Frequently Asked Questions
What is Massage for Community Care?
Massage for Community Care (MFCC) is an educational program that teaches consent-centered, trauma-aware massage and touch skills for use in community, personal, and relational contexts. MFCC is not a certification program; it is a skills-based, values-driven learning space focused on presence, communication, agency, and care.
How is MFCC connected to Loom Collective?
MFCC lives within the Loom Collective ecosystem and shares its core values of consent, inclusion, accessibility, and non-extractive community care. Loom Collective hosts the MFCC series locally, while MFCC also functions as an educational initiative that may be shared with other communities over time.
Is MFCC a professional massage training or certification?
No. MFCC does not provide professional licensure, certification, or continuing education credits. It is designed for people who want to practice safe, respectful, and attuned touch in everyday or community settings—not to work as licensed massage therapists.
Who is MFCC for?
MFCC is for people who are curious about touch as a form of care and connection, including:
No prior massage or bodywork experience is needed.
Do I have to bring a partner or have prior experience?
No. You do not need to bring a partner, and MFCC is not couples massage. Participants may practice with different people in the cohort, choose solo or self-practice options, or observe.
If couples or friends attend together and prefer to practice exclusively with one another, that choice is respected. We do not assign practice partners; instead, we support participants in navigating what feels most comfortable and aligned for them.
Do I have to touch or be touched to participate?
No. Touch is always optional. You are invited to participate at the level that feels right for you, and observation, self-practice, or opting out are always valid choices.
What equipment is used during MFCC?
Massage tables are provided for all hands-on practice. All linens, cushions, and positioning supports are provided, and we use them to adapt for comfort, access needs, and different bodies. We also aim to create a cozy, welcoming environment throughout the series.
What should I wear? Will oil or lotion be used?
Over the course of the series, we explore a range of massage techniques, including Swedish-style techniques, which are traditionally practiced with oil or lotion, as well as fully clothed techniques. Removing clothing is never required. All techniques can be practiced through clothing, and participant choice always comes first.
If you wish to receive work with oil or lotion, you’re encouraged to wear clothing that allows access to the area being practiced that week without undressing (for example, wearing shorts on leg-focused weeks). For back work, a robe or a button-up shirt worn backward has worked well for many participants. Underwear always stays on, and glutes, genitals, and breasts are always covered.
How do you decide which body areas to work on?
We intentionally begin the series with less intimate areas (such as hands) and gradually move toward more intimate areas over time. This pacing allows trust, comfort, and consent skills to build naturally, rather than rushing into sensitive areas too quickly.
How does MFCC approach consent and boundaries?
Consent is central to everything we do. MFCC emphasizes clear communication, choice, pacing, and ongoing check-ins. You’ll learn practical tools for asking, listening, adjusting, and honoring boundaries—yours and others’—throughout the learning process.
Is MFCC trauma-informed?
MFCC is trauma-aware and agency-centered. While it is not therapy, the program is designed with an understanding that many people carry lived experiences of harm. Participants are encouraged to move at their own pace, make choices that support their nervous systems, and take care of themselves throughout the experience.
Is MFCC accessible?
We want MFCC to be as accessible as possible, while also caring for the people and labor that hold this work.
When funds are available, the Loom Collective Mutual Aid Fund can be used to offer community-supported admission for folks facing financial barriers. If community-supported admission would make participation possible for you, please reach out. Requests are handled with care and confidentiality, and there’s no expectation to share more than feels comfortable.
If you have access needs—physical, sensory, or otherwise—we invite you to let us know ahead of time so we can do our best to support your participation.
Where do MFCC gatherings take place?
MFCC gatherings are held in person at the Loom Collective headquarters at 2925 Calumet St. in Columbus, Ohio.
How long is the MFCC program?
MFCC is an 8-week cohort-based series, with weekly gatherings that combine discussion, guided practice, and reflection.
What if I have to miss a week?
We understand that life happens, and some flexibility is built into the cohort. Participants can miss one, and at most two, gatherings over the course of the series and still meaningfully participate. We do ask that everyone attend the first gathering, as it sets the foundation for consent practices, shared agreements, and the relational container we’ll be building together.
Each gathering also includes time for brief review, so participants can stay oriented even if they miss a week.
Is MFCC therapy or a support group?
No. MFCC is an educational program, not therapy or a support group. While the space is caring and reflective, it is not designed to replace mental health care or clinical support.
Can MFCC be used in my community or organization?
Eventually, yes. MFCC is being developed with the intention of sharing the curriculum with other communities in the future. Right now, offerings are facilitated directly through Loom Collective.
How do I sign up or learn about upcoming cohorts?
Click the link below to register for our upcoming cohort or join the mailing list to receive updates for future sessions.
Still have questions?
We’re happy to connect. Please send us an email at [email protected], and someone from our team will get back to you.
