The wounded healer

The Myth of the Wounded Healer is the story of every health care professional, alternative and mainstream.

The Myth of the Wounded Healer goes something like this…

In Greek mythology Chiron was a centaur, half man- half horse. His father was Kronos and his mother was named Philyra. Kronos was head over heals in love with Philyra, but she didn’t want anything to do with him. She turned herself into a mare to try to escape from Kronos, but Kronos turned himself into a stallion and well…you know… they mated and had Chiron. It was the typical male leaves after getting what he wants scenario. Chiron was born and his mother was appalled to find that he was a centaur that she abandoned Chiron. So the intial wounding for Chiron occurs because he was abandoned and rejected by both of his parents at birth.

Chiron was adopted by Apollo, the sun god. Apollo taught Chiron well and Chiron went on to become a mentor to some quite famous Greek Gods such as Asclepius (who became a famous healer in his own right), Achilles, and Hercules.And it was Hercules who became the instigator of the second wounding in which he accidentally hits Chiron in the knee with one of his arrows. It was a special arrow that caused a wound that could never be healed.Chiron was also immortal so he had to live with a wound that would never heal. That means he would never die.

The story goes on but what is important is the wound that never heals.

As massage therapists how do we re-create this myth in our work and in our personal lives? The Wounded Healer lives in most of us somewhere.

So often we are drawn to a helping profession more to heal our own wounds through the process of trying to help others. But often what we are really needing is to take care of ourselves.

I have seen many come to this profession because they were helped by the process of massage therapy personally after all other medicine had failed. I have also seen people become massage therapists because of having a sick or injured family member or spouse.

When we work on others to heal ourselves, the focus is taken away from the client and we are actually doing them a dis-service.

Before becoming a massage therapist it is important to begin looking at the true reasons for wanting to become one.

This is also necessary as we begin a practice or job in massage therapy. The more we can become aware of ourselves and our own needs and work to get them met in other areas besides in working with clients, we can be of service to our clients.

See Also: The Call to Help

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Having the money you need

One of the issues that you will be faced with in choosing the massage profession is how will you pay for massage school and how will you have the money to start a massage practice.  If you don’t have the money to go to school or you don’t have the money to start your practice there are most likely deeper issues to be dealt with.

It is our thoughts and beliefs that create what we have.  So by looking at what you have or don’t have, you can begin to increase your awareness of your thoughts.  You can also look at what you are feeling to tell you what you are thinking. Your feelings are what inform you of whether or not you are on target with what you are supposed to be doing.

It is the basic message of the movie “The Secret”
I just wrote about this on my website www.workless-playmore.com.

The Science of Getting Rich Practical Geniuses Course

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The Secret

Even Oprah is talking about the movie “The Secret“, but for me it isn’t anything new. In fact it is what I have been studying and doing for years. It is what I have been writing about here and on my websites. It is what I have been doing when I write here and on my websites. When I started my websites, I never imagined I would be able to make money doing so. It was just a hobby, a passion. I had the secret all along- they should have made the movie about me!
“The Secret” is a documentary that talks about the “law of attraction” and how to use it for anything from increasing your wealth, finding love, becoming healthy and what ever you want to do with it.

The basic premise is that what you think will become your reality. It isn’t anything different than what Carl Jung was talking about or what Ester and Jerry Hicks were talking about in their book “The Law of attraction“. It even starts earlier than that with the book written in 1910 by Wallace Wattles, called the “Science of Getting Rich“.

I have been doing the online course called “Practical Geniuses” by Rebecca Fine of scienceofgettingrich.net. You can download the free ebook there which is the original book by Mr. Wattles. But the big difference really is in taking the course that she has developed that really explores the whole concept more deeply and helps you to really dig into your unconscious thoughts and change them.

You see your thoughts basically create everything. What you think creates your feelings and what you feel turns into actions. Taking action is the key to getting whatever you desire, but first you have to be really clear about what it is that you really desire and be able to see the difference in what your heart desires and what your ego needs and wants. When you act to fill the needs/wants of your ego, you may be able to make things happen but it will most likely be a struggle or be short lasting.

So often we are not aware of what we are thinking because most of what we think is unconscious. Our thoughts are programed so that we are not even conscious of them. It is like driving a car - you don’t have to tell yourself to step on the gas or brake -it just happens. So the thing is becoming conscious of what you are thinking requires that you start tuning into what you are feeling. Your feelings will tell you when your thinking is coming from your ego because it will be full of fear - competition, not enough money, not enough clients…those are all things that you think up to keep yourself from getting what you desire. And sometimes you may be able to see really clearly what you just thought about to create that feeling and sometimes you won’t, but what you can do is to start thinking something different to create a different feeling. My favorite thing to think about is puppies or kittens- they really make me smile.

