Ethics and the Power Differential
Ethics

Ethics and the Power Differential

Author(s): Kathy Ginn

2CE credits 10 Lessons Text

Determine how power affects the massage therapist and client relationship. Explore how power is defined, amplified and misused in this type of relationship. Explore how ethical monitoring of the power differential can improve your client’s satisfaction, ease and build trust.

This course counts towards NCBTMB’s Ethics credit requirement. 

When you finish this course, you will be able to:

  • Define power and the power differential in therapeutic relationships.
  • List conditions that amplify the power differential.
  • Describe the ethical management of the power differential.
  • Exercise your responsibility in the power role of a therapeutic relationship.

  1. Defining Power
  2. The Power Differential
  3. Amplifying the Power Differential
  4. Role-dependent Factors for Massage Therapists
  5. The Client Role
  6. How to Use the Power Differential
  7. Responsibilities of the Power Role
  8. Misuse of Power—Over-use of Power
  9. Misuse of Power—Under-use of Power
  10. The Value of Empowerment

Kathy Ginn, LMT has been active in the profession of massage therapy since 1991.  She is a faculty member with two massage schools, facilitates a peer supervision group, and is in private practice. Kathy is a member of the Right Use of Power teacher’s guild.