Massage for Community Care (MFCC) is an educational program that teaches consent-centered, trauma-aware massage and touch skills for use in community, personal, and relational contexts. MFCC is not a certification program; it is a skills-based, values-driven learning space focused on presence, communication, agency, and care.
How is MFCC connected to Loom Collective?
MFCC lives within the Loom Collective ecosystem and shares its core values of consent, inclusion, accessibility, and non-extractive community care. Loom Collective hosts the MFCC series locally, while MFCC also functions as an educational initiative that may be shared with other communities over time.
Is MFCC a professional massage training or certification?
No. MFCC does not provide professional licensure, certification, or continuing education credits. It is designed for people who want to practice safe, respectful, and attuned touch in everyday or community settings—not to work as licensed massage therapists.
Who is MFCC for?
MFCC is for people who are curious about touch as a form of care and connection, including:
- Community organizers and caregivers
- Partners, friends, and chosen family members
- Bodyworkers-in-training who want a consent-centered foundation
- Anyone interested in learning how to offer touch with clarity, communication, and care
No prior massage or bodywork experience is needed.
Do I have to bring a partner or have prior experience?
No. You do not need to bring a partner, and MFCC is not couples massage. Participants may practice with different people in the cohort, choose solo or self-practice options, or observe.
If couples or friends attend together and prefer to practice exclusively with one another, that choice is respected. We do not assign practice partners; instead, we support participants in navigating what feels most comfortable and aligned for them.
Do I have to touch or be touched to participate?
No. Touch is always optional. You are invited to participate at the level that feels right for you, and observation, self-practice, or opting out are always valid choices.
What equipment is used during MFCC?
Massage tables are provided for all hands-on practice. All linens, cushions, and positioning supports are provided, and we use them to adapt for comfort, access needs, and different bodies. We also aim to create a cozy, welcoming environment throughout the series.
What should I wear? Will oil or lotion be used?
Over the course of the series, we explore a range of massage techniques, including Swedish-style techniques, which are traditionally practiced with oil or lotion, as well as fully clothed techniques. Removing clothing is never required. All techniques can be practiced through clothing, and participant choice always comes first.
If you wish to receive work with oil or lotion, you’re encouraged to wear clothing that allows access to the area being practiced that week without undressing (for example, wearing shorts on leg-focused weeks). For back work, a robe or a button-up shirt worn backward has worked well for many participants. Underwear always stays on, and glutes, genitals, and breasts are always covered.
How do you decide which body areas to work on?
We intentionally begin the series with less intimate areas (such as hands) and gradually move toward more intimate areas over time. This pacing allows trust, comfort, and consent skills to build naturally, rather than rushing into sensitive areas too quickly.
How does MFCC approach consent and boundaries?
Consent is central to everything we do. MFCC emphasizes clear communication, choice, pacing, and ongoing check-ins. You’ll learn practical tools for asking, listening, adjusting, and honoring boundaries—yours and others’—throughout the learning process.
Is MFCC trauma-informed?
MFCC is trauma-aware and agency-centered. While it is not therapy, the program is designed with an understanding that many people carry lived experiences of harm. Participants are encouraged to move at their own pace, make choices that support their nervous systems, and take care of themselves throughout the experience.
Is MFCC accessible?
We want MFCC to be as accessible as possible, while also caring for the people and labor that hold this work.
When funds are available, the Loom Collective Mutual Aid Fund can be used to offer community-supported admission for folks facing financial barriers. If community-supported admission would make participation possible for you, please reach out. Requests are handled with care and confidentiality, and there’s no expectation to share more than feels comfortable.
If you have access needs—physical, sensory, or otherwise—we invite you to let us know ahead of time so we can do our best to support your participation.
Where do MFCC gatherings take place?
MFCC gatherings are held in person at the Loom Collective headquarters at 2925 Calumet St. in Columbus, Ohio.
How long is the MFCC program?
MFCC is an 8-week cohort-based series, with weekly gatherings that combine discussion, guided practice, and reflection.
What if I have to miss a week?
We understand that life happens, and some flexibility is built into the cohort. Participants can miss one, and at most two, gatherings over the course of the series and still meaningfully participate. We do ask that everyone attend the first gathering, as it sets the foundation for consent practices, shared agreements, and the relational container we’ll be building together.
Each gathering also includes time for brief review, so participants can stay oriented even if they miss a week.
Is MFCC therapy or a support group?
No. MFCC is an educational program, not therapy or a support group. While the space is caring and reflective, it is not designed to replace mental health care or clinical support.
Can MFCC be used in my community or organization?
Eventually, yes. MFCC is being developed with the intention of sharing the curriculum with other communities in the future. Right now, offerings are facilitated directly through Loom Collective.
How do I sign up or learn about upcoming cohorts?
Click the link below to register for our upcoming cohort or join the mailing list to receive updates for future sessions.
Still have questions?
We’re happy to connect. Please send us an email at [email protected], and someone from our team will get back to you.