So for instance - if you are in debt and keep saying you want to get out of debt you are still focusing on the debt. To get out of debt you need to focus on making more money and how you are going to use your creativity, ingenuity and life force to make more. Keep your thoughts focused on your vision - what you want - not just I want to get out of debt but why do you want to get out of debt - what does it mean to you?

One of the comments from one of the guests on Oprah said something like “debt is not being able to forgive”. Forgiveness is being able to say “thank you for giving me the experience of debt (or whatever is happening in your life at the moment) so you can learn to see yourself more clearly.
or I want to lose weight…or I want to be healthy…they imply that you don’t have health or you are to overweight.
All of these statements are focusing your thoughts on the lack of what you don’t have.

What you do have is the simple things - you have 2 legs, two arms and a head (hopefully - or what ever it is that you do have).

If you have diabetes, focus on what you do have- not the diabetes.

What is it that you do have? Do you have a nice house? great family?

So for purposes of building a massage practice and attracting new clients and XX amount of dollars to live and be comfortable. I always used to keep adding up -ok so x number of clients a week would give my x amount of dollars or how many clients would I need to do to get x amount of dollars. When I finally stopped counting and started focusing on what I want to be doing and that is creating a healing environment where people can get massage and what I think massage does is allows people to feel themselves more.

I also found that I really love writing and love the website concept- being able to make money writing about what I love and then also teaching others how to do the same. It sort of just happened when I was busy doing what I love - the writing and creating websites. That is why I love the Sitebuildit! process also. It keeps you focused on what it is that you want to be doing and provides the software (and people) for supporting that process. The whole concept is to build traffic through creating high quality content and also that it is NOT a get rich quick scheme but something that evolves and it is a learning process. The whole idea is to be so passionate about something that you will keep learning and do what ever it takes to make is a success. (Success is just following through!) SBI is all about the secret - it gets you thinking about what it is that you really love and helps you figure out a way to make money doing so. The step by step process keeps you focused on your concept and keeps you acting in a way that supports what you are trying to do.

So if you are interested in experiencing the secret first hand - Purchase a SBI site, Join the Science of Getting Rich program and watch the movie The Secret.

The thing to remember is that we are all human and this is a process. We aren’t perfect.

It is all just another way of saying “Just do it”…

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NCE Exam

The NCE exam for massage therapists is supposedly an attempt to create national regulation of massage therapists.  It does not allow you to practice in any state that you want.

You can take the test if you need to for state licensing without getting the National Certification Status as outlined in their rules.  Keith Grant informed me of this little catch in the NCE in his article “Conned- Critique of New NCBTMB Eligibility Determinan

In the application form it states:

If a candidate does not wish to become nationally certified, but is still required to take and pass the National Certification Examinations in order to practice in a particular jurisdiction, then he or she may select, NCBTMB National Examination for States Licensing (NESL) option.The NESL option is available to any candidate who is denied eligibility for certification through NCBTMB, either by the traditional application or portfolio review process. In addition, the NESL option is available to candidates who do not wish to become nationally certified or do not meet the eligibility criteria that are outlined in this the National Certification Examination Candidate Handbook. Candidates who select the NESL option are not required to submit notarized copies of  diplomas and/or official transcripts. However, candidates are still required  to adhere to all policies and procedures associated with the examinations, as they are outlined in the National Certification Examination Candidate Handbook.”

I am not sure quite what that means but I think it means you can take the test without going to school.  I may be wrong on that and hope to get some clarification on that.

Posted in Licensing and Legislation | No Comments »

Disciplining Massage Therapists

I have been researching the state boards and licensing issues in the states so that I could include some of the information in my website as to what it is like to practice in each state.

I found an interesting section on some states websites about the disciplinary actions they are taking against massage therapists and the reasons they are taking them. I also just read that the new FSMT is planning on having a national database to track people who violoate the laws.

We could get in to the issues regarding the law and do we even need laws to protect the public from harm as many of the laws think they are doing, but I’ll put that in a separate page on my other blog www.thebodyworker.com

Here are some of the findings of what massage therapists are getting in trouble for:

Alabama massage therapy disiplinary actions

These listings come directly from the State of WA Dept of Health website.

“In October 2006 the Massage Program entered and Agreed Order with massage practitioner Gary T. Kiyonaga (MA00015721). He agrees to surrender his license and not practice massage in Washington. Kiyonaga touched a patient’s genitals.”

“In November 2006 the Massage Board charged Issaac L. Rakestraw, an applicant to practice as a massage therapist (CA00008767), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of possessing a dangerous weapon, assault, obstructing a public servant and assault with a deadly weapon.”

“In November 2006 the Massage Program placed the license of massage practitioner Myong Pang (MA00018747) on probation for five years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Pang is the owner and/or operator of Classic Body Tonic Spa, Lynnwood, in which she allowed an unlicensed practitioner to perform massages and/or sexual acts on an undercover officer.”

