Arrival to Appointment
Arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to fill out the appropriate client forms, if you need to, and to change and prepare for the session. All sessions have a specific time schedule and early arrivals allow for a relaxed and easygoing experience. If you are late to your appointment, the session will be shortened to stay on schedule with upcoming appointments. Please try to be freshly showered and fragrant free when you arrive for your massage session.
Payment & Payment Information
We accept credit/debit cards, mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, and cash. We do not accept checks or payment plans. All payments must be paid before or after the session. If client cannot pay what is owed, the therapist can decide to not rebook and legal action may be taken.
Refund Policy
There is no refund for cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to the appointment. If you would like to get a refund, reach out to Gentle Moose Massage, LLC at (207) 410 - 2909 or rashellemassage@gmail.com, with your name, appointment date/time, refund amount, and the reasoning behind the refund request. The therapist reserves the right to make the final decision on any and all refunds issued.
Cancellation Policy and Fees
Required 24 hours in advance notice for cancellation with no fee. Any cancellation with less than a 24 hours' notice will be charged 25% of the price of the session. Clients who miss their appointment without any notice will be charged 50% of the price for the session. When you miss your appointment, the therapist not only loses your business but a potential client for that time frame.
If you are booking your massage within 24 hours of the actual appointment, there is no cancellation, and you will be charged the full amount of the appointment.
Remember, we value our time as well as yours, and there are many clients looking for massage appointments at the last minute. Cancellations or no-shows do cost us money. We are not only here to help you feel better but to make a living as well. Your business and health are both of importance to us.
Late Arrival
If you are late to your appointment, your allocated time block will remain the same to stay on schedule with upcoming appointments and the original reservation fee will be charged.
Sickness Policy
The massage therapist recognizes that both client and therapist are vulnerable to infection and illness. With that said, please call and reschedule your appointment if you are feeling unwell and the therapist will do the same for you.
Infection and illness includes but is not limited to: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Fever, Sore Throat, Thrush, Poison Ivy, Measles, Mumps, Hepatitis (A - Z), Meningitis, Flu, Chicken Pox, Polio, Conjunctivitis, Rubella, Head Lice, Impetigo, Ringworm of body, feet, or scalp, Whooping Cough or Common Cold, anything that is or could be contagious please reschedule your appointment.
Informed Consent
At the beginning of each session the treatment plan will be discussed with you. At your first visit you will be given a copy of the policies and will be asked to sign a form stating that you read the information, understand it and agree to comply with the massage therapist policies and procedures. Clients that haven't been seen for a year will be asked to sign a new one.
Massaging Minors
If the child is under 18 years old, a parent or guardian will be asked to sign the Minor Consent form. If the child is under 16 years old, the parent or guardian must be present for the duration of the session.
Child(ren) Supervision Expectations
Please arrange for your child(ren) supervision prior to the session. They may not wander around the spa without supervision. If children become disruptive to the therapist or other service provider sessions; the session will end, you will be charged in full for the appointment, and the therapist may decide whether or not to rebook. The therapist is not responsible for the care of the child while the adult is in a session.
Respect for Client Needs and Boundaries
The massage therapist is glad to adjust pressure, temperature, music volume, work on an area longer or move on when you are ready.
The client may choose to leave on as much clothing as they prefer and refuse any massage method. Client is free to leave at any time, with the chance of being charged either a percentage of the service or in full.
The client will be modestly draped at all times and only the area being worked on will be uncovered. The client will be kept informed of the area being worked on.
Breasts and genital areas will not be massaged under any circumstances. Permission will be asked before working near those areas. Hips, gluteal muscles and lower back/ abdomen will only be worked on with permission and can be done over the draping at request.
Occasionally, emotional responses occur from massage and if this happens it is perfectly okay to express these feelings. This is a judgement free and safe environment. The client may request privacy and/or to end the session at their discretion. The client is in full control of the session at all times.
Sexual interaction, sexual harassment or sexual conversation will not be tolerated and is never appropriate.
