American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Practice Test

How should a massage therapist respond to a client who requests their personal cell phone number?

1. Decline and stop treating this client

2. Decline and instruct the client to call the clinic

3. Accept and give the personal number for client satisfaction

4. Accept as a standard practice for massage therapists

The correct answer is: Decline and instruct the client to call the clinic

The appropriate response for a massage therapist when a client requests their personal cell phone number is to decline the request and instruct the client to call the clinic. This approach ensures the professional boundaries between therapist and client are maintained, which is crucial in a therapeutic setting. By redirecting the client to the clinic's contact information, the therapist reinforces the importance of professional communication and maintains the integrity of the client-therapist relationship. Maintaining boundaries helps protect both the therapist and the client, ensuring that all communications occur within a professional context rather than through personal channels. It also promotes a sense of security for the client, knowing they are communicating through official clinic channels that are likely staffed by multiple professionals who can address their needs. This ensures respect for privacy and upholds professional standards within the therapeutic environment.