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Client Story: Navigating House Call Safety in Massage
Submitted By “Anonymous”
I was doing house calls and a man met me at the door in a bathrobe and a beer in hand! I had to explain that I was a massage therapist and that I was there only to give a massage. I asked if he would mind dispensing with the beer and putting on a pair of briefs. Then I introduced him to my 12-year-old son who was with me to help carry my equipment. The man was actually very pleased and welcomed me in for the massage and, in the end, he said it was the best massage he had ever had, and that not having to worry about what HE had to do after the massage made a world of difference in his relaxation.
Reflecting on Real‑Time Choices During House Calls
If you were confronted with the same situation again, how might you handle things differently?
Response from “Anonymous”
I would do the same thing. If the man had refused to put away the beer, which he had just opened, or put on the briefs I would have apologized for the inconvenience and left.
Professional Perspective: Navigating Safety and Expectations During Massage House Calls
Response from Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies
While house calls, or outcalls as they are sometimes called, can be convenient for the client, they have the potential for being quite dangerous for the massage therapist. Taking a few preemptive steps can greatly increase your safety and help ensure that the session remains professional for both you and your client.
The best way to stay safe is by taking preemptive steps:
Don’t take same-day appointments from someone you don’t know. These last-minute calls should raise red flags all over the place.
Pre‑screen every new client before accepting an outcall. A brief phone or video conversation allows you to assess tone, expectations, and whether the client understands the professional nature of the session.
Set expectations in writing before the appointment. Send a confirmation message or intake form outlining what the client must do before your arrival: no alcohol, appropriate clothing, adequate space, pets secured, and any other policies you require.
Never bring a minor to a client’s home. While the submitter’s situation ended safely, bringing a child to an outcall introduces significant safety, ethical, and liability concerns. Therapists should arrive alone or with another adult professional if needed.
Always take a fully charged cell phone with you and share your live location with a trusted person, set timed check‑ins, and keep your phone accessible.
Have a clear exit plan. If you arrive and anything feels off — alcohol, inappropriate attire, unsafe environment, or simply a gut feeling — you are fully empowered to decline the session and leave immediately.
Review your liability insurance. Some policies have specific requirements for outcalls or restrictions on working with new clients in private residences. Make sure your procedures align with your coverage.
If you have multiple outcalls in a day, share your schedule with a trusted person and use location‑sharing or check‑in tools. Include client names, addresses, and appointment times so someone always knows where you are and when to expect you to finish.
Too many massage therapists going to a house call session have been, at the very least, surprised by the expectations of a new client and, at worst, placed in unsafe situations simply by not taking safety precautions. Clear communication, strong boundaries, and proactive planning can make outcall work both safe and professionally rewarding.
Originally posted March 2013. Updated December 18, 2025.
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