Professional Ethics/ Boundaries
Requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated and will be viewed as solicitation. This will result in the client's actions being immediately reported to the proper authorities. The session will be terminated immediately, and the client will be responsible for the full cost of the session. The offender/client will not be allowed to schedule with the therapist in the future for another session.
The massage therapist has the right to refuse services and to end the session at any time. The therapist also reserves the right to choose not to rebook in the future with a client.
If the therapist feels that their safety is compromised, the session will be ended immediately, proper authorities may be called, and full payment is due.
Sexual Misconduct
Requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated, will be viewed as solicitation, and may be reported to the proper authorities. This includes any illicit or sexually aggressive remarks, inappropriate touching, advances or gestures. The client will not be allowed back and will be charged for the full session.
Alcohol/Drug Use
It is highly discouraged to consume alcohol and/or drugs prior to your massage session. This is due to safety concerns. Those who are under the influence may display abnormal behavior, which could be potentially dangerous for themselves or others. It also impairs your ability to sense pain and discomfort, which is important for massage in order to prevent injury.
Confidentiality and Conversation
All client information and conditions are confidential and will not be discussed with anyone outside the company, such as family, friends, or other clients. If you wish for this information to be discussed with doctor's offices, the Release of Information form must be signed for written consent.
You may choose to talk or not to talk. Conversation is guided by the client. The therapist is happy to listen but prefers not to talk about topics such as politics or their private life.
If the therapist or client is uncomfortable with the topic, either may choose to stop the conversation and/or change the topic. If the topic becomes too inappropriate, such as asking personal matters or making advances, the massage session will be ended. The therapist reserves the right to not rebook with the client in the future.
Existing and New Medical Conditions
It is the responsibility of the client to keep the therapist informed of any medical conditions/injuries or treatments that are on-going. Written permission from the physician, physical therapist, chiropractor, etc. may be needed for the massage session to be continued. The client is also responsible for keeping the massage therapist up to date on any changes in health conditions. If you don't say, then the therapist doesn't know, and cannot adjust the session accordingly.
Oncology Massage
For clients undergoing chemo and radiation therapy - It is highly recommended to consult your doctor before receiving massage if you are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. It is best to seek someone who specializes in oncology massage to receive the best care. Massage has many benefits for those with cancer such as pain relief, nausea relief, lymphatic system support, and improved energy.
Scope of Practice
The massage therapist is licensed through the state of Maine and is held to the highest standards of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, kneading, tapping, rubbing, and/or causing movement of the body, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.
Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT) DO NOT prescribe, diagnose medical conditions, or make adjustments. The therapist may refer you to go see a medical doctor for diagnosis or treatment. Massage therapy is not an alternative to proper medical attention for specific conditions. Please refer to a medical doctor which requires medical treatment
Sanitation and Hygiene
All linens are washed after each session and equipment is sanitized before and after each session. Before and after each session the therapist will wash their hands and forearms with soap and water. Any breaks in the skin on the massage therapist will be covered with protective covering. Any breaks in the skin on the client should be brought up to the therapist so those areas can be avoided. The therapist holds the right to refuse service due to improper hygiene.
Documentation
Client Intake Forms: These are required of all new clients. You may choose to fill these out online or fill out a physical copy when you arrive. If you need to fill out a physical copy, please arrive 10 - 15 minutes prior to your session. The time of your session is the time of your session, so your session will not be extended to fill out forms.
List of Forms: (These are all forms that may contain client signatures or information regarding clients).
→ Health History Form (Filled Out & Signed by Client)
→ SOAP Note Form (Filled Out by Therapist)
→ Massage Liability Release Form (Signed by Client)
→ Guidelines & Expectations Form (Signed by Client)
→ Massage Informed Consent Form (Signed by Client)
→ Minor Consent Form (Signed by Client’s Legal Guardian)
→ Policy Notification Form (Signed by Client)
→ Prenatal Massage Consent & Release Form (Filled Out & Signed by Client)
→ Cupping Therapy Consent & Release Form (Filled Out & Signed by Client)
→ Hot Stone Massage Consent & Release Form (Filled Out & Signed by Client)
Storage and Confidentiality: All client records will be kept securely, in a specified location for a legally mandated time period with limited access for confidentiality.