Public protection
RITMA believes that rigorous criteria and solid training are the basic foundation of any therapists.
We encourage you to send us any comments or concerns you may have regarding one of our members as well as the schools which we accredit. All comments will be evaluated in order to improve the quality of services rendered. To submit your comments, please use the ''Contact us'' tab.
Rigourous Control
RITMA requires that their members submit, in addition to their verified diplomas, a resume detailing their professional journey. As a Professional Association working in the field of alternative and complementary medicine, RITMA strongly recommends that all its members have "Errors and Omissions" Professional Liability Insurance. To ensure that our high standards are maintained, RITMA reserves the right to visit our members’ clinics without notice in order to insure that their methods, installations and instruments are adequate.
In an effort to eliminate fraudulent abuse, RITMA requires that its members use receipts which are individually numbered, thus eliminating the possibility of inappropriate use. RITMA dedicates personnel to regularly review any/all publicity and/or websites in order to ensure that their therapeutic and professional services reflect our standards.
It is our belief that practicing therapist, the general public as well as the insurance conglomerates would be better served by universal standards in Quebec. It is precisely for this reason that many provincial associations are tightening their requirements and elevating their standards.
To this end, RITMA diligently hopes for a consensus on this matter, for the benefit and validation of all alternative medicine therapists, as well as improvement of quality services for the general public.
Important notice: At no time can the complementary therapies mentioned on this site replace a follow-up by a health professional.
Information about complementary and alternative therapies
People with cancer sometimes think about using complementary or alternative therapies. In fact, it is believed that many people have used at least one complementary or alternative therapy as part of their cancer treatment. There are many reasons for this…
Read more: Information about complementary and alternative therapies
Source : Canadian Cancer Society
Sexual Involvement
Did you know that sexual involvement between a health care professional and a client is an abuse of power and trust?
Read more : Sexual involvement between a health care professional and a client?
Source : Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes (AQPV)
Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes
The Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes (AQPV) was created in 1984 to promote and defend the rights and interests of victims of crime and their families.
Link to the AQPV website
Massotherapy Professionalization Project (French only)
See page in French
Rights of the client
The obligations of RITMA therapists are defined and governed by the Code of Ethics. To help clients better understand what they can expect from their therapist, here are some essential guidelines:
Client Record:
Clients may request access to their file at any time, and the therapist must provide a copy upon request.
Interruption of the Therapist-Client Relationship:
Any individual consulting a therapist may end their care at any time, without justification and for any reason. The therapist acknowledges and respects the client’s right to:
- Choose another professional (without attempting to discourage them)
- Refuse any intervention or action that makes them uncomfortable
- Make their own decisions, even if the therapist considers the intervention necessary
The therapist fully respects the client’s decision-making authority and must never undermine it.
Insurance Receipts:
Upon request and following a consultation, the therapist is required to provide the client with a receipt.
Confidentiality:
The therapist is bound by professional confidentiality and must protect client information at all times. This includes securing records, not disclosing information without authorization or legal obligation, respecting the client’s right of access, retaining records for at least five years, and then securely destroying them. The therapist must also protect the confidentiality of minors and family members and inform clients about how their information is used.
For more information about client rights and therapist obligations, please consult the RITMA Code of Ethics.
In the event that your rights as a client are not respected, or to report a therapist, two types of forms are available below:
- Dissatisfaction report: This document is not a formal complaint. It is part of the process that may lead to an official complaint. It allows you to inform us of your concerns and potentially resolve issues before proceeding further.
- Complaint Form: This constitutes a formal complaint.