The Ethics of Touch: The Hands-on Practitioner's Guide to Creating a Professional, Safe and Enduring Practice [Paperback]

Cherie M. Sohnen-Moe (Author), Ben E. Benjamin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1882908406 | ISBN-13: 978-1882908400 | Publication Date: May 1, 2003 | Edition: 1

This groundbreaking work on ethics addresses the difficult, confusing, and seldom-discussed but often-troubling dilemmas confronting touch therapy practitioners. By honestly describing the issues, identifying clear principles, naming specific resources, and using stories straight from the treatment room, the authors have written a book to guide, support, and inspire both students and seasoned practitioners. This book belongs in the office of every bodywork practitioner and in the classrooms of every professional training school. Features include useful and thought-provoking activities and exercises and real-life scenarios to intrigue students.

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Sohnen-Moe Associates, Inc.; 1 edition (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882908406
• ISBN-13: 978-1882908400
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars more of a college textbook, December 11, 2006

By 

Julie Onofrio "Julie Onofrio www.thebodyworke... (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ethics of Touch: The Hands-on Practitioner's Guide to Creating a Professional, Safe and Enduring Practice (Paperback)

The Ethics of Touch is a good textbook to begin learning about professional boundaries and ethics which is a much needed topic for massage therapists who are faced with issues on a daily basis.

What other profession is there that has people come in and take their clothes off and let a strange person touch them. Such a dynamic is ripe for transferrence and counter-transference.

I can't quite put my finger on the reason why I only am giving this book a 3 star rating but it is because it seems like such a cold and impersonal account of ethics. I would recommend getting this book but get some others too - The Educated Heart by Nina McIntosh, Issues and Ethics of the Helping Professions by Corey, and The Ethics of Caring.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an Excellent Book, September 17, 2010

By 

Christopher Asay (Dover, Delaware) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ethics of Touch: The Hands-on Practitioner's Guide to Creating a Professional, Safe and Enduring Practice (Paperback)

This is a very special behavioral guidebook for massage practitioners, and others in touch therapy. In six years of teaching massage therapy, I have seen many textbooks, and none cover these important topics as well as this book. It is well-organized, insightful, and provides great life-like examples to illustrate each concept. I found it far more instructive, useful, more to the point, and easy to read than the late Nina McIntosh's "The Educated Heart."

The authors bring amazing clarity to the purpose of ethical codes, the origins of ethical dilemmas, and their guidance in resolving those dilemmas. The examples that they give are not black & white, right/wrong prescriptions, but illustrate the infinite shades of gray that exist in the complex real world.

The authors also explain and illustrate basic psychological concepts, such as the therapeutic relationship, defense mechanisms, psychological boundaries, and dual relationships, all of which aren't well understood by the average person. The chapter on communication gives a great background and then offers specific skills that can be mastered. The powerful chapter on Sex, Touch & Intimacy wonderfully distinguish these three often misunderstood concepts.

I highly recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible Resource Material, June 26, 2009

By 

Fitness Pro "Chuck" (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ethics of Touch: The Hands-on Practitioner's Guide to Creating a Professional, Safe and Enduring Practice (Paperback)

This book is a practitioner's guide for Physical Therapist. I consider it an indispensible resource for anyone who comes in physical contact with a client not just Health Care Practitioners, but Health Care Professionals as well. In today's litigious society, this guide defines the safe and effective parameters of therapeutic touch. As a school for Personal Trainers, we strongly recommend this book for all of our trainers and fitness instructors as a guide for the safe and effective practice of their professional responsibilities.

The authors have a background in education, which is fully demonstrated by the book's clear and concise content. The contributing editors are an impressive group from various and pertinent professional disciplines. Ethics of Touch is an easy read and an informative resource for both the client and the practitioner. In addition, each chapter of this book qualifies for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs).

Contents:

Ethical Principles
Boundaries
Dynamics of Effective Communication
Dual Relationships
Sex, Touch and Intimacy
Ethical Practice Management
Business Ethics
Special Consideration In Cases of Trauma
Supervision

Three Appendices include a host of Forms, Protocols, and various Codes of Ethics.

Chuck Krautblatt, CEO, President
International Fitness Association