Professional Licensing Program

Graduates of this massage program are prepared to:

Professional Memberships:
American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP)

Applied Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology

Hours: 5 hrs x 22 classes = 110 hrs total

Prerequisites:  Introduction to the Body

Overview: In this A2P2 course students continue their study of the systems of the body, focusing on the specific anatomy of the bones and muscles working together for movement, plus the components and functional contributions of each body system to the whole. The application of this information to the practice of therapeutic massage is emphasized. Students complete their study of palpation and movement focusing on the muscles of hip, upper extremities, trunk and spine. Common pathologies are used to clarify functions of each system, and massage cautions and contraindications are identified to prepare students for the use of more detailed client health histories utilized in the 3rd & 4th quarters.

Therapeutic Massage 1

Hours: 5 hrs x 11 classes = 55 hrs total

Prerequisites: Foundations of Therapeutic Massage; Introduction to the Body

Overview: In TM 1 students continue to learn, practice, and develop their skills in Swedish Massage. Once regional demonstrations are completed, the focus shifts to planning and implementing full-body sessions that address a client’s primary area(s) of tension. Benefits and effects of specific strokes, as well as caution areas are reviewed to help students make appropriate therapeutic decisions. Additionally, neuromuscular and myofascial techniques are introduced to provide students with additional techniques to round out their toolbox for relaxation massage. The principles of proper body alignment and mechanics continue to be emphasized during classroom demonstration and practice sessions.

Outcome Based Massage

Hours: 5 hrs x 22 classes = 110 hrs total

Prerequisites: A2P2 ; Therapeutic Massage 1; Ethics and Communication

Overview: The hallmark of client-centered massage is a collaborative process between client and practitioner to meet the client’s identified therapeutic goals. In Outcome Based Massage, students learn a step-by-step clinical reasoning process that includes general and specific assessment, goal setting, session planning and treatment guidelines. Critical thinking skills are practiced, developed and refined as students work to integrate and apply their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and massage theory and techniques. The physical, emotional and spiritual impact of pain and stress, plus the physiology of healing, is reviewed. Common pathologies are discussed, including their etiology, signs and symptoms, medical interventions, plus indications and contra-indications for the application of manual therapy treatments. Students learn and practice important assessment and massage skills for common musculoskeletal injuries and disorders such as low back strain, neck pain, headaches, nerve compression-tension and chronic pain syndromes.

Therapeutic Massage 2

Hours: 5 hrs x 11 classes = 55 hrs total

Prerequisites: Therapeutic Massage 1; A2P2

Overview: In order to address the specific needs of each client, every massage therapist needs a variety of techniques from which they can choose. In TM 2 students add a variety of myofascial and neuromuscular techniques to their Swedish massage skills to create a more robust toolbox of techniques. While the majority of class time is spent on demonstration, practice, and feedback, the theory of each method / technique, including its specific benefits, effects, indications and contraindications is thoroughly discussed. Integration classes support students in developing critical thinking skills as they practice choosing and blending techniques to create a client centered therapeutic massage session that is both specific to regions of concern, and a full body experience. The principles of proper body alignment and mechanics continue to be emphasized.

Professional Practice

Hours: 5 hrs x 11 classes = 55 hrs total

Prerequisites: Ethics and Communication; Outcome Based Massage

Overview: A successful massage practice requires knowledge and skills in massage and business. In Professional Practice, students complete their study of essential business and practice management issues, including marketing, ethics, bookkeeping and taxes as they envision and develop their personal career and business plans. The mandatory HIV/AIDS Certification Class is included to ensure that students meet all the requirements for licensure in Washington State. In addition, an introduction to research tools and methods helps students recognize the growing body of knowledge available about massage, and appreciate how this information can enhance their effectiveness as practitioners.

Student Clinic

Hours: 5 hrs x 11 classes = 55 hrs total

Prerequisites: Therapeutic Massage 2; Outcome Based Massage

Overview: Student Clinic is a teaching clinic in which students provide massage sessions to members of the general public under the supervision of experienced LMTs. These authentic clinical opportunities help students build their professional communication skills and persona as they prepare to enter professional practice. Additionally, clinics provide students important opportunities to develop their confidence as they practice and demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a comprehensive way in a safe and supervised environment.

Therapeutic Massage 3

Hours: 5 hrs x 11 classes = 55 hrs total

Prerequisites: Therapeutic Massage 2; Outcome Based Massage

Overview: In TM 3, students add lymphatic techniques and sports massage to their toolbox of skills. While the majority of class time is spent on demonstration, practice, and feedback, theory of each technique including specific benefits, effects, indications and contraindications is thoroughly discussed. During the second half of TM 3, class focus shifts to addressing specific regions of the body. Areas are chosen based on the clinic supervisors’ assessment of student skills during clinic, and the students’ expressed desire for more instruction and practice around specific structures or injuries. This collaborative process for determining class content is designed to support students in developing self-assessment skills and professional mentorship relationships.

Therapeutic Alternatives

Hours: 7.5 hrs x 8 classes = 60 hrs total

Prerequisites: Concurrent eligibility & enrollment in each quarter of the Program

Overview: Manual therapy arts encompass a broad spectrum of forms and styles of massage/bodywork to serve a wide range of client populations. In Therapeutic Alternatives, students explore a variety of modalities and therapeutic practices to expand their experience of alternative health care. The course is conducted over 4 weekends, one per quarter. Quarter 1 includes foundational subject matter with an introduction to energy medicine and movement for self-care. Quarter 2 has students exploring chair massage, a helpful form for marketing and promotion, and massage for pregnancy. By Quarter 3, students dive deeper into structural medicine with Seeing Facial Chains, and expand their therapeutic tools with hydrotherapy in preparation for Student Clinic. Finally, in Quarter 4 students experience a zonal therapy with Introduction to Reflexology and round out their WA State licensing requirements with Adult First Aid, CPR, & AED training. While each day-long class is comprised predominantly of demonstration, practice, and feedback, the theory of each technique, its specific benefits, effects, indications and contraindications is thoroughly outlined and discussed.

Electives

Hours: 30 hrs. total

Prerequisites: Current enrollment in PLP. Some classes may have other specific prerequisites.

Overview: The successful practice of massage and bodywork requires an integral link between personal and professional development and growth. Through electives, students can seek this enrichment and experience from a diverse spectrum of classes choosing classes based on their needs and values for personal growth, interest in different styles of alternative healthcare, or professional curiosity and interests. Subject matter may address self-care and personal growth, special populations, business and marketing, research, or alternative forms of therapeutic massage and somatic practices. Elective classes are 2.5 hour, 5 hour, or 7.5 hours in length, and scheduled throughout the year on specific weekdays and weekend dates to offer students maximum flexibility in selecting and scheduling these classes. Students may select any combination of the elective class offerings over the length of the Program, to equal the required 30 hours total. Specific class offerings will change quarter to quarter.

Tuition

Tuition and Program Costs

Tuition: $14,400.00

Application fee: $100

Applications received 1 month prior to start date = $500 Early Bird Discount!

We also offer a payment in full discount of $500.

Novice Fee $50.00 (to be applied to tuition) Register now for upcoming date by going to Events Calendar. (Waived for Fall 2020)

Tuition covers all required instructional and administrative costs. We do not charge additional miscellaneous fees such as lab, insurance, administrative, or facilities fees.

Additional Costs (estimated):

Additional Electives – students are charged for additional elective hours (optional), additional per hour charges will apply.

Massage Table $400-700
Books: $380-450
Supplies: $150

Discoverypoint accepts cash, checks, and major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.