Here is the AFMTE Board Response to Ravensara Travillians charge to the Alliance. We believe it is important to include the emotional, human potential (psychosocial) aspects of massage education in the Congress as well as the more concrete aspects of education and the sciences. From our initial presentation at ABMP’s 2010 School Issues Forum, (link to presentation), we have supported the potential for transformation of consciousness through the vehicle of massage therapy. We feel James Oschman’s talk will be a jumping off point for working together towards a coherent whole. This will be followed by David Lauterstein speaking directly about massage therapy and our potential future, which needs to include all of the psychosocial aspects of massage. We believe massage therapy can be a blend of art and science and we created a program to reflect that belief. We have many of the same thoughts as you do about using evidence to inform our massage practice--that there are too many unsubstantiated claims regarding massage therapy, and that massage schools MUST have highly qualified educators in the classroom. Since we have over 1200 schools, 10,000 teachers, and a cadre of CE Providers already established, we need to define a common ground. The aim of the Alliance has always been to focus on our area of expertise, namely massage education. And to develop a coherent path of defining what educational training and competencies a qualified massage instructor should demonstrate. We have shared the competencies at a variety of conferences and have always gotten excellent feedback on our work. We teamed with COMTA to host an Educational Congress, to bring the massage and bodywork groups together with the aim of fostering dialogue, exploring where we can improve all aspects of the massage field. To that end the FSMTB, NCBTMB, AOBTA and the MTF are holding their own Board meetings before or after the educational portion of the Congress so that they too can observe, participate, and receive feedback about their programs and services. The program is designed as an opportunity to have presentations that focus on all aspects of massage therapy education, from entry-level to continuing professional development. Ideas about initial education, teacher qualifications, accreditation, and school survival are all included in this Congress. I’m proud that Sandy Fritz, Susan Salvo, Martha Brown Menard, Janet Kahn, David Lauterstein, Anne Williams, and Linda Derick are all presenting at the 2015 Educational Congress. To actively work against the aims of the Congress and the various groups represented seems counterproductive for the field. I hope you attend even if you don’t approve of one of the speakers. Our number one goal as a group is to work for collaboration and clarity for the field. It won’t happen overnight and it won’t be easy, but it is necessary. AFMTE Board
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 20:35:25 +0000
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