FAQs & Intake Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

Click any question to reveal the answer. Please get in touch if your question wasn’t answered below.

• What is your cancellation policy?

  24 hour notice is needed to cancel or reschedule an appointment. If less than 24 hours notice is given a fee of $50.00 is charged.

  If you are late I may have to reduce the length of your appointment. This is done to ensure that the next client is not left waiting.

  If you don’t show up for your scheduled appointment you will be charged a “no-show” fee of $50.00, without exception.

• Can you help me decide which service is best for my needs?

  Absolutely! The more info you can provide me the better I can help you determine a treatment plan.

  Think about the experience you’d like to have.

  Maybe relaxation and/or stress relief is what you need. Or perhaps you have a very specific issue such as a back ache, or a recent occurrence such as a stiff neck or injury.

  Don't hesitate to contact me before booking a treatment so we can determine the best plan for your needs.

• What should I wear to my appointment?

  Wear clothing that you are comfortable in.

  If you prefer to be clothed during your massage you can do so without restriction. If you prefer to remove clothing, you will be covered throughout the entire treatment. Only the area being massaged will be undraped.

  If your service is a hand or foot treatment you will be clothed. I still suggest you wear stretchy pants or top so that you can roll up your sleeve or pant. This gives access to as much skin surface as possible without cutting off circulation or getting oil on your clothes.

• Will my treatment hurt? Will I be sore afterwards?

  It depends – everyone has a different response to pressure.

  The important thing to remember is that you are in charge. I can adjust the depth and pressure of the massage at any time. I encourage you to communicate your needs during your treatment.

  The amount of pressure that is comfortable for you may depend on what we are working on. For example, you may be able to tolerate deep pressure on your feet, but a lighter pressure on your shoulder.

  So you only have to speak up. I want you to feel comfortable to share your needs with me throughout your session.

  After some treatments you may experience a little pain. This is normal. I will provide you with instructions on what to do to for after care.

• What length of appointment should I book?

  I suggest booking a 30 or 45 minute session if this is your first time with me (or your first time getting a massage).

  This gives you the opportunity to get to know if what I am offering is suited to you.

• How does Shiatsu massage differ from other forms of massage?

  You can learn more about Shiatsu massage, including how it differs in philosophy and approach to other massage techniques, by reading my article "Shiatsu Massage: About This Ancient Art".

• If I book a 60 minute appointment how long will I be on the table?

  A typical appointment includes three phases:

  Phase 1: Intake
  Learning about the nature of your issue by asking some questions.

  Phase 2: Assessment
  Determine which movement is problematic, your posture, and how you move.

  Phase 3: Action
  This is the “hands-on” time spent administering treatment.

  The information-gathering part of the appointment is required. It allows me to determine how to create an effective treatment plan for your needs. The more information you can provide, the better!

  Your first appointment requires roughly 15 minutes to complete the intake and assessment phases. (Tip: speed up this process by completing the intake form before you arrive.)

  Subsequence appointments usually require less time gathering information. Often 5 minutes is all we need before we move on to the action phase.

• Do I need to fill out an intake form?

  If it is your first visit, yes. Our industry requires that you complete a thorough health history to assure both of us that it is safe to massage you.

  You can fill out the form in one of three ways:

  Option 1: Complete the form online.
  After you have booked an appointment, you will get a confirmation email with a link to the online intake form.

  Option 2: Print and fill out the form at home.
  You can download the intake form from this page. Remember to bring the completed form to your appointment!

  Option 3: Fill it out at the clinic.
  If you haven't already filled it out, a paper copy will be provided for you prior to the start of our session.

  Have you seen me before? I ask that you update your existing file to inform me of the nature of your visit and the focus of the session. This will give me more time to spend administering treatment during your appointment.

• Any tips for getting the most out of my appointment?

  During the massage, it is important we both focus on you. You are encouraged – and expected – to let me know if the pressure is right for you, and to ask any questions that come up.

  You should also limit our talk to communicating your needs:

  • How comfortable you are with the depth of pressure being used
  • What area(s) you want me to focus on
  • Any feedback or questions you have

  By keeping the focus on your needs, you are sure to get the most out of your appointment.

• Can I eat or drink before a massage?

  Eating is okay, but please avoid large meals before your appointment to ensure you are comfortable.

  Do not consume drugs or alcohol prior to your session, regardless of legality. The consent for assessment and massage that I require from you is void if you are under the influence.

• Does my insurance cover the cost of your services?

  Insurance coverage depends on your specific health plan.

  Of the services that I offer, massage therapy is most likely to be covered by your extended health insurance. Please check your policy for details.

• Do you offer direct billing for my insurance?

  Direct billing to extended health plans, where possible, is available for selected providers.

  For complete details, please provide me with your policy/plan information. You will also need to fill out a Electronic Transmission Authorization & Consent Form, which is available for download on this page.

  Ultimately you are responsible for understanding your own plan. It is important for you to know the value of your policy. Schedule your appointments accordingly, and avoid booking all of your appointments at the end of your policy year.

• What payment methods are accepted?

  At the clinic, I accept cash, debit, e-Transfer, and credit cards. Credit cards have a $2.00 transaction fee in addition to the cost of the treatment.

  You can also choose to prepay when you book your appointment.

• Are there any size or weight restrictions to your services?

  No. There are no size or weight restrictions. Everyone is welcome!

  The massage table is electric, and includes extensions for adjusting to various positions and sizes. I will make sure you are comfortable before your treatment begins.

• When should I arrive for my appointment?

  Please arrive a few minutes ahead of your scheduled time. This will allow you a moment to use the washroom before we start.

  If you are late I may have to reduce the length of your appointment. This is done to ensure that the next client is not left waiting.
  

• How do I get to the studio?

  The studio is located at 400 Walmer Road, West Tower, Suite #112 in the York district of Toronto, Ontario.

  Directions:

  • 1 block west of Spadina Road and St. Clair Ave West
  • 2 blocks east of Bathurst and St. Clair Ave West

  Watch for these landmarks:

  • Loblaws
  • St. Clair West subway station
  • Holy Rosary Church

  Details regarding getting to the studio are also outlined in the confirmation email you will receive after booking an appointment.
  

• Where can I park?

  Complimentary parking is available in the underground parking lot. Please park in spots marked for “Visitors”.

  Metered street parking is also available on Walmer Road.
  

• Is the clinic LGBTQ+ friendly?

  Most certainly. The clients that I am privileged to work with come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and I want to keep it that way.

  It is very helpful when clients share what their individual needs. For example, some clients prefer that I use a gender-neutral pronoun which I oblige most respectfully.

  Gender-neutral intake forms are available when you use our online booking option. After booking an appointment online you will receive a link to our digital intake form; simply enter “neutral” in the space under gender

• Is the clinic wheelchair accessible?

  While there are no steps to the entryway and it is suitable for a walker, I ask that you please call ahead to ensure the entryway can accommodate your specific needs.