One of the distinctive features of Sutherland-Chan’s massage therapy program is our teaching clinic system. Clinical education is the integrating piece that brings together what students learn in the classroom. It also provides diversity of experience in the clients and conditions they encounter while in school.
If you are thinking about becoming a massage therapist, we urge you to research the clinical programs of the schools you are considering. The clinical experiences a school provides, which include the advice and guidance of experienced instructors and access to clients and institutions that the school’s professional relationships make possible, are a crucial part of massage therapy education. They may also help you land more specialized jobs after you graduate!
Student Clinic
Student Clinic is an integral part of the learning experience at Sutherland-Chan. Term 1 students prepare by taking our Intro to Clinic course [link to Clinic Education Overview?], and every student must do one Student Clinic shift per week in Terms 2, 3, and 4. Student Clinic involves working with members of the general public who book appointments. Clients are screened so that their health status is well matched with the knowledge base of their student therapists (the more advanced the students, the more complex health concerns they are prepared for). Students treat two clients per clinic shift under the supervision of a clinical instructor who is in the room at all times. The student:instructor ratio is 10:1. Student Clinic focuses on developing, learning, and honing skills in communication, assessment, goal-setting, documentation and treatment planning for each client’s unique case. As students progress their skills, for example, in client assessment or advanced techniques, they practice what they have learned with their clients.
If you are interested in booking a Student Clinic appointment, please click here.
