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Everything You Need to Know

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Every question HR, Legal, Finance, and Operations typically asks before bringing Desert Holistic Wellness on board — answered completely and honestly in one place.

💼 Value & ROI 🛡 Risk & Liability ⚙️ Logistics 💳 Pricing 📈 Reliability & Scale 🌟 Employee Experience 🏭 Industry-Specific ✅ Trust & Credentials 🚀 What Happens Next 💬 Common Objections
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VALUE & ROI
For HR Directors, VPs of People, and Executive Leadership
What specific business problem does DHW solve?
DHW addresses four interconnected workplace problems simultaneously: employee retention, absenteeism, physical strain accumulation, and morale erosion. These are not soft concerns — they carry documented dollar costs. SHRM research shows replacing a mid-level employee costs 6–9 months of their salary. A meta-analysis of 56 studies found structured wellness programs reduce absenteeism by an average of 25%. Harvard Business Review research documents $3–$6 saved for every $1 invested in a workplace wellness program. DHW delivers a recurring, on-site therapeutic experience that directly addresses the physical root causes of these outcomes — and does it in a way that employees feel, talk about, and associate with choosing to stay.
How does this compare to a gym stipend or wellness app?
Gym stipends and wellness apps share one critical weakness: they require the employee to take action outside of work on their own time. Participation rates for these benefits are typically 10–30%. By contrast, an on-site massage program is delivered directly to the employee at work during their workday — no commute, no schedule change, no personal effort required. The employee simply shows up to their normal workplace and receives immediate, tangible relief. This is why on-site wellness programs generate far more visible engagement, word-of-mouth, and measurable morale impact than any benefit that depends on the employee's personal initiative outside of office hours.
What if employees don't participate — do I still pay the full price?
DHW's rate is based on hours worked, not headcount. If you schedule a 4-hour session and your therapist works 4 hours serving whoever participates, you pay for 4 hours. You are not charged per employee or penalized for lower-than-expected participation. The minimum session hours per your service agreement still apply — but you will never be charged for employees who chose not to participate. In practice, low participation on day one is extremely rare — word spreads quickly once the first employees return to their desks and colleagues see the difference.
Why should I choose DHW over an established vendor or a solo therapist?
A solo therapist solves a scheduling problem but not an operational one. If they cancel, your event falls apart. They may not carry adequate insurance. There is no contract, no backup plan, and no account management. Established national wellness vendors often assign whoever is available in your zip code, have no local accountability, and treat your account as a number. DHW is structured as a professional corporate partner: licensed and insured therapists, a service agreement, backup coverage protocol, certificates of insurance on request, and a local owner who is personally accountable to the quality of every session. We are not the cheapest option. We are the most professionally managed option in the East Valley.
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RISK & LIABILITY
For Legal, Compliance, and HR
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AZ Licensed
Every therapist holds a current Arizona LMT credential
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$2M / $3M Insured
DHW LLC: $2M per occurrence, $3M aggregate. Therapists carry individual coverage separately.
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Formal Contract
Written service agreement with all terms defined
COI on Request
Certificate of insurance provided before first session
Are you fully insured? What type and what coverage limits?
Yes. Desert Holistic Wellness LLC carries general business liability insurance. Desert Holistic Wellness LLC carries Commercial General Liability and Professional Liability insurance at $2,000,000 per occurrence / $3,000,000 aggregate on both policies — current through March 2027. In addition, every therapist in the DHW network is required to carry their own individual professional liability insurance as a condition of placement. This means your organization is protected at two levels: the company and the individual practitioner. Certificates of insurance for DHW LLC are available upon request and will be provided to your legal or facilities team prior to the first session date.
Who is liable if an employee is injured during a session?
DHW and the individual therapist carry professional liability insurance specifically for this purpose. All DHW sessions are therapeutic chair massage — a low-risk modality performed fully clothed with no oils or table work involved. Participation is voluntary, and we recommend clients inform employees with existing medical conditions to consult their physician before participating. Our service agreement defines liability clearly: DHW is responsible for the professional conduct of its therapists. The client is responsible for ensuring the designated space is free of known hazards. DHW LLC carries $2,000,000 per occurrence / $3,000,000 aggregate on both General and Professional Liability. Each therapist additionally carries their own individual professional liability insurance. Our coverage is designed to protect both parties appropriately.
Are background checks performed on therapists?
All DHW therapists are vetted prior to placement. The vetting process includes verification of current Arizona LMT licensure through the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy, confirmation of active individual liability insurance, and a personal interview with DHW leadership. Arizona LMT licensing itself requires passing a national board exam, completing approved education hours, and maintaining a clean professional record. Clients with specific background check requirements (common in healthcare and government contracts) may request additional documentation — please note this in your inquiry and we will accommodate.
Are there OSHA or workplace compliance concerns?
Chair massage in a workplace setting does not trigger specific OSHA requirements. It is a clothed, non-invasive therapeutic service performed by a licensed professional — not a medical procedure. Participation is voluntary and employees can decline at any time. For clients in regulated industries (healthcare, aerospace, government), we are accustomed to working within facility-specific safety protocols and can coordinate with your safety or facilities team in advance to ensure full compliance with your internal policies.
What are your cancellation policies and what happens if a therapist doesn't show up?
Client cancellations: 72+ hours notice — no charge. 24–72 hours — 50% of session total. Under 24 hours — 100% of session total.