“In November 2006 the Massage Therapy Program denied the application of Joo H. Badgley to practice as a massage therapist (CA00008073). She may not reapply for three years. Badgley practiced massage without a license and touched a client’s genitals. She was arrested and charged with prostitution.”

“In October 2006 the Massage Program placed the license of massage practitioner Jason A. Cady (MA00019947) on probation for five years. He must comply with terms and conditions. Cady had sexual contact with a client.”

In October 2006 the Massage Program amended a Final Order against Dale A. Neel, licensed to practice massage (MA00011286). His license is revoked for 10 years for sexual misconduct. Neels’s license was immediately suspended in March 2006 for this misconduct.

In September 2006 the Massage Program placed the license of massage practitioner M. Esther Chandler (MA00016260) on probation for two years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Chandler engaged in a bartering system with a client and had a sexual relationship with the client.

In October 2006 the Massage Program charged Russell R. Turpin, an applicant to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008666), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of theft and court-ordered to serve time in jail when he did not comply with the criminal sentence.

In October 2006 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Petra Murdoch (MA00019198) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly practiced massage without a valid license and failed to comply with an order imposing restrictions on her license.

In August 2006 the Massage Program charged Ann Marie Taylor, a massage practitioner (MA00004584), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include allowing an unlicensed individual to practice massage and practicing herself without a valid license.

Oregon: In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist order against Julie Grant. She must immediately stop the unlicensed practice of massage in Washington.

In August 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a cease and desist order against Aubrey Hart Sparks, Seattle, for practicing massage without a license. Sparks advertised as a massage therapist on an Internet Web site and in the Seattle Weekly.

In August 2006 the Massage Program denied the application of Raun J. Sedlock to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008129). He is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Yong Yan. He allegedly performed massage therapy to the public and presented a business card offering massage therapy. Yong Yan is also known as Bill Yan. He is not licensed as a health care provider.In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Aubrey Hart Sparks. He allegedly advertised and represented himself as a massage therapist. Sparks does not have a license to perform massage.

In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Myong Chow. Chow allegedly performed massage on a client in exchange for money; Chow does not have a license to practice massage.

In July 2006 the Massage Program denied the application of Lee A. Erhart to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008524). He was convicted of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

In July 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Jung Kyu Park. Park allegedly performed massage on multiple clients at Newlife Fitness and Spa in Lynnwood. Park does not have a license to practice massage. Jung Kyu Park is also known as Chung Kyu Park.

In June 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program amended a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Faith He. While working at Salon Domani, Bellevue, she allegedly administered an injection under a patient’s skin. Other allegations against her include representing herself as a registered nurse and advertising she provided acupuncture and massage services at the salon. She does not have a credential to practice as a health care provider in Washington.

Allegations of sexual misconduct led the Washington State Department of Health to immediately suspend the license of Charlie Cheng, a massage therapist in Seattle (MA00004389). This action, called a summary suspension, means Cheng cannot practice or be employed as a massage therapist in Washington, pending the outcome of a hearing.

According to the statement of charges, Cheng engaged in sexual misconduct with a client including inappropriately touching her breasts and genital area. In 2000 Cheng was charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly touching three female clients in a sexual manner. These charges resulted in an Agreed Order in which Cheng agreed to restrictions of his license, including notifying female patients they can request a chaperone during treatment.

In June 2006 the Massage Program charged Lee A. Erhart, an applicant to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008524), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes and allegedly concealed the conviction on his application.

In June 2006 the Massage Program charged Myong Pang, a massage practitioner (MA00018747), with unprofessional conduct. Pang was the owner and/or operator of Classic Body Tonic Spa, where she allegedly allowed an unlicensed person to perform massages and sexual acts on a client.

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked the license of Sumner massage therapist John Wiley (MA00008270) for seven years on charges of sexual misconduct. Wiley cannot practice or be employed as a massage therapist in Washington.

Wiley committed unprofessional conduct by having inappropriate sexual contact with several female clients including exposing and touching clients’ breasts, genitals and buttocks. He also made inappropriate sexual comments to the clients. His license was immediately suspended in January 2006.

Wiley may not reapply or request modification of the Agreed Order for seven years. Before he can ask to resume practice as a massage therapist, he will be required to undergo an evaluation by a certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider and meet other conditions to assure safe and competent practice.

In May 2006 the Massage Program amended a statement of charges against Emily S. Suttle, a massage practitioner (MA0014703). She is charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly attempting to obtain a controlled substance from a patient and pretending to be a patient to obtain controlled substances.

In May 2006 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Gary T. Kiyonaga (MA00015721) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly touched a client’s genital area during a massage.

