NCBTMB Connection Newsletter

Garnet Adair, NCTMB

New Election Process Adopted for 2005 and Beyond

Garnet Adair, NCTMB With 2005 in full swing, NCBTMB directors and staff are working diligently to fill the three vacancies that currently exist on the NCBTMB board of directors. NCBTMB is committed to maintaining high standards of quality and ethics in the field of therapeutic massage and bodywork. Based on this commitment, a new election process has been instituted for 2005 and beyond.

Applicants who applied for the board’s open seats prior to the election revisions will be reviewed under the new nominations process. Board members elected in the upcoming election will assume their positions in June 2005 to accommodate the extension of, and changes in, the nominations process.

Open seats include two directors of therapeutic massage and bodywork who will be elected by Nationally Certified therapists, and one public member/director, who will be selected by the NCBTMB Board of Directors. All will work to facilitate movement towards the goals outlined in the NCBTMB strategic plan.

What can you do to help NCBTMB’s effort to fill the board’s open seats?
The answer to this is simple – exercise your right and responsibility as a Nationally Certified practitioner and VOTE!

Some of you may be wondering what placing your vote will mean for you and your career. Taking part in NCBTMB’s election process is important on many levels. By placing your vote:

you are making your voice heard as a Nationally Certified practitioner;
you can ensure that you contributed to electing directors who will stay in touch with your professional needs as a certified practitioner;
you are helping to advance the field of therapeutic massage and bodywork by selecting directors who will continually work to maintain quality standards.

When you receive your ballot, make sure to carefully read the directions and complete the ballot accurately. Many ballots must be disqualified by NCBTMB because they are received with limited or inaccurate information. All ballots must be received no later than June 16, 2005.

As the profession of therapeutic massage and bodywork grows, so does the importance of making your voice heard as a Nationally Certified practitioner. We are counting on you – the practitioner – to choose directors who are both dedicated to certification for our profession and committed to moving forward with the goals and objectives set forth in the strategic plan. [top]

Progressing Toward the Strategic Plan – Updates from NCBTMB’s committee chairs

Examination Committee
Chair: Sandra Anderson, NCTMB
Staff Liaison: Heather Trusty
The Examination Committee has been working diligently on the new massage-only entry-level exam, and on test questions for the existing National Certification Exam (NCE). A face-to-face committee meeting in Princeton, NJ took place in March to continue reviewing test items.

The Examination Committee has also created a flowchart of how the National Certification Exams have been developed, to clear up misconceptions regarding NCE development. Stay tuned for the next issue of Connection, which will include this chart, and detailed information on how NCE test items are written and approved.

A Literature Search Task Force was recently formed by the Exam Committee to monitor societal trends that affect the massage profession. Nationally Certified practitioner Monica Reno was appointed Chair of the Task Force and is responsible for appointing members of this Task Force.

NCBTMB’s Examination Committee is always looking for volunteers to assist in question development for the NCETM, NCETMB and NCETM-A. Volunteers must have an ability to write suitable test questions; a command of the written English language; an ability to work within the guidelines set; and an ability to be confidential about the process in order to maintain exam security.

Question writers do not have to be Nationally Certified, but must have experience in the bodywork field, either as practitioners or educators or both, and comply with an agreement of confidentiality.

Question-writing volunteers must be detail-oriented and have the desire and availability to participate in question development meetings lasting two to three eight hour days.

Interested candidates may contact Sandra Anderson, exam committee chair, at anderkauf@msn.com, or Heather Trusty, director of certification, at htrusty@ncbtmb.com.

Ethics and Standards Committee
Chair: Kathy Flippin, NCTMB
Staff Liaisons: Melinda Bridges and Sayeh Nikfar
The Ethics and Standards Committee and the Investigative Panel continue the ongoing effort of overseeing the standards that require ethical professional behavior from every Nationally Certified practitioner. This includes receiving and reviewing complaints from consumers, fellow practitioners, business owners and others who believe they have observed or received service from a Nationally Certified therapist that is in violation of NCBTMB’s Code of Ethics or Standards of Practice.

