Key Points

• As a mobile massage therapist, you need to make thoughtful decisions about which clients you’ll accept.

• Asking prospective clients seven specific questions can deter or stop sexual predators.

• Watching for red flags and following your gut can help keep you from entering a dangerous situation.

Mobile massage therapy appointments have been on the rise since the pandemic has confined many people to their homes. Many massage therapists are leery about going into a stranger’s home because they have little control of what they are walking into, while others don’t think twice about providing in-home massage appointments. When I started my mobile massage career 22 years ago, I was the latter.

Looking back, I realize I wasn’t doing anything to protect myself. I wanted all the clients I could get. I didn’t care about the location or the time, and I didn’t do anything to screen potential clients before I arrived. The world has changed a lot since those days.       

Throughout my entire career, I have had numerous family members, friends, and massage therapists question my sanity as to why I am so comfortable going into someone else’s space that I know nothing about. This never bothered me until a good friend was sexually assaulted in the middle of a massage and had to run from the home, leaving all her belongings to call the police. Since that day, I have implemented many safety and screening protocols to ensure I am only accepting clients who will not cross the line.

What questions should you ask when screening a potential client? What protocols can you put in place to differentiate between those looking for massage therapy and those looking for “extras”? How can you ensure safety?

The More Information, the Better

As a mobile therapist, you need to decide whether you want to offer online booking and allow anyone to book a massage with you, hire an answering service, or screen and schedule the appointments yourself. Whatever model you choose, it is a smart idea to have a screening protocol and require a booking fee to hold the appointment time—or require full payment pre-appointment. Each new client should fill out a health history form, a consent form, and an expected conduct form. Many predators do not want to share their personal information, so requiring all this information at time of booking is a wise idea and can deter those looking for something other than massage therapy.

When screening and scheduling, it is important to get as much information as possible. You should ask as many questions as you want until you are satisfied with the information you have received. When I have a new inquiry, I thank them for inquiring about my mobile massage services. I reiterate that I offer professional therapeutic massage therapy and that I am licensed with the Department of Health in Florida. Then, I proceed with my screening and send them the forms I need them to complete.

Screening Questions

There are seven main questions you should always ask that can help you decide whether this person is a client you want to see. These questions and a little internet searching can quickly sort potential clients into the kind you want—and the kind you do not want.

1. What is Your Full Name?

You would be surprised at how many inquiries you will receive in which the client doesn’t even mention their first name. Always get their first and last name. By having their full name, you can do an internet search to see if there are any sexual assault charges or other arrest charges that have been brought against them. You may also be able to find a lot of information about them on social media. 

2. How Did You Find Me?

If your potential client came from a referral, you can quickly confirm their identity. This question can also track leads from any marketing you’re doing. Did you see them at a health fair? Run into them at the gym? Or did they find you by doing an online search for massage therapists in their area?

3. Have You Had a Professional Massage Before?

Many people have never had a massage. This answer can let you know whether the client has an understanding of massage therapy or needs a more thorough explanation. Clients new to massage may need more information during booking than people with more experience.
 
4. If So, What Was Your Experience?

This answer can let you know the type of massage the client might be seeking. It may give you insights into what they like and don’t like or if they are looking for something other than massage.
 
5. What Type of Massage are You Looking For?

This answer will let you know if you provide the type of massage they are seeking and if they are indeed seeking legitimate massage therapy services. If they respond with a modality you do not offer, it is best to refer out. This question can also help you screen out those looking for extras.

6. Do You Have Any Areas of Pain or a Recent Injury or Surgery?

This question can help you decide whether this is your ideal client or one you should refer out. I had a potential male client ask me why I asked this question when he just wanted a massage. Those looking for something other than massage therapy do not understand why you need so much personal information when they just want a “massage.” It is the therapist’s job to make sure the potential client understands the service they provide and actions that will not be tolerated. This question can often deter those wanting something other than massage.

7. What is Your Address?

This will allow you to determine whether this client is within an area you are willing to travel to. With this information, you can do a quick online search with their name to see if you can find any information that would make you decide not to accept this person as a client. I have found arrest records of those involved in domestic violence, theft, and assault. Needless to say, I did not accept these clients.

