Ontario RMTs: Consent For Treatment of Sensitive Area

On September 21, 2017 the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario released new Standards for Maintaining Professional Boundaries and Preventing Sexual Abuse. These new standards were put into place to align RMTs with the new Government of Ontario legislation, the Protecting Patients Act, 2017.

The new standards introduced a new requirement: RMTs must obtain written consent for the assessment and treatment of sensitive areas; such as breasts, chest wall muscles, inner thighs, and gluteal muscles. Ultimately, this means more paperwork for RMTs - but today we’re happy to announce that ClinicSense now has full integration of the Consent To Treat Sensitive Areas Form so that you don’t have to worry about the extra paperwork piling up.

Simply open the SOAP note for the appointment, and in the Objective section of the note, you will have the option of opening the Sensitive Area Consent Form. Simply pass your device for the client to sign, and once they are finished, re-enter your password to regain access to your account.

Note: This feature is only available to RMTs in Ontario, Canada.

‍

‍

Understanding Sensitive Area Consent Forms in Ontario — and How ClinicSense Makes It Easy

In Ontario, sensitive area consent forms are a critical part of maintaining ethical, professional, and legal standards in massage therapy and healthcare practices. These forms ensure that clients fully understand and agree to any treatment involving areas considered sensitive, such as the chest wall, buttocks, inner thigh, and gluteal region.

Why are Sensitive Area Consent Forms Required?

The primary reason for sensitive area consent forms is informed consent. According to the regulations set out by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO), therapists must obtain explicit, written consent before treating sensitive areas — every time the treatment occurs. This protects both the client and the practitioner:

• Client Safety and Comfort: Clients are fully aware of what areas will be treated and why, ensuring they feel safe, respected, and in control of their care.
• Professional Boundaries: Practitioners are held to a high ethical standard, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or allegations of misconduct.
• Legal Compliance: Therapists must meet regulatory obligations to practice legally and maintain their license in good standing.

In practice, this means that verbal consent isn't enough. A clear, documented record must exist, confirming that the client knowingly agreed to sensitive area treatment after receiving a proper explanation of the techniques and rationale.

‍

What Should a Sensitive Area Consent Form Include?

A proper sensitive area consent form typically covers:

• A description of the areas that may be treated
• The therapeutic reasons for treatment
• Assurance that treatment will only proceed with ongoing, active consent
• Confirmation that consent can be withdrawn at any time
• Signature and date fields for both client and therapist

This ensures transparency and creates a foundation of trust — both essential for an effective therapeutic relationship.

‍

ClinicSense Makes Sensitive Area Consent Simple

At ClinicSense, we understand how important it is for practices to stay compliant — without creating extra work. That's why we’ve built sensitive area consent directly into our custom SOAP note templates.

With ClinicSense, you can:

• Customize your SOAP notes to include sensitive area consent fields
• Capture signatures digitally, streamlining your intake and documentation process
• Ensure compliance with CMTO and other regulatory standards, reducing risk to your practice
• Protect your team and your clients with clear, easy-to-access documentation stored securely online

This feature is included at no extra cost for ClinicSense users — because we believe that proper documentation should be easy, not stressful.

By embedding consent tracking into your workflow, you can spend less time chasing paperwork and more time focusing on what you do best: helping your clients heal and feel their best. You can start with one of the ClinicSense consent form templates.

Try ClinicSense for free for 14-days!