Clinic Policies

I am committed to provide you with a professional, safe, therapeutic experience. I appreciate your also respecting my time, policies, and procedures. 

Scope of Practice

While I am attending university to further expand the services I offer, I am currently a Licensed Massage Therapist, Thai Bodyworker, and Reiki Master Practitioner. As a licensed massage therapist and energy practitioner, I cannot diagnose medical conditions or prescribe treatment for a specific condition. I do work with many physicians and am able to focus on a specific condition as specified in a referral or recommendation from your physician. If you need a diagnosis, treatment prescription, or if treatment requires something out of my scope of practice, I am happy to provide you with a referral to a physican or another appropriate health care provider that can help with these concerns.

I am able to provide you with manual therapy and energetic work through hands-on or use of tools (e.g. cups, guasha tools, etc.) to help improve your health and well-being and work toward your wellness goals (e.g., reduction in pain, relief of stress, improvement in mobility, self-care tips, etc.). Massage therapy can be beneficial for many symptoms, conditions, and goals and I can discuss this with you in more detail during your visit.

I have a practice code of ethics and am a member of the prestigious American Massage Therapy Association and the Thai Healing Alliance. I also serve my profession as a board member for the Massage Therapy Foundation. That said, I follow all guidelines set forth in my licensing through the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation, the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, and any other applicable federal, state, and local regulating agencies. During COVID-19, I am following guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Existing and New Medical Conditions

You will be asked to complete a detailed health history form online or via telephone to best serve you. It is important that you answer this information thoroughly and completely to receive the best possible safe, therapeutic experience. These questions will help to safely guide your treatment; set goals; and assess your progress. It is your responsibility to update me whenever anything in your medical history changes.

There are many instances in which massage therapy may be contraindicated completely (e.g., fever, contagious disease, under the influence, etc.) or locally (e.g. cuts, burns, inflammation, severe varicose veins, DVT, etc.). Additionally, in some instances your session or type of massage may need to be modified to safely accommodate your condition (e.g. pregnancy, osteoporosis, joint dislocation, etc.) and/or permission or further guidance from your physician may be necessary (e.g. cancer, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, etc.).

Neither Journey to Wellness, Inc. or it’s massage therapists can be held liable for any injury or exacerbation of a medical condition that you neglected to disclose. 

Rights

You have the right to a clean, safe, and comfortable environment. You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. It is my desire to create a space where everyone feels valued and welcome.  I hope to share in the responsibility of your health and wellness, do no harm, and always be sensitive to your needs. I strive to cultivate a friendly, compassionate space within which you can be comfortable to receive the work. I have chosen to embrace and celebrate the differences and similarities of our diverse age, color, culture, language, and status. And I strive to accommodate the needs of any person with physical, visual, or auditory impairments. Please let me know if you have any specific needs. I will endeavor to respect your preferred pronouns and to use non-sexualized language. I will not discriminate or tolerate discrimination on the basis of age, sex, gender, status, or sexual orientation.

Responsibility

It is your responsibility to communicate your preferences, expectations, and/or concerns. It is your responsibility to communicate your accurate and complete health information and reasons for seeking care. It is your responsibility to adhere to all policies and procedures established by Journey to Wellness, Inc. 

Informed Consent / Right of Refusal

Immediately prior to each session a quick check-in will be made, a review of treatment plan for that visit will be discussed, and verbal consent to treat will be obtained. At any time, you have the right to refuse or stop treatment for any reason. Likewise, as your massage therapist, I have the right to refuse or stop treatment based on any health-related conditions or contraindications that may jeopardize your health or wellness.  

Expectations

During the consent process, management of expectations is also important. We will discuss your goals, determine the best course of action, and reassess those goals periodically. I will strive to manage and modify your treatment plan accordingly and do my best to review risk and benefits of that plan with you. If you ever have any questions about the type(s) of treatment you may receive or your responses to that treatment, please do not hesitate to ask.

Patients can experience a wide range of responses to massage therapy either during (e.g., moving or changing position, yawning, change in breath, change in temperature, stomach gurgling, sleeping, emotional feelings or memories, energy shifts, etc.) or following care (e.g., discomfort, soreness, petechiae or temporary skin discoloration, sleepiness, etc.) . If you are ever unsure about a response to care, please do not hesitate to ask.

There are also many benefits (e.g. pain relief, stress/anxiety relief, decreased tension, increased mobility, improved sleep, gastrointestinal relief, injury recovery, etc.) related to massage therapy that I am happy to discuss with you as they relate to your specific condition(s) or you can also learn more here. 

Confidentiality / Privacy

All discussions between you as the patient and me as the massage therapist are completely confidential and I respect your privacy. Your modesty will be respected during a table session by keeping all areas not presently being worked on covered with a sheet.

Additionally, your personal information will never be shared with anyone without your consent. More information on privacy of information can be found in the separate privacy policy. 

