Essential Massage Therapist Safety Tips: Handling Inappropriate Client Behavior

After seven years of running my massage business, I never imagined I’d face inappropriate behavior from a client, especially one who had been receiving effective pain relief from my services for several months. As a massage therapist, your massage room should be a sanctuary—a place where clients seek comfort and healing, both physically and emotionally. It’s the last place you should ever feel unsafe or threatened by a client. Here are some crucial massage therapist safety tips to help you navigate these situations.

Steps to Take If You Encounter Inappropriate Client Behavior

1. Know You Are in Control

If a client exhibits inappropriate behavior during a session, remember that you have the power to stop the session immediately. This can be challenging, especially if you run your own business and fear the client’s reaction. However, your safety is paramount. As difficult as it may be, even if you are distressed and in tears, try to calmly and safely complete the session to get the client out of your space. If you work with others, leave the room as quickly as possible, inform someone of the situation, and let them intervene if needed. You don’t necessarily have to explain to the client; simply walking out or saying, “This session is now terminated,” is enough.

2. Do Not Let Them Return for Another Appointment

Blocking the client from returning is essential. If you’re worried about their reaction, follow your normal checkout process to avoid escalating the situation. Once the client has left, immediately cancel any future appointments they have scheduled, block them from booking again on your website, and prevent them from contacting you by blocking their email address and phone number. Remove them from any business email lists as well.

3. Call or Talk to Someone

Experiencing such behavior is not your fault. It’s natural to feel shaken and emotional. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or colleague to talk about what happened. Sharing your experience can provide comfort and support during this difficult time.

4. Contact Authorities

As daunting as it might seem, reporting the incident to the authorities is important. Filing a police report protects you and helps prevent the client from targeting other massage therapists. Due to client confidentiality, avoid warning other therapists or businesses directly, but ensuring the authorities are aware is a vital step.

5. Speak Out

Inappropriate client behavior happens far too often in our industry, yet it is seldom discussed openly. By speaking out, we can raise awareness and support each other. Share your experience with trusted colleagues, as they might offer valuable advice and support. Open dialogue within the massage therapy community can help others feel less isolated and more prepared to handle similar situations.

6. Protect Yourself

Feeling like a victim is natural, but you can take steps to protect yourself in the future. Consider taking a self-defense class to boost your confidence and preparedness. Keeping a taser or pepper spray in a secure location in your office or massage room can provide an added sense of security. Installing a panic button near your massage table or obtaining a concealed carry license are additional measures to consider, depending on your comfort level and local laws.

Building a Safer Community Together

If you’ve faced inappropriate behavior from a client, know you are not alone. Our community can and should support each other through these experiences. By discussing these issues openly and sharing our strategies for handling them, we can create a safer environment for all massage therapists.

Remember, your safety and well-being are paramount. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and lean on the support of your community. Together, we can ensure that our profession remains a safe and healing space for everyone involved.

I am deeply sorry if this has happened to you. Please remember that you are not alone, and together, as a community, we can use our voices to support and protect one another