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As a massage therapist, bodyworker, somatic practitioner, or any type of manual therapist, you hold more than a client's physical body in your hands, you also contact a person's psychological and emotional dimensions.
For both bodywork students and practitioners, this course is designed to provide a greater understanding of the psychological issues that can arise from using touch in your therapy sessions. The corresponding course text, The Psychology of the Body, explores the connection between the body and the mind, how touch affects this connection, the client's emotional reaction and release, the profound dynamics of armoring, how to respond to the client in an appropriate manner and the underlying psychological factors that influence the massage therapist-client relationship and the outcome of your work.
In this course, you will:
- identify the elements that characterize the body/mind connection and affect the shape of the body
- understand and identify the phenomena of emotional release and how you can respond effectively and responsibly
- discover ways for choosing methods and techniques that are both physically and psychologically suited for each client
- gain a greater understanding of boundary issues concerning ethical behavior and learn how to use a therapeutic frame to maintain these essential boundaries
- examine factors that may indicate when and how to refer to and collaborate with a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist
Filling a gap in the knowledge base of the profession, this timely course addresses topics of great interest to massage therapists but for which little training is usually received or available.
Earn even more credits with the Psychology of the Body and Ethics Package.
Course Reviews
Valerie Bower, LMT, NCTMB
As with the Ethics portion of this text, this is the most difficult continuing education course I have taken. A lot of very good information coming from a totally different perspective. After twenty-five years in practice it is important to learn new information. The text will be a very good resource to rely on in the future. Thank you.
Virginia Connors, LMT
I really enjoyed learning about all the types of problems that my clients could possible be holding within their bodies. This course enabled me to recognize the signs and symptoms of these disorders and how to proceed in helping them through the correct massage techniques.
Danette Mucaria, LMT, NCTMB
I believe this should be a required course, especially for massage therapists and providers working with patients or clients they have to 'touch.' I loved it. It took me a while to get through the book. And I still have more to read. It truly pulls it all together and embodies the work we do together with our clients and in collaboration with other providers.
Lily Woll, LMT
I think the body/mind connection has the most applicable affect on most people's physical ailments and that this course should be mandatory for all massage therapists. I found the course fascinating and very informative with lots of case studies which made it more true to life.
Susan Whitcomb, LMT, NCTMB
This is the best course that I have taken to date. I feel more confident and professional with my clients and more prepared within my boundaries, in supporting them with their emotional issues and therefore their body issues.
Materials
- Text - 304 pages
- Multiple-choice test
- Certificate upon completion
Display Certificates suitable for framing are available for $10 in addition to the certificate included with your tuition. Click here to order a Display Certificate.
Approvals
The Institute is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Approved Provider 049478-00.
Credits also accepted by the AMTA, ABMP as well as most state boards.
For information regarding your specific state massage license requirements and approvals, visit our Massage Therapy Continuing Education Requirements page by clicking here.
