Advanced Therapeutic Massage - Policies/Procedures

Policies & Procedures

Appointment Policies

Each massage session is either 60 or 90 minutes long depending on treatment requested. I allow up to an additional 20 minutes total for pre-massage updates, for you to get undressed and on the table and post-massage for you to get off the table and dressed and come out and talk with me a bit.

I see clients Monday through Friday from 11:00 A.M. until 4:00 PM, (last session ends at 4:30 PM).

I return calls within 24 hours unless I'm out of town. I return calls from the hours of 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

All of the appointments occur at 3025 10th Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa. House calls are not available at this time.

The first appointment, which includes a history and an assessment, lasts approximately 15 minutes longer than actual massage time requested. You will be required to sign your intake form acknowledging these policies and procedures.

If a client is late for a session, the session still falls within the allotted time slot. If I am late, the session lasts the full scheduled massage time or the session fee is discounted.

If you wish to cancel an appointment, you must do so 24 hours in advance, or you're charged for the full amount of the service scheduled unless the appointment can be filled. If you don't show up at all without notifying me, then you will be billed the entire missed appointment fee. Emergency cancellations aren't charged for at my discretion. Having to work later than planned is not an emergency. If I need to cancel an appointment, I do so within 24 hours whenever possible. If I can't do so, your next session is at no charge unless it is because I'm ill. I don't make appointment reminder notifications. Once you have scheduled your appointment, it's your responsibility to remember it.

I have the right to discontinue services to clients that do not value my work or my time and make me feel uncomfortable.

Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes early for your appointment because I can't guarantee that I will be ready for you. If you are early, please expect that your massage still may not begin until the scheduled time.

When you arrive for your appointment, please park on the RIGHT side of the driveway or along the street curb. Press the doorbell and wait for me to greet you.

You do not need to remove your shoes once you come inside. My office is down the hall from the entry so plan on continuing to walk back once I let you in.

For our protection... I lock the front door while we are working together and put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door to eliminate interruptions.

Once the massage session begins, you MUST let me know if anything I do for you is unpleasant and wish for me to stop. Also, if you love something, speak up so I can make notes of your favorites and do them more in the future.

If you are wanting treatment for pain and stiffness of a certain area and still want a full body massage, please do yourself a favor and schedule a 90-minute session. That way I can completely address the area that needs more time and then still be able to cover all areas (except genitals) so that you don't feel like anything was missed. If you schedule less time, then you need to specify your priorities for the session and let me know what areas are least important to you.

I don't push clients to rebook but I will ask you if you want to. It's just a lot easier to get your appointments scheduled in advance so you can get a time that works best for you.

Deep massage can be a lot like a good workout and you may be a little sore the next day. Many clients say that drinking a couple of glasses of water helps and prevents post massage soreness. If you become concerned with the amount of soreness you experience, then the next session I will adjust the pressure. I always do deep therapy to get the best results even for just stress relief. Deep-tissue does not mean "hard" or "pain". Deep-Tissue Massage can be done with even lighter, non-invasive pressure. All sessions I provide include a wide variety of techniques that I have picked up over my 12 years as a massage therapist. I never do just Swedish, or just Deep-Tissue, etc. I provide an awesome integrated treatment just for you.

Let me know if you are allergic to cats or dogs. I have two massage mascot kitties that just about everyone loves to get there pet therapy from. I can make sure they do not come into the office if you are allergic to them. I also have two small dogs (Pugs) that stays upstairs during our work together. They are normally very quiet but there may be a time when they give a bark to say hi when you first come in the door. If you hate animals, then I'm definitely not the right therapist for you.

Fees

If during my initial assessment I determine with reasonable certainty that my work won't help you, we end the session at that time and you aren't charged for the first appointment.

Massage therapy treatments are $75 for 60 minutes and $100 for 90 minutes. Packages of four sessions are available for 60-minute sessions. Four 60-minute massages are $275. 90-minute packages are not available. Payment is due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made prior to the appointment. I accept cash and checks. You can also pay by credit card through PayPal here on my website. I do not bill clients nor provide direct billing for insurance.

Sometimes private insurance companies reimburse clients for my services. It is best to get a prescription from a doctor if you wish to submit to your insurance company. I provide you with a receipt but can't guarantee that your visits will be covered by insurance. In many cases they will be covered, but that is at the discretion of the insurance company.

Professionalism

Our profession ascribes to a code of ethical behavior, which is available upon request. I follow all of the statements in this ethical code and have strong beliefs that practitioners and their clients shouldn't engage in intimate social relationships.

I perform services for which I'm qualified (professionally, physically and emotionally) and able to do, and refer to appropriate specialists when work is not within my scope of practice or not in the client's best interest.

I respect all clients regardless of their age, gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, body type, political affiliation, state of health, and personal habits.

Recourse Policy

If you are dissatisfied with the massage treatment, you receive a full refund for that session or a complimentary treatment.