Over the past several months, I’ve been deeply engaged in advocacy for practitioner safety, trauma-informed care, and policy reform within the massage therapy profession.

Though I initially planned to pause this work, I stepped back in after encouragement from other RMTs who wanted to hear updates and responses to the changes introduced by both the RMTAO and CMTO. This work — building awareness, drafting proposals, and amplifying practitioner voices — has been profoundly meaningful and necessary.

At the same time, advocacy around trauma and systemic harm can take a personal toll. After consulting with my psychotherapist, I’ve decided to take a step back from active advocacy once more — this time for a sustained period of rest, grounding, and recovery.

This is not a step away from the cause — it’s part of it. Healing and boundaries are forms of advocacy too. By caring for myself, I can return to this work in a stronger, clearer, and more sustainable way.

The Canadian RMT Peer Support & Safety Network will continue to exist as a space for community connection and peer-led healing. Its mission remains the same: ensuring that no RMT faces abuse, misconduct, or isolation without support. I will continue to remain as moderator until a replacement can be found (to ensure safety and confidentiality of the group), and will be acting in a limited capacity, while still committing to monthly zoom sessions.

To everyone who has signed, shared, and stood beside this effort — thank you. Your solidarity has already driven meaningful change, and your compassion continues to build the foundation for what’s next.

💙

— Ashley Culp, RMT

Founder, Canadian RMT Peer Support & Safety Network