and rules and requirements for Health Care Records.