CMTO has made major changes to the Standard of Practice: Client-Centred Care and Code of Ethics to address the issue of discharging clients who engage in abusive behaviour.

As of October 1, 2025, these changes now empower RMTs/MTs to discharge a client who engages in verbal, physical or sexually abusive behaviour without having to provide advance notice. If the client still requires Massage Therapy care, RMTs/MTs can simply refer them to the Public Register. The definition of Abusive Client Behaviour is any act or threat that compromises an RMT’s/MT’s safety, dignity, or professional boundaries, including:

• Physical: Unwanted acts causing pain, injury, or fear of physical harm (e.g., hitting, pushing, threatening force)
• Sexual: Unwanted sexual acts/behaviours, including sexualization of the therapeutic relationship (e.g., sexual remarks, non-consensual touch, sexualizing treatment)
• Verbal/Psychological: Language or behaviour that demeans, intimidates, or harms the RMT’s/MT’s mental well-being (e.g., threats, insults, humiliation, racist, sexist, and discriminatory remarks)

CMTO takes all forms of abusive behaviour seriously, and it has no place in Massage Therapy.

For more information, contact:

Rebecca Grima
Communications & Media Relations Specialist
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
rebecca.grima@cmto.com