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| Acknowledgments | |
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| About the Author | |
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| Introduction | |
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| A Meaningful Career Choice | |
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| My Transition from Amateur to Professional | |
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| What You Will Learn | |
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| Using This Book-Now and Later | |
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| Massage Therapy: A Career Without Limits | |
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| The Development of Massage in the United States | |
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| Current Growth Rate in the Field | |
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| The Aging Baby Boom Generation Creates a Demand for Massage | |
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| The Mainstreaming of "Alternative" Therapies | |
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| Dozens of Directions for Postgraduate Study | |
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| A Wealth of Opportunities | |
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| Is There a Healer Hidden Inside You? | |
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| The Psychology of Touch | |
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| The Spirituality of Touch | |
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| Realistic Expectations | |
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| Overcoming Sexual Issues | |
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| Choosing a Massage School: Making the Best Decision | |
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| Massage-School Hunting | |
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| Developing Your Skills: Massage Schools and Training Programs | |
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| Setting Educational Goals | |
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| The Learning Trap Versus the Earning Trap | |
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| Faculty Versus Facility | |
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| Standards | |
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| The Importance of Finding a Mentor | |
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| Discovering Your Ideal Work Space | |
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| Status: Independent Contractor or Employee? | |
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| A Special Focus on the Spa Industry | |
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| Job Interviews and Test Massages | |
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| Working with Massage Therapists: A Manager's Guide | |
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| When Clients Originally Made in your Business are Co-Opted by Your Therapists | |
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| Massage Clients: Finding Them and Treating the Whole Person | |
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| Clients-Where to Find Them | |
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| Getting Referrals and Introductions | |
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| Advertising | |
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| Consultations and Evaluations: What You Can Realistically Hope to Accomplish and What Cases You Should Refer Out | |
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| Special Cases | |
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| Establishing Boundaries | |
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| Clients Who Become Friends | |
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| Touch and the Law | |
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| The Parameters of the Profession: What You Legally Can and Cannot Do As a Massage Therapist | |
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| Licensing | |
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| Zoning | |
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| Establishment License | |
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| Liability Insurance | |
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| Safety Concerns | |
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| Third-Party Billing | |
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| Taxes | |
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| Creating the Perfect Space: How to Set Up and Maintain the Optimal Environment for Your Massage Therapy Practice | |
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| Creaing Your Space: Points to Keep in Mind | |
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| Setting Up a Professional Space | |
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| Elements Common to All Massage Environments | |
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| Computerizing Your Massage Business | |
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| Day-to-Day Realities: Dealing with the Details of a Thriving Massage Practice | |
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| A Nightmare Day in the Life of a Massage Therapist | |
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| Scheduling and Managing Your Time Effectively | |
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| Record Keeping: Client Records and Financial Records | |
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| Fees: Setting Them, Bartering, Keeping the Books | |
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| Keeping Yourself in Shape Mentally and Physically: Combating the Burnout Syndrome | |
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| Rewards: Vacation Time and Therapy for the Therapist | |
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| Rewards: From Financial Planning to Financial Freedom | |
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| A "Dream" Day in the Life of a Massage Therapist | |
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| Creating a Professional Image | |
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| Image Enhancers | |
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| Advertising Options | |
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| Marketing | |
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| Business Plans | |
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| The Path Ahead: How to Advance Your Career in Massage | |
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| Resources | |
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| Beyond the Basics: Advanced Trainings | |
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| Specialized Massage Pursuits | |
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| Moving into Other Professions | |
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| Expanding Your Reach | |
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| Conclusion | |
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| Resources | |
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| General Resources | |
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| Books | |
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| Business Tools | |
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| Magazines | |
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| Associations | |
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| Schools | |
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| Massage Equipment Manufacturers | |
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| Advanced Trainings Chart | |
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| Index | |