Boundaries

Any form of sexual misconducted or harassment will not be tolerated. Requests for sexual activity, will be viewed as solicitation, and reported to the proper authorities. The session will be stopped immediately, payment will be due in full, and you will not be re-booked. Sexual interaction or discussion of this sort is never appropriate between a patient and massage therapist and will not be tolerated. The breast and genital area will never be massaged under any circumstances. However, muscles in the chest, abdomen, low back, hip, and gluteal regions, are commonly massaged dependent on your areas of complaint. If there are ever any areas you would like to avoid during a session, please discuss these with me prior to your session. 

Additionally, if for any reason you are uncomfortable removing clothing to receive your table session, despite being covered with sheets. Another form of therapeutic massage may be more beneficial to you. Ask me about clothed sports massage, Thai bodywork, or Reiki; each of these forms of massage can be done fully clothed.

Minors

I often work with minors under the age of 16, especially with concerns related to athletic injury or specific health conditions. While the parent is always responsible for medical information, consent to treatment, and payment; I will always request assent from the minor prior to and during receipt of any work. It is the parents right to remain present in the treatment room during the session, in fact, I encourage a parental presence specifically during the first session. Following that visit, it is up to the parent and child if you want to remain in the treatment room. You are required to remain in the suite during treatment though. 

Caregivers

I often work with elderly and/ or disabled patients that may be under the care of another. Depending on the circumstance, if you as caregiver are responsible for medical information, consent to treatment, and payment; I will always request assent from the patient as well prior to and during receipt of any work. If the patient requires help dressing/undressing and getting on/off the massage table, it is the caregiver’s responsibility to remain in the treatment room to assist the patient. Journey to Wellness, Inc. does not currently have an electronic table to assist with treatment. Therefore, if you feel the table height may be an issue, please notify us ahead of time and we will ensure the table is lowered to an accessible level for you and the patient prior to your arrival. It is the caregiver’s right to remain present in the treatment room during the session, in fact, I encourage a presence specifically during the first session. Following that visit, it is up to the patient and caregiver if you want to remain in the treatment room. You are required to remain in the suite during treatment though.

Arrival to Your Appointment / Late Start

Please arrive a few minutes early for your scheduled appointment time to allow for a calm, relaxed experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this may mean you will wait until your appointment time to enter the clinic. If you arrive late, for any reason, your service will be shortened to keep on schedule. You will still be charged the full rate for your scheduled appointment. 

In-Session Communication

Some patients enjoy talking during the sessions, for some this talking can be cathartic and helpful with the relaxation process. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I will ask that you keep conversations limited to your treatment and experience during the session. My goal is to provide you with a relaxing and therapeutic experience; however, I am happy to listen to any appropriate conversation and share any requested professional expertise. I will never instigate a conversation that is not directly related to your care and well-being. I also want to make sure that you feel comfortable speaking up about anything happening during your treatment (e.g., if you would like more focus on an area, if you would like the pressure modified, if anything is uncomfortable, if you would like to change anything such as tools, lotions, temperature, etc.). 

Cancellation/No Shows/Rescheduling

I understand that unforeseen circumstances arise; however, if life is too hectic right now, you may want to consider rescheduling your session. That said, please provide me with a MINIMUM 24-hour notice if you need to cancel, change, or reschedule your session in anyway. If you no show or do not provide ample cancellation/rescheduling time, you will be charged full price for the appointment (or will forfeit one of your package sessions or gift certificate). I currently, do not require pre-payment for services so this payment will be due at time of rescheduling. The exception to this rule is, during the COVID-19 pandemic, you are expected to notify me right away if you have any new COVID symptoms or have been diagnosed with COVID. In this circumstance, should you awaken feeling ill on the morning of your appointment, you will not be charged or penalized for cancellation or rescheduling your appointment. 

Payment

Payment for services is due at the end of your treatment session. Forms of payment include credit card, gift certificate or package session, cash, or check. During the COVID-19 pandemic, please consider using a form of contactless payment such as a credit card or online payment (PayPal/ Venmo).

No (Cash, Check or Credit) Tipping Policy

At Journey to Wellness, Inc. I stand by my no tipping policy. I am here as a health care service provider to help you met your therapeutic goals. I prefer that you use any "extra" funds to purchase the sessions you need to achieve your goals. One of the best ways you can support me is to refer patients or write me a review (links to these can be found in my emails or on my website). If you feel like you would still like to do more, I appreciate you, and will happily accept donations in my name to a charity. Here is one of my favorite ones. 

Gift Certificates / Packages

Gift certificates and packages do not expire. However, it is recommended that you try to use them based on the treatment schedule your massage therapist recommends for your specific conditions and goals.

All standard gift certificate and package rates are for in-office sessions only.

All standard gift certificate and package purchase rates may not be split or combined with any other offers.

Only the 12-session packages may be shared with ONE other person, though Journey to Wellness, Inc. recommends you use them all toward achieving your own health and wellness goals and gift an individual session or small package to your friend or family member so that they may begin to work toward their own wellness goals.

Physical gift certificates may be purchased in-office for individual sessions or packages. E-gift certificate or package gifts may be purchased via phone and/or email through direct e-invoicing.