A Burnaby massage therapist has been barred from practice for six months after the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) found multiple breaches of professional standards. The disciplinary panel cited billing for services not rendered, advertising that promised guaranteed cures, and incomplete client records. The therapist,whose name is being withheld pending appeal, must also complete ethics and record‑keeping coursework.

Six‑month suspension for undisclosed Burnaby therapist

The CMTBC imposed a six‑month licence suspension on the practitioner and ordered payment of a portion of the investigation costs. According to the college’s disciplinary panel,the sanction also includes a formal reprimand and mandatory ethics training . This penalty underscores the regulator’s willingness to enforce strict compliance when trust‑breaking conduct is uncovered .

Billing for phantom treatments uncovered

The panel determined the therapist submitted claims for treatment durations longer than actually provided and, in some instances, billed for sessions that never occurred. As the college reported, these improper billing practices not only violate provincial health‑care rules but also risk financial harm to insurers and patients alike.

Deceptive ads promising guaranteed relief

Marketing materials used by the therapist featured phrases such as “guaranteed relief” and claims of curing specific conditions, which the CMTBC says are prohibited under its advertising guidelines. The college warned that such language creates unrealistic expectations and erodes public confidence in licensed massage therapy.

Incomplete client records trigger regulatory alarm

Investigators found the therapist’s client files missing essential components, including treatment plans, progress notes and informed‑consent documentation. The college emphasized that inadequate record‑keeping compromises continuity of care and patient safety, marking it as a serious breach of conduct.

Will the therapist appeal and what could change?

The therapist retains the right to appeal the decision, meaning the suspension could be altered or extended pending a review. The CMTBC has not disclosed any further evidence, leaving open whether additional violations might emerge during the appeal process.