RMTs are required to set and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with each patient. A “boundary” separates professional and therapeutic behavior from non-professional and non-therapeutic behavior.

The CMTBC Boundaries Standard of Practice took effect July 1, 2018. This stand-alone standard of practice complements CMTBC’s Code of Ethics. While the Code of Ethics provides a high-level definition of ethical practice, the standard of practice further defines and sets requirements relating to professional boundaries, against which CMTBC, the public and RMTs are able to assess massage therapy practice. The practice standard also provides RMTs with a clear foundation for reflection on practice.

The Boundaries Standard of Practice clearly defines expectations for RMTs in the area of boundaries and includes:

• A definition of professional boundaries that are appropriate to the therapeutic relationship;
• Twenty-four detailed requirements for RMTs to follow in maintaining appropriate boundaries with patients;
• An appendix with definitions of terms used in the boundaries standard of practice.

The Boundaries Standard of Practice empowers RMTs to exercise their professional judgement and discretion when faced with difficult or unclear circumstances in practice.

Read the Boundaries Standard of Practice.