The Ethics and Standards Committee is currently in search of Nationally Certified practitioners interested in serving on the Investigative Panel. The Panel is a group of individuals who review complaints against certificants, take testimony and evidence and then report findings to the Committee. Members of the Investigative Panel should have an interest in professional ethics and must be available to be trained by an attorney and an ethics specialist in the ethical principles of NCBTMB.

Certificants interested in finding out more, or becoming a member of the Investigative Panel should contact NCBTMB Associate Executive Director Melinda Bridges at mbridges@ncbtmb.com.

Continuing Education/ Recertification Committee
Chair: Neal Delaporta, LMT, NCTMB
Staff Liaison: Kim Murray
The CE/Recertification Committee continues the review process which approves providers that meet established criteria for providing continuing education. The Committee has been working particularly hard in the past months because the volume of both initial and renewal applications has dramatically increased.

Due to attrition, the Committee recently lost four members, however, those remaining continue to work diligently to approve Continuing Education providers.

We have recently submitted a revised, more user-friendly application for Approved Provider status to the NCBTMB Board of Directors. At the Committee’s next face-to-face meeting scheduled for April 2005, a protocol will be developed for Approved Providers who wish to add new course offerings during their approval period. [top]

The following continuing education providers are the most recent to become new or renewed NCBTMB Approved Providers.

A complete list of NCBTMB Approved Providers can be found at www.ncbtmb.com Click on the “Continuing Education” link and select “List of Approved Providers” from the options.

Remember to ask any continuing education provider to include their NCBTMB provider number on certificates of completion.

CALIFORNIA
Pat Caufield
72682 Thrush Drive, #2
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-341-9577
massagepat@msn.com

COLORADO
Rachel Lord
3501 South Corona Street, Ste. 1
Englewood, CO 80113
303-341-4384
rachel@justforhealth.net

Mary Kathleen Rose
CMT Program Administrator
Morgan Community College
17800 Country Road 20
Fort Morgan, CO 80701
rosevine@gte.net

MINNESOTA
Joanne Coyle
National Qigong Association
P.O. Box 252
Lakeland, MN 55043
888-815-1893
info@nqa.org
www.nqa.org

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Karen Kallie
142 Main Street
#205
Nashua, NH 03060
630-595-9000
ninthwaveenergy@aol.com [top]

One woman’s healing journey leads her to a career in massage

Susan W. Fenimore, MS, LMBT, CHTP, NCTMB

Fast Facts:

Date Certified: 2002

Area of Practice: Fenimore blends the Swedish and deep tissue modalities with stretching and Healing Touch (energy work) to best treat the individualized needs of each client. She also provides on-site massage services.

Practice Location: Private practice located in Cary, NC and on-site chair massage for employees of John Deere Turf Care, Inc., located in Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Therapeutic Philosophy: “I believe in assisting my clients in their own healing journeys by using my knowledge and skills to the best of my ability, then letting go and trusting in a greater power to do the rest.”

It was Susan Fenimore’s inherent instinct to care and nurture others that drew her to a career in recreation therapy. In a psychiatric hospital setting, she used recreational activities to co-lead groups on anger and stress management. She also used stress and relaxation techniques to help mend the emotional troubles of her clients, who ranged from children to senior adults.

One day Fenimore was violently attacked for several minutes by one of the teenage patients. Although she was not seriously hurt, the shock and emotional pain of the event took its toll on her mind and body.

Fenimore’s journey into massage began when she was referred to a massage therapist by her supervisor. Massage ended up being the only treatment Fenimore received for dealing with the emotional toll of the assault, and she was lucky to have a very compassionate therapist.

“I felt safe in her hands, and it was only through my regular sessions that I began to release some of the muscular tension I felt due to many of the memories I had stored in my mind from the attack, as well from other emotional events.”

