Debra has a passion for helping others achieve emotional and physical balance through massage therapy. Her style has been described as profound, thoughtful, and nurturing, and has been highly effective in helping clients overcome chronic pain and ease anxiety.
Why do you require a Client Intake Form?
There are a few reasons we require this form. First and foremost, the questions on our intake form ensure you get the best massage for YOU. Full disclosure of medications and health history is vital for us to determine a safe and optimal massage plan for your individual needs.
Additionally, the Massage Board requires us to do so, and we wholeheartedly agree with this requirement. Certain medications and medical conditions alter our course of treatment for your protection.
What time should I arrive for my appointment?
For your first appointment we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to complete the brief intake form (unless you filled it out when you booked online). Anytime you want to arrive early in order to relax beforehand and mentally prepare for your massage session, please enjoy a coffee, tea, or water in our relaxation room while you wait. When possible, we'll be happy to begin your service earlier than your scheduled appointment.
If you have been in to see us before, you're just fine to arrive at your treatment time, but if you choose to arrive earlier you will have extra time to wind down while enjoying our relaxation room.
What should I wear (or not wear) during my massage treatment?
You will have complete privacy getting undressed to your comfort level before getting under the covers on the massage table, and getting dressed again after your session. Bear in mind, you will be modestly covered ("draped") under a sheet and fluffy blanket at all times during your treatment. Only the area receiving treatment is uncovered, and your private areas are never exposed. You will receive a great massage regardless, but generally speaking, your massage experience will be best with just your underpants on or a pair of shorts. We require gentlemen to wear underwear or shorts during their massage session.
In the past, I've had massages that were painful and rather unpleasant. Will my massage hurt?
We often hear from clients they have had painful massage sessions elsewhere. Our philosophy is that massage is most effective when the body is fully relaxed, and you can't fully relax if you are anticipating the next unpleasant touch. If our pressure is too deep or if it is painful, your body will react by tensing up (guarding) and this defeats the purpose of the treatment. We start with lighter pressure and wait for your body's permission to do deeper work. Please let us know if our pressure is too strong or if you experience any pain or discomfort during your massage session so we can address issues more gently.
What if I believe a great massage will hurt a little? No pain no gain, right?
A massage therapist can quickly end her career by putting too much strain on her body to administer this kind of pressure for her clients. When a client is on the massage table, we as therapists are responsible for two bodies: our client's and our own. If you are seeking a massage with this much pressure, The Haven may not suit your preferences. But please do consider giving us a try to see how a more gentle method can be just as (if not more) effective.
WE ARE OPEN MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Holiday Closings:
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving (Wednesday - Friday)
Christmas (December 24th - 26th)
New Year’s Eve
Cancellation Policy:
We request you call to cancel or reschedule your appointment no less than 24 hours prior to your appointment time.
Cancellations within that 24-hour period and no-shows are billed to the card on file at the full retail amount of the session you booked. Emergency cancellations are determined at management's discretion.
Late Arrivals:
If you arrive late to your appointment, we must finish your appointment on time to keep others’ appointments running smoothly. The full amount will still be due for your appointment.
Draping Policy:
During your treatment you will be covered a sheet and a fluffy blanket to provide warmth, comfort and modesty. Genital areas and female breasts are covered at all times. To ensure clear clinical bounaries, we require gentlemen to wear underwear or shorts during treatment. Please communicate with the therapist if you are uncomfortable with the draping procedure, or if you get too hot or cold.
Sexual Harassment Is Not Tolerated:
It is unfortunate that this even needs to be addressed, but sadly we must. Any illicit or sexually suggestive remarks or advances made by the client will result in immediate termination of the session, and the client will be liable for the full retail amount of the scheduled appointment. This includes flirting, inappropriate touching, and/or sexual innuendo. At The Haven we take pride in the healing work that we perform, and these demeaning, inappropriate behaviors will never be tolerated. Criminal acts such as inappropriate touching or solicitation will be promptly reported to law enforcement.
Before the massage session
When you arrive, your massage therapist will briefly interview you to determine your goals for the massage session and to learn of any current pain or tension you may be experiencing. She will then excuse herself from the room to allow you privacy to undress and get under the sheet and blanket that are on the heated massage table. Most likely you will be asked to begin the massage lying on your stomach with your face in the face cradle. After a few minutes, your therapist will knock on the door and wait for your permission to enter the room. To ensure your comfort, the therapist will place a bolster pillow under your ankles, which gets your back into a more neutral position. We require gentlemen to wear underwear or shorts during the massage session.
During the massage session
Once your therapist asks if you are comfortable with the level of heat on the table, the position of the face cradle, and the position of the ankle bolster, she will begin a quiet manual assessment to locate areas of tension. These initial touches are done while you are fully covered ("draped"), and allow the therapist to develop a strategy to address all areas of tension within the allotted time.
After this initial assessment, your therapist will undrape your back, apply the massage lotion, and begin your massage treatment. Again, you are modestly draped throughout your treatment. If, during your massage, you are uncomfortable in any way, please let us know. This feedback will not offend us, and will help us give you the best massage.
You will get the best results from your massage if you are fully relaxed. During your treatment, it is common for your massage therapist to move your arms or legs to get them in a neutral position or to do a stretch on the table. As much as it is possible, try to allow the therapist to move you without you helping her.
After the massage session
When your session is done, your therapist will quietly tell you she is about to step out and to get up slowly. Massage therapy can cause dizziness and a feeling of euphoria, so it is important you use caution when initially getting up to get dressed. Once your massage therapist leaves the room and closes the door, you will have privacy to get off the massage table and get dressed. With a cup of water in hand, your therapist will meet you outside the room when you're done to discuss any stretches or exercises that might help the effects of your session last longer. In some cases if she notices issues that are beyond her scope of practice, she may refer you to a medical doctor for an evaluation.
