Establishing Trust and Respect
“Conduct their business and professional activities with
honesty and integrity, and respect the inherent worth of all
persons.”
--NCBTMB Code of Ethics
“conduct himself/herself in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals”
--NCBTMB Standard of Practice I c
“treat each client with dignity and respect”
--NCBTMB Standard of Practice I d
“promote his/her business with integrity and avoid potential and actual conflicts of interest”
--NCBTMB Standard of Practice IV f
“advertise in a manner that is honest, dignified, and representative of services
that can be delivered and remains consistent with the NCBTMB Code of Ethics”
--NCBTMB Standard of Practice IV g
Clients are expecting a protected environment. They are entrusting their modesty and their bodies to their therapist. Such an environment cannot be obtained if the therapist is engaged in commercial shortchanging. Clients are not unaware. The therapist needs to establish trust with the client from the beginning by making what they say and do a reflection of sincerity and sensitivity.
Be up front. Do not advertise what is not being offered or which is available only with a hitch. If a free half hour massage is advertised, it should be free and not contingent on the purchase of a package that the client is not made aware of until they phone or show up.
If the client asks the therapist’s credentials, they should be communicated correctly without deceit. For example, the therapist should not claim to have trained with a doctor if the only exposure to the physician was mowing a lawn back in high school.
Do not try to hype the impression given to the client. Avoid gimmicks or ploys. Have pricing plainly in sight. Either it’s tangible or it’s not.
Schemes in today’s commercial world are common. A free credit report advertised on the net can result in a six month fight to get a $69 credit service off one’s checking account. A computer center with an unprinted warranty may say only the hardware is protected—and then find every problem is caused by software. The therapist should not participate in that behavior. The therapist should not live in that world.
Clients should not be prejudged. They should all be treated with professionalism. A person who seems iffy may turn out to be one’s best client. The client is paying the therapist’s bills, supporting the therapist’s lifestyle. The therapist should be real with them and not inappropriate, over-familiar, or uppity.
There may be just and reasonable cause not to treat a particular client (see chapter 13) but even in advising the client of these circumstances, the inherent worth and dignity of the client should be respected and accounted for.
The therapist may have encountered some prejudice because of the profession. Perhaps licensing at a police station caused one to feel like a second class citizen. It is important the client never get this impression from the therapist. As the Greek ethicist Hesiod said in chapter 1, you get back what you put out. Demonstrate a professional caring attitude to all clients and you will benefit.