Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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

What I needed for class, and even though its slightly boring, no color pages or any photos to help illustrate points, its very informative. There are also a bunch of short quotes on almost every page that get you thinking. The story examples are very helpful for understanding a few of the concepts. I recommend this book.

This book is written with massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, etc., in mind, but as an Alexander Technique teacher I find it excellent, thorough and thought provoking. Well worth the price and time.

It was very informative with many case scenarios and recommendations of how to ethically handle those situations. The topic of ethics could be dry, but this book is filled with warmth and not judgmental at all. The author is right on with the struggles and awkwardness practitioners sometimes experience in this area. The chapter on "special considerations in cases of trauma" was especially helpful for me. It also talks about the power of touch and benefits of touch therapy.

Excellent book, arrived promptly. very smooth transaction, and recommend
this book to anyone who touches people in any way.