American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Practice Test

What is NOT a purpose of creating a client-practitioner agreement?

1. To protect yourself from unrealistic expectations

2. To clarify the nature of your services

3. To act as reinforcement for client consent

4. To better understand the client's desires

The correct answer is: To better understand the client's desires

Creating a client-practitioner agreement serves several important purposes, primarily focused on establishing clear communication and expectations between the client and the practitioner. It is essential in defining the professional relationship and ensuring that both parties are on the same page. When considering the purpose of such an agreement, understanding the client's desires is generally part of the consultation process rather than the agreement itself. The agreement primarily focuses on the structure of the services provided, the scope of practice, consent, and boundaries. By clarifying the nature of services, protecting the practitioner from unrealistic expectations, and reinforcing client consent, the agreement establishes a solid foundation for the therapeutic relationship. However, delving into a client’s desires typically takes place in the initial assessment conversations and is not explicitly outlined in the agreement itself. As such, while important, understanding the client’s desires is not a direct purpose of creating the agreement.