Record keeping is particularly applicable when working for another professional. The other person will want to see what progress is being made and will need the documentation when dealing with the client. Massage may be part of a larger plan of care embodying other disciplines and other providers.

The state may require certain information to be recorded, as the State of New York mandating that disclosures of confidential information be noted in the file.

In all these instances, record-keeping—those kept for the therapist’s professional reasons, for other professionals, or for state requirements—are worthless if not accurate. At best, disclosure of inaccuracies would be embarrassing. In a medical setting, they might lead to incorrect treatments. A state, discovering errors, might consider legal action.

At least one jurisdiction (the State of New York) gives the client the right to inspect the client’s records and take a copy. The client will expect a professional, accurate presentation.

Accuracy is another good reason for NCBTMB Standards of Practice III ( c ) which requires soliciting “… only information that is relevant to the professional client/therapist relationship.” Less information should mean fewer possible errors. There is a therapist whose four page intake form is available on the web. One of the items asked for is hobbies. Another therapist’s form on the web asks for ages of the client’s children. If none of this information needs to be in the records per Standard III ©, there is no chance of getting it wrong under Standard II (e). Not to mention, gratuitous questioning appear junky and invasive.