Need feedback on policy / consent statements

[BerliGansLonaz]

All right, I am in the process of completely revamping my intake, policy statement, and client consent statement. (I've been using a v. slightly modified version of the one in "Hands Heal" and have found it to be way too detailed and LONG for my needs.) Would anyone like to give me feedback on the policy and consent statements below? I'd also like to know if anyone else is as circumspect about the "don't come looking for sex" statement. I get very few hints about that and would like a statement that covers my butt without pre-punishing my clients for something they'd never do anyway.


Practice Policies:

Once you have made your massage or energy work appointment, please notify us 24 hours in advance if you must change or cancel it, so we may accomodate other clients in that time slot. Missing appointments repeatedly or without notice may unfortunately result in a bill for the missed time. While we understand that emergencies and forces of nature do arise, we appreciate communication about such circumstances.

If you must arrive late to your session, the session price remains the same, and we can work together for the time remaining in your appointment.

We do not bill insurance companies, but we are always happy to provide you with a receipt to send to your insurance company or healthcare savings plan.

If requests for illegal activities are made of the practitioners, sessions may be terminated immediately and payment for full session will be due.

I acknowledge and agree to these policies: (sig & date spaces)



Consent for Care

I acknowledge that I am freely seeking massage therapy and/or energy healing services. In the U.S., only medical doctors are allowed by law to make claims to diagnose, treat, or heal any health condition. I acknowledge that my massage therapist / energy worker does not make these claims for my situation, which will be assessed and addressed according to my practitioner's training.

Questions about my health will be asked only as they are relevant to my care. Because of this, I agree to answer these questions as well as I can, and to keep my practitioner updated about my health and about other care I am receiving which may impact my care here.

(sign & date)


Thanks in advance, everybody!

 

[thomas p]

I think all looks good. In regards to the "don't come looking for sex" part of it, I think it is a bit vague. Unfortunately, I think the people looking for those things don't always view them as illegal activities. Depending on their experiences, some may think it is part of your job. I am happy to say that in 4 years of practice, I have never had anyone on my table request anything sexual. I have had some phone calls where the type of questioning was leading in that direction and I terminated the call. I have had one or two clients in my office whose address turned out to be fake and whose behavior was peculiar.....not sexual, just kind of odd. Some people are just odd. Or perhaps they came in expecting to ask for sexual favors, but changed their minds once they read the statement on my intake form: "I understand that any illicit or sexually aggressive remarks or advances made by me will result in immediate termination of the session, and I will be liable for payment of the scheduled appointment."

I think it is very clear. There is no question about what I mean. There is no way someone could say "I didn't know THAT's what you meant when you said "illegal activities".

I worried that some clients my get offended by the strong message, maybe thinking that I thought they might be looking for that. But, I find that if anyone comments, it is only to express that it is sad that I need to put that language in there and that people don't respect the profession and have sense enough not to ask. They understand that I must be clear about my position and protect myself against those who might have other ideas.

So, my only recommendation would be to be more clear about what constitutes "illegal activities".

 

[viking]

Thanks for the feedback Kneaded. I *think* I am going to leave that wording in and try it out for a few months, but we'll see what the concensus is here. The reason I went with "illegal" instead of any other wording (like illicit - which means illegal - or "overtly sexual") is because - well - sex for money is illegal in my state. So even if someone were to claim they didn't know what I meant, I think everyone does know that it's technically illegal, or the people who seek it would do so openly rather than with veiled questions about draping, etc. And somehow "illegal" seemed a tiny bit less loaded than the word "sexual" -- anyway, we'll see.

As you say, I've never had a real client be upset by any wording, no matter how strong. Thanks for sharing yours.