Fenimore was incredibly moved by the positive effect that massage therapy had on her life. She had already been teaching yoga for seven years when her entrepreneurial desire, her respect for the massage profession and her experience as a yoga instructor lead her to make a career change. She started by attending the Body Therapy Institute in Silk Hope, NC, where she studied a core curriculum of anatomy and physiology, pathology, ethics and law, personal integration and business. By year’s end, she completed the school’s 650-hour program with a practicum on cancer patients.

Now a licensed massage therapist, Fenimore has been Nationally Certified since 2002, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining certification. “Even though it is not required that massage therapists maintain National Certification after becoming licensed in North Carolina, I think it is very important for the public to know the extra steps a practitioner takes to become credentialed. I use the excellent resources provided by NCBTMB in all aspects of my practice.”

Fenimore leads her own private practice in Cary, NC. Renew Self has a wide range of clientele ranging from her yoga students to senior adults. She also devotes three hours a day twice a month to corporate clientele at John Deere Turf Care where she provides on-site chair massage to relieve on-the-job stress.

“My rewards come when my clients tell me about the pain relief, stress reduction and increased energy they experience from receiving massages. Many have told me that massage simply makes them feel better during their daily activities. I feel honored that they can trust me to help them facilitate their own healing journey.”

Fenimore is not only fulfilled professionally, but also personally. She shares her life with Dale, her husband of 15 years, and three cats – Molly, Sunny and Jessie. She also still finds time to volunteer with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), practice and teach yoga, weight train and assemble scrapbooks. [top]

Would you like to be profiled in NCBTMB’s Certificant Spotlight? We want to hear from Nationally Certified practitioners who have a story to share! Contact us at newsletter@ncbtmb.com for more information.

Sanction Notices

Ryan Dean, Davie, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.

Standard I (c). Conduct themselves in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals.

Standard I (f). Provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety.

Standard II (a). Obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Standard II (b). Refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory or unethical actions.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to his professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

Standard V (h). Refrain from practicing under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substances (with the exception of prescribed dosage of prescription medication which does not significantly impair the certificant).

The Committee also believes that the certificant has violated the following cannon of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics:

Those practitioners who have been awarded National Certification by the NCBTMB will:

Avoid any interest, activity, or influence which might be in conflict with the practitioner’s obligation to act in the best interest of the client or the profession.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Mr. Dean’s certification.

Jason Downs, Altamonte Springs, FL
Standard II (f). Report to NCBTMB any criminal convictions regarding him/herself and other certifications.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to his professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Mr. Down’s certification.

Jodi Giddens, Perry, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.

Standard I (b). Conduct themselves in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals.

Standard I (f). Provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety.

Standard II (a). Obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Standard II (b). Refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory or unethical actions.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to her professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

The Committee also believes that the Certificant has violated the following cannon of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics:

Those practitioners who have been awarded national certification by the NCBTMB will:

Avoid any interest, activity, or influence which might be in conflict with the practitioner’s obligation to act in the best interest of the client or the profession.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Ms. Giddens’ certification.

Maria Graffuis, Apopka, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.

Standard I(c). Conduct themselves in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals.

Standard I (f). Provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety.

Standard II (a). Obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Standard II (b). Refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory or unethical actions.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to her professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

Standard V (e). Not engage in sexual activity with the client.

Standard VI (a). Refrain from participating in a sexual relationship or sexual conduct with the client, whether consensual or otherwise, from the beginning of the client/therapist relationship and for a minimum of six months after the termination of the client/therapist relationship.

Standard VI (c) Recognize that sexual activity with clients, students, employees, supervisors or trainees is prohibited even if consensual.

Standard VI (h). Only provide therapeutic breast massage as indicated in the plan of care and only after receiving informed voluntary consent from the client.

The Committee also believes that the Certificant has violated the following cannons of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics:

Those practitioners who have been awarded National Certification by the NCBTMB will:

Refrain, under all circumstances, from initiating or engaging in any sexual misconduct, sexual activities, or sexualizing behavior involving a client, even if the client attempts to sexualize the relationship.

