Hi Richard - (I hope you get a chance to read this...)
I am going to try to give you a brief history on me so far...
Started QT in January 2005 - worked on several family members - a relative opened a beauty shop, and has a spare room that she "insisted" I do QT in. I have invested much time in getting this place ready for QT (My goal is to be a practitioner - maybe even more than that someday.) For now, I have been doing healing sessions in the cozy little corner room that I prepared for relaxing sessions of QT.
This relative, said I needed to charge tax on this... (I looked this up - and found that I do not have to do that - good to keep in mind - however I am not charging anyone for this service, due to the fact that I am not certified...YET)....she then told me that I would need a licence (which I told her I was working on getting certified as we spoke!)...she then said that I needed to have a "release" for people to sign saying that I am not performing anything medical on them - basically...I made a VERY PROFESSIONAL "release form" for my clients to sign before the session. Now she is telling me that I need insurance - for potential "malpractice" claims. I tried to tell her that I was sure that I wasn't going to be having a need for that. (Which my "release" basically covers anyway.) She told me "There are a lot of crazy people in the world and they will do anything for a buck. Better to be safe then sorry"
I trust...my intuition....and it tells me that I do not need insurance for malpractice, or even liability (or any for that matter - I don't plan on hurting anyone - and I haven't yet.)
This relative, is forcing me to listen to my inner voice, and my voice, which I trust - is telling me I don't need it.

Richard - I am going to ask you - because you wrote the book, that I have been working from since January, and you have been doing this a lot longer than most of us...Do I need insurance?

And just for the record - this relative - really means well, I feel that she just thinks that I don't have enough knowledge of what I am getting into. I have done QT on her feet that have hurt her for quite a few years, she said they "feel GREAT!" And that was 2 weeks ago, they still don't hurt her.

I have positive feelings about this little corner room - and I know it is going to take me farther that I can imagine - but she keeps getting in my road and throwing these curves at me. So I wanted to hear from you - AND/OR anyone else that reads this - WHO OUT THERE DOING QT - HAS ANY INSURANCE?????

Thank you all for your time!
God Bless you all - and God Bless QT!!!!!
-NinG

I can be the wet blanket here.

There are indeed people out there who would look for a quick way to make a buck, and might find some excuse to sue you.

Anyone who is offering a service (even QT) and (eventually) charging for it, should seriously consider insuring themselves.

I do not see the need for it myself, as QT can do no harm, but I do know that there are people out there who do not think as we do - and a little protection from them is necessary.

(I just realized I posted this in Healing Stories....Sorry 'bout that!)

Thanks RobertE for the reply....

NinG

Thanks - I am going to be looking into this for sure!!

God Bless!
NinG

Hi, NinG -

Just as a heads-up, I once saw an article about a massage therapist who said to her client, "Gee, your quadratus lumborum [a deep low-back muscle] sure is tight." She was successfully sued by the client for causing the client mental distress, because she didn't know what the quadratus lumborum muscle was and had been very worried about hearing that it was "tight." Your relative is right - there are a lot of crazy people out there!

I don't know what the requirements to be a member are, but AOBTA (search it on the internet), Association of Oriental Bodyworkers, has relatively inexpensive liability insurance included in their membership fee (I believe it's less than $200/year). A lot of energy work people who do not do massage are members.

A license is not something that can be provided by QT - that's a matter of state (and sometimes municipal) regulation - you'll have to check both. Not all states or towns require a license, and your relative may be wrong about that since she was wrong about the tax. If there is a requirement for a license, and it's a municipal matter, it's often very simple and cheap. If it's state, it may be more difficult. Richard won't be able to tell you about this unless he's lived and worked as a therapist in Iowa.

It's very unlikely you will ever have a problem - if you do, though, you would really kick yourself for not taking a simple precaution like a good release form! So it's good you've done that. Your relative is not being unreasonable - she's just in business! Many people work without any concern for licenses, insurance, etc. - but if you're working on someone else's premises, your liability becomes her liability if you aren't covered. If there was a problem, she would be as vulnerable as you are to any consequences.

It can be a little bit of a pain...

Insurance is a matter of choice. Inexpensive massage insurance is available if you want it.

Please get yourself insurance. QT can do no harm, but people can shock you to the core with their beliefs sometimes. good luck viv.

Great news!!!

At least I thought it was great...massage magazine sells practitioners insurance which covers teaching and practicing....It cost $129.00 a year for professional AND general liability......

I have the insurance for my horse bodywork business......

Last I looked QT was NOT on the list of approved bodywork techniques buit since Richard just had a huge article in Massage Magazine.....I think they would be willing to add it to their list...

Richard (me thinking you probably peruse all posts???....) or someone can we find out about adding QT to their list?

Many Thnaks-
Tracy aka pnygal

Hi Tracey, in the Uk we have insurance for Reiki Healing they added QT to my policy under the title of "energy healing". So I didn't occur any additional charges. best wishes Viv B.

You might also ask around to find out what other "non-traditional" healers have found, such as Reiki practitioners, in your state. QT is much more akin to that than to massage, so the same kind of release form that works for them should work for you. Then just offer your services and don't make any promises. Jocelyn's advice is very good.

It may be a bit of a pain, but do research your own state's laws. It will put your relative's mind at ease and allow you just to do what you do (tho your own intuition is probably right on).

Marian

Just wanted to let everyone know I RESEARCHED this matter... I have spoken to a State Representative and A State Senator, and I am good to go.
I also found new laws passed regarding "healing touch", and what is needed.
Insurance is a matter of choice - like Richard said....(good to find out the hard way tho!) and I need a very CLEAR release form! (Which I have!!)

Thanks for everyone's input!
God Bless!!
NinG

Sounds very good. What did you learn about the laws, and would you post your relaese form?

What Richard said.......please
zeneagle

I am not really sure how I can post my release form - is is very basic - compared to the one that HealerAli has...mine is not as detailed as hers - however I am going to redo mine a little and incorperate some of what she has that I am missing. If someone can tell me how to post mine (before I make the changes) I would be happy to do that!



As far as what I learned about the laws...

I printed what I got off the net - I will try to find that info again - and post it in here ASAP!!

There was also a recent study I will try and find, to post as well. Please check back tomorrow - I'll have more time to find those in the morning.... (I DO know how to post those - just not my word docs....)



God Bless All!