Student Clinic

As part of our commitment to our Central Vermont neighbors – and to help introduce the benefits of massage therapy to greater numbers of people - we are pleased each year to offer community massage services through our Student Clinic.

Beginning in January, students begin offering massage services to the general public at greatly reduced rates. This allows us to give something back to the communities in which we live and work, as well as to give our students the opportunity to gain professional experience and to begin building their own massage practices.

Clinic Policy

24-Hour Cancellation – We understand life happens and you may need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. We require 24-hours notice so that someone else may schedule into your time slot and the student can plan their schedule accordingly. You will be charged the full session rate for a cancellation, reschedule, or no-show within the 24-hour window.

General – Clients must be 18 years or older. Student Clinic takes place at Balance Massage Center located at 92 South Main Street. Parking is available in the lot in the back or on the street. Please enter through the door at the front porch that says “Balance Massage Center” and “Balance Massage School”, remove your shoes, and make yourself comfortable until your student therapist greets you. Students will provide Swedish Massage in either 60-minute or 90-minute sequences. While you may request a bit more focus in a trouble spot, please understand that students are not yet trained in therapeutic deep tissue or regionally focused work (ex. treating a rotator cuff injury or releasing tight upper back muscles). Students will provide you with their beautiful Swedish sequence.

Learning Environment – Students are practicing their skills and learning the process of working with clients directly. They may be nervous and make mistakes. Please be prepared to offer the student feedback upon the conclusion of your massage session. The number one priority of the Balance Massage School Student Clinic is to provide our students with clinical experience. While we do our best to accommodate specific requests for student therapists, this is an educational environment and there will be times we need to switch therapists around to optimize their learning experience and provide them all equal access to practice sessions. Due to the quiet and professional environment of the center, no children under 12 may be permitted to accompany adults.

Nature of the Massage – Students are professional massage therapists in training and all massage sessions performed by students are completely non-sexual in nature. We have a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT. If this is violated, the session will be terminated immediately with full payment due.

Sickness and Medical Conditions – Please reschedule your session if you are sick with a fever or contagious bug (please provide 24-hour notice when possible). Any clients under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave and forfeit full payment for the session. Students may not be trained yet in specific medical conditions. If you have an injury or disease, please provide a written letter from your physician approving student massage therapy. Students are not yet trained in pregnancy massage and cannot provide this service. The school is not responsible for any adverse reactions from student massage if an injury or disease is not disclosed and approved by a physician. If a student is sick, we will contact clients as quickly as possible to cancel or reschedule any appointments.

LGBTQ+ and BIPOC – We are an LGBTQ+ and BIPOC safe zone. Any form of mistreatment or disrespect of these communities are not tolerated at Balance Massage.