In May 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order against Maria Gent. She must immediately stop the unlicensed practice of massage and stop representing herself as a massage therapist. While working at DTM & Luxury Foot Spa in Bremerton, Gent represented herself as a massage practitioner and gave massages to clients.

In May 2006 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner M. Esther Chandler (MA00016260) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a client.

In April 2006 the Massage Program placed the license of massage practitioner Zhang “Dana” Zhiqin (MA00020235) on probation for two years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Zhiqin knowingly allowed unlicensed employees to perform massages on clients.

In March 2006 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Heather N. Mignone (MA00017863) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder and concealed the convictions on her application. She is also charged with having a sexual relationship with a patient.

In March 2006 the Massage Program revoked the license of massage practitioner Heather N. Mignone (MA00017863) for 10 years. He was convicted of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation to commit murder.

In March 2006 the Massage Program placed the license of massage practitioner Randall L. Kenyon (MA00013417) on probation for five years. He must comply with terms and conditions. Kenyon touched a client in a sexual manner during a massage.

In March 2006 the Massage Program granted Sonja M. Gleason a license to practice massage (CA00007687). Her license is placed on probation and she must comply with terms and conditions. Gleason has several criminal convictions, including possessing stolen property, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possessing methamphetamine.

In March 2006 the Massage Program granted Sonja M. Gleason a license to practice massage (CA00007687). Her license is placed on probation and she must comply with terms and conditions. Gleason has several criminal convictions, including possessing stolen property, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possessing methamphetamine.
In February 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order against Michelle Granger. She must immediately stop the unlicensed practice of massage. Granger has practiced massage and represented herself as a massage practitioner and she holds no credential to practice massage.

A Kirkland massage therapist has been revoked from practice after failing to respond to charges of sexual misconduct. The state Department of Health has revoked the license of Marques Garcia (MA00020765) for 10 years.

Garcia’s license was immediately suspended in February 2006 for sexual misconduct charges; he failed to respond or request a hearing. Garcia was employed as a personal trainer at a fitness center in Kirkland and had a personal training gym and massage table in his home. He engaged in sexual misconduct with a client during massage and personal training sessions at his residence and while at a nearby park. This included kissing the client and inappropriately touching and exposing her breasts and genital area during a massage.

In February 2006 the Massage Program withdrew a statement of charges against Craig S. Martindale, a massage practitioner (MA00019191).

In February 2006 the Massage Program charged Emily S. Suttle, a massage practitioner (MA00014703), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include asking a patient to give her a controlled substance from the patient’s personal prescription

In February 2006 the Massage Program granted the application of Jarrid D. Horn for reactivation of his license to practice as a massage practitioner (MA00008352). His license is placed on probation for two years and he must comply with terms and conditions. Horn was convicted of violating the uniform controlled substance act

In February 2006 the Massage Program vacated a Final Order with Zhang “Dana” Zhiqin, a massage practitioner (MA00020235). There are pending charges of unprofessional conduct against him

In January 2006 the Massage Program charged Jarrid D. Horn, a candidate for reactivation of his expired massage practitioner license (MA00008352), with unprofessional conduct. In 2002, he was convicted of violating the uniform controlled substances act. In February 2003, the program accepted an agreed order, in which he admitted the conviction. The reactivation was granted and his license is on probation for two years. He must comply with terms and conditions.

In January 2006 the Massage Program charged Joo H. Badgley, an applicant to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008073), with unprofessional conduct. She was arrested and charged with prostitution

Charges of sexual contact with clients have led the Washington State Department of Health to revoke the license of Wenatchee massage therapist Richard Oaks (MA00018032). The revocation will be in place for 20 years and prohibits Oaks from practicing or being employed as a massage therapist in Washington.

Oaks admitted to inappropriate sexual contact with clients, including touching their breasts and genitals, engaging in oral sex with more than one client and masturbating four to five clients and himself during massage sessions. Oaks also had affairs with at least four clients.

In January 2006 the Massage Program indefinitely suspended the license of Zhang “Dana” Zhiqin, a massage practitioner (MA00020235). She knowingly allowed unlicensed people to perform massages on clients at the spa she owned and operated

In December 2005 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Randall L. Kenyon (MA00013417) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly touched a client in a sexual manner.

The Washington State Department of Health has immediately suspended the license of John Wiley, a Sumner massage therapist (MA00008270) on allegations of sexual misconduct. This action, called a summary suspension, means Wiley cannot practice or be employed as a massage therapist in Washington, pending the outcome of a hearing.

According to the statement of charges, Wiley engaged in sexual misconduct with 11 clients during massage sessions. The allegations of the misconduct include inappropriately exposing and touching clients’ breasts, genitals and buttocks and making inappropriate sexual comments to clients. Wiley also physically grabbed a client.

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