The Need for Clearance in Relaxation Therapy: Development of the Relaxation Clearance Tool for Practitioners

Abstract

Relaxation therapy is one of the widely used therapies conducted in clinical psychology practice. The purpose of relaxation is to reduce tension in the various muscles in the body system. Relaxation therapy is considered a noninvasive intervention and is effective in treating a number of stress-related conditions. Both young people and adults benefit from relaxation therapies. Though this intervention is non-invasive, there is a need for proper screening of patients especially elderly clients and people with special conditions before relaxation therapies are conducted. Failure to screen individuals may result in some complications for the client in treatment. A clinical tool has therefore been developed to guide and help practitioners adequately screen their clients for relaxation therapy. At the end of the tool is an agreement section to be signed by the client and therapist before the relaxation therapy procedure.