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Develop a better understanding of cultural competence and diversity in massage therapy. This 1-hour continuing education course introduces massage therapists to culture, cultural competence, diversity, cultural bias, and common cultural differences that may influence communication and client interactions.
Whether you work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds or simply want to strengthen your professional communication skills, this course provides practical information to help you recognize cultural differences, develop greater self-awareness, and create a more respectful and inclusive massage therapy practice.
In this course, you will learn:
What culture and cultural competence mean
The importance of diversity in massage therapy
How cultural competence relates to client care and communication
What cultural bias is and how it can influence interactions
Common cultural differences that massage therapists may encounter
Strategies for developing greater cultural competence
How cultural awareness can support professional relationships and business development
Resources for continued learning about cultural competency
Why Take This Course?
Working with clients from different cultural backgrounds requires awareness, respect, and effective communication. Developing cultural competence can help massage therapists better understand individual differences and create a more welcoming and professional client experience.
This focused 1-hour course provides an introduction to cultural competence and diversity, making it a convenient option for massage therapists who want to strengthen their professional skills or meet a cultural competency continuing education requirement.
Define culture, cultural competence, and diversity.
Explain the importance of cultural competence in massage therapy.
Identify examples of cultural differences that may influence client interactions.
Describe cultural bias and how it may affect professional communication.
Recognize the importance of self-awareness when working with diverse clients.
Identify strategies for developing greater cultural competence.
Text: Cultural Competence in Massage by Corrine Mollet Rubida, BS, LMT, 18 pages
Course instruction guide
15-question multiple-choice final exam
Course evaluation
Certificate of Achievement upon completion
Unlimited phone support for course-related questions
The Center for Massage Therapy Continuing Education, LLC is an Approved Provider through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB); Approved Provider number 409296-00.
Our massage online continuing education courses are also accepted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), and most state boards.
For more information on individual state requirements and approvals, please visit our Approvals page and click on your state.
I definitely enjoyed the common cultural differences and learned a few new things even of my own culture. - Sarrut O.
Been using you since 2009, your books are awesome for the hearing impaired. - S. Kafka, LMT
This information is invaluable. - K. Schaedler. LMT
It gave me a better understanding of cultural differences and the need to be diverse. - Johnny May, LMT
It met my state requirement and was fun and easy to complete! - Jana Morehouse
What is cultural competence?
A. A system or set of moral rules, principles or ideas that govern an individual’s behavior
B. An ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures and social backgrounds, in a manner that supports the value and preserves the dignity of individuals, families, and their communities
C. The characteristics of a particular group of people or society; defined by everything from beliefs, language, religion, customs, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts
D. The state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a society, group, or organization
All of the following are true about cultural bias EXCEPT:
A. We all carry cultural bias
B. There is no way to avoid cultural bias
C. Cultural biases are always factual
D. Cultural biases can be positive or negative
All of the following are fundamental cross-cultural skills EXCEPT:
A. Acceptance for ambiguities in language, style, and behavior
B. Self-awareness to have the ability to recognize your own responses and know what you bring to your practice
C. Impatience for others who are different or unsure how to communicate
D. Professional communication skills to accommodate all cultures
Course Author
About the Instructor
Corrine Rubida, BS, LMT
Corrine completed her massage therapy training at Gateway College of Massage Therapy in 1997 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration in 2012. She has been practicing and teaching massage therapy since 1997 and currently holds a massage therapy license in South Dakota. She is also a member of the ABMP. In 2002, Corrine founded the Center for Massage Therapy CE to make professional massage continuing education courses available both online and by mail. Since then, she has developed more than 100 home-study massage continuing education courses and has taught live courses for AMTA and the Gateway College of Massage Therapy.