Assign a Volunteer Safety Officer

One of the most important things you can do is let someone know where you are at all times. This person can be your significant other, a family member, or a friend. Your safety officer would have access to your schedule and know your whereabouts at all times. They would have access to your client’s name, address, and phone number (but no access to medical records). You should call or text your safety officer when you are on the way to your appointment to check in. You should inform your client that you need to call your safety officer and check in before you start the massage. This can be done while you are waiting for them to undress. Letting the client know that someone else knows where you are adds a layer of protection. When you are finished with the massage and in your car, you can check back in, let them know you are safe, and share where you are heading next. If you are in the middle of a massage and the client wants to extend the session (and you have the time to accommodate the request), you should tell the client you need to pause the session to make a quick call or send a text stating you will be ending at the new time and will check back in after the session is complete.

Red Flags

Red flags are those little alarms that go off in your head, warning you that this appointment or client isn’t right for you or isn’t looking for massage therapy services—they are looking for sex work or something of that nature. I see so many posts on Facebook from therapists asking if they should go massage a specific client, and they will screenshot the message that was sent to them. The responses are all over the place. Some therapists will say they see no issue and others will say there is no way they would go massage this person.

You’re the only person who knows your comfort level. If you receive a message from a client and you feel like you need to ask someone else if it is OK to massage that person, it’s probably not OK.

If a Client Asks for Your Photo or Sends a Photo of Themselves

Your looks and their looks have nothing to do with your massage treatment. Do not send them a photo. You can simply ignore the message or respond that you work with referrals only. Don’t waste your time telling them you are a professional massage therapist and that asking for a photo is inappropriate—they probably aren’t looking for you specifically and are sending this message to many people at the same time. They do not care that you are offended by their messages. And nothing you say will change their behavior.

If a Client Asks About Your Relationship Status

Again, this is information they should not be concerned about. You should always keep your personal life private. This is about setting and keeping your professional boundaries. You can tell them you do not share that information with clients, in the same way you should not ask about their relationship status.

If a Client Asks if Draping is Required

State that your policy is draping is required. Clients might mention their regular therapist lets them be undraped or that they get hot when they are covered up with a sheet and a blanket. I tell them I use lightweight microfiber sheets and if that is too much, I can drape them with a bath towel. Draping is a professional boundary. We use it to set conscious and unconscious boundaries between ourselves and our clients. Always drape your clients, and take a draping course every few years just to keep your draping fresh.

If the Client Asks if You Offer Extras or Special Services Not on the Menu or Uses the Words Sensual, Sexual, Tantric, or Nuru

These are code words used in the sex industry to refer to illicit services. Using code words like these makes it more difficult to prosecute the offenders.

If They Specifically Ask for Groin, Inner Thigh, or Lower Abdomen Work

If someone is in legitimate need of work in these areas, they will usually specify why. They may say they were injured playing sports or slipped and fell; even then, it is best to proceed with caution.

If a New Client is Calling or Texting After Hours

From my experience, calls after 9:00 p.m. are usually up to no good. Do not answer the phone or reply to any messages until the morning. You should state that you do not work after 9:00 p.m. (or whatever time you choose) and that you provide professional therapeutic massage between these specific hours. My husband, in his brick-and-mortar clinic days, used online booking and he was surprised at how many appointments were booked later at night. Booking an appointment online is a different matter than calling for an appointment. If they are calling, they may be calling everyone in their area, one after the other. In online booking, they cannot be as anonymous, which makes it safer for the therapist. Not all late-night bookers are looking for sex work; they could be shift workers who are calling to arrange a treatment in the future. They should not expect you to answer the phone after your stated hours, however.

Trust Your Gut

Remember, what makes you uncomfortable may not make someone else uncomfortable. You do not need to accept every client. No one knows your experiences, and no one can make the decision to accept a client for you. Ask as many questions as you need to obtain all the information that satisfies you. Above all, trust your gut.