Avoid any interest, activity, or influence which might be in conflict with the practitioner’s obligation to act in the best interest of the client or the profession.

Respect the client’s boundaries with regard to privacy, disclosure, exposure, emotional expression, beliefs and the client’s reasonable expectations of professional behavior. Practitioners will respect the client’s autonomy.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Ms. Graffuis’ certification.

Manuel Iglesias, Miami, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.

Standard II (a). Obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to her professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

The Committee also believes that the Certificant has violated the following cannon of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics:

Those practitioners who have been awarded national certification by the NCBTMB will:

Thomas Oakley Miller, Fort Myers, FL
Standard II (f). Report to NCBTMB any criminal convictions regarding him/herself and other certifications.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to his professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Mr. Miller’s certification.

Elizabeth Seplow, N. Miami Beach, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.

Standard I (b). Conduct themselves in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals.

Standard I (f). Provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety.

Standard II (a). Obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Standard II (b). Refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory or unethical actions.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to her professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

Standard V(h) Refrain from practicing under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any illegal substances (with the exception of prescribed dosage of prescription medication which does not significantly impair the certificant).

The Committee also believes that the Certificant has violated the following cannon of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics:

Those practitioners who have been awarded national certification by the NCBTMB will:

Karen Schmidt, Palm Bay, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.

Standard I (f). Provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety.

Standard II (a). Obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to her professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

The Committee also believes that the Certificant has violated the following cannon of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics:

Those practitioners who have been awarded national certification by the NCBTMB will:

Avoid any interest, activity, or influence which might be in conflict with the practitioner’s obligation to act in the best interest of the client or the profession.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Ms. Schmidt’s certification.

Joseph Siracusa, Lutz, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.

Standard I (c). Conduct themselves in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals.

Standard I (f). Provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety.

Standard II (a). Obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Standard II (b). Refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory or unethical actions.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to her professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

Standard V (e). Not engage in sexual activity with the client.

Standard VI (c). Recognize that sexual activity with clients, students, employees, supervisors or trainees is prohibited even if consensual.

Standard VI (h) only provide therapeutic breast massage as indicated in the plan of care and only after receiving informed voluntary consent from the client.

The Committee also believes that the Certificant has violated the following cannons of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics:

Those practitioners who have been awarded national certification by the NCBTMB will:

Avoid any interest, activity, or influence which might be in conflict with the practitioner’s obligation to act in the best interest of the client or the profession.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Mr. Siracusa’s certification.

James Smith, Clearwater, FL
Standard II (f) Report to NCBTMB any criminal convictions regarding him/herself and other certifications.

Standard II (g) Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to his professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Mr. Smith’s certification.

Natasha Stone, Cape Canaveral, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.

Standard I (b). Conduct themselves in a manner in all settings meriting the respect of the public and other professionals.

Standard I (f). Provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for the client and which, at a minimum, meets all legal requirements for health and safety.

Standard II (a). Obey all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Standard II (b). Refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory or unethical actions.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to her professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

The Committee also believes that the Certificant has violated the following cannon of the NCBTMB Code of Ethics:

Those practitioners who have been awarded national certification by the NCBTMB will:

Avoid any interest, activity, or influence which might be in conflict with the practitioner’s obligation to act in the best interest of the client or the profession.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Ms. Stone’s certification.

Leandro Vielma, Miami Beach, FL
Standard II (f). Report to NCBTMB any criminal convictions regarding him/herself and other certifications.

Standard II (g). Report to NCBTMB any pending litigation and resulting resolution related to his professional practice and the professional practice of other certificants.

Based upon these findings, NCBTMB has revoked Ms. Vielma’s certification.

Aaron Averhart, Fort Myers, FL
Standard I (a). Adhere to the NCBTMB Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.