Therapy or not Therapy

[Randy P]

Hi (from the Snowy NE England)

My question is:

I'm hoping to complete my VCTC Swedish Massage level 3 in June. Can I refer to what I do as Therapy or not?

I've read a definition of therapy that says it is treatment of disease and a colleague has said that I can't call myself a massage therapist.

Any views or opinions on this would appreciated.

ta muchly[sm=hidesbehindsofa.gif]

 

[Johann wu]

in my opinion you are providing a service that is assisting someones health/wellbeing through touch/massage, whatever it is, its all therapy of some kind. I offer Yoga Therapy, I call it this as it is exactly what it is provding a service to help those in need. If you look up therapy in the dictionary its says "curative Treatment". That says it all really, and massage therapist sounds oooooh very healing and therapeutic, if i was in need of it i would come see you

with love and go foreward without question


tammyx

 

[angel?baby]

In a conversation yesterday I was asked whether I called myself a practitioner or a therapist. A practitioner is a more positive term to use as it implies a contract between you and your client to provide a service to help their wellbeing. Whereas therapists are providing a therapy (ie. treating dis-ease) which is a negative start point. What do others think?

It's the same with patient and client. Patients are ill and in need of therapy, whereas clients seek our services as a professional practitioner. A subtle difference but it can make a difference in how effective our treatment is as we and our clients need to have the right outlook and expectations.

Sarah x

 

[italiangirl13111]

i understand what you are saying and agree to a point but in all fairness in an already complicated world does it really matter. I am a Yoga Practitioner in this case and a yoga teacher and a yoga therapist!!!!! but for me i stick with Yoga Therapy as it is the client who is asking for the service/therapy whatever! and in my opinion i keep it simple. for me yoga therapy encompasses all i want to offer the client, a therapy to bring them well-being. It another thing to want to put an umbrella statement on something for me i am a free spirit and call it what I choose, life is far too complicated these days.

with love

tammy

 

[Edwin]

I appreciate what you are saying Tammy, and you're right life can be complicated enough[&:], I just thought I'd post this as I'd only been thinking about the term "therapist" myself since yesterday and thought this was an ideal post tofind out other's views on it. It is interesting though, that the way we say things and present the treatment ot our clients, can have an amazing effect on how quickly it works.

Sarah x