If DHW's therapist cannot make it: DHW maintains a bench of on-call backup therapists. In the event of a same-day therapist cancellation, DHW will make every effort to deploy qualified replacement coverage. If replacement coverage cannot be arranged, the session is rescheduled at no charge to the client with priority scheduling. DHW does not charge cancellation fees when the cancellation originates on our end — ever.
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LOGISTICS
For HR Coordinators and Operations Teams
What exactly do we need to provide?
Three things only:
  • Space: A minimum of 8×8 feet of clear, reasonably quiet space per therapist. A conference room, large break room, or cleared office area works perfectly. The space does not need to be private, but lower ambient noise improves the experience.
  • A date and a time window: Communicate your preferred session date and how many hours you want covered. DHW handles everything from there.
  • An announcement to your team: A brief internal communication telling employees when and where sessions are available. DHW can provide a template if helpful.
That is the complete scope of your involvement. DHW brings all equipment, manages the therapist, handles scheduling logistics, and cleans up after the session.
How do employees sign up for sessions?
DHW provides a simple time-slot sign-up sheet template that your HR coordinator distributes to employees. Employees select their preferred 15- or 20-minute slot, and the completed sheet is returned to DHW at least 48 hours before the session date. This allows DHW to structure the therapist's schedule efficiently and ensure no employee is left waiting. For larger sessions with multiple therapists, DHW coordinates multiple simultaneous sign-up sheets by department or floor. The process requires no software, no accounts, and no technical setup on your end.
How many employees can be served per session?
Each licensed therapist can serve 4–6 employees per hour for 15–20 minute sessions, or 3–4 employees per hour for 20–30 minute sessions. A 4-hour session with one therapist serves approximately 16–24 employees. For larger workforces, DHW deploys multiple therapists simultaneously — a 4-hour session with 4 therapists can serve 64–96 employees in a single day. Session length and therapist count are determined during the proposal process based on your headcount and preferred coverage percentage.
What does a typical session day look like from start to finish?
30–45 min before start: DHW therapist(s) arrive and set up equipment in the designated space. No assistance required from your team.
Session window: Employees arrive at their scheduled time slots, receive their session, and return directly to work. There is no preparation required — employees remain fully clothed and can return to their desk immediately after.
Between employees: The therapist uses a brief sanitation protocol between each session — sanitizing hands, equipment surfaces, and the face cradle.
End of session: The therapist breaks down all equipment, removes everything from the space, and leaves it exactly as found. Your HR coordinator receives a session summary (employees served, hours completed) within 24 hours.
What happens if we need to adjust the schedule on the day of?
Day-of schedule adjustments are handled directly between your HR coordinator and the DHW therapist on site. Sessions can be extended if the therapist's schedule permits (subject to availability and rate adjustment), compressed, or reordered. If a department meeting runs long or a team becomes unavailable, time slots can be shifted to accommodate. The therapist is a professional who understands corporate environments and will work with your team to make the day run smoothly. Significant changes (e.g., adding 2+ hours or a second therapist) require DHW coordinator approval — contact us directly for same-day changes of this scale.
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PRICING & STRUCTURE
For Finance, Accounts Payable, and HR
What is your pricing structure?
DHW charges a competitive hourly rate per licensed therapist deployed. Your total session cost = rate × hours × number of therapists. For example, a 4-hour session with 2 therapists at $85/hr = $680. Pricing is customized based on company size, visit frequency, and services requested. Recurring contract clients receive locked rates for the duration of their agreement — your rate will not increase mid-contract. Contact us for a specific quote tailored to your organization.
Are there minimum session requirements?
Yes. Minimum session requirements by tier:
  • Foundation (50–499 employees): 2-hour minimum per visit
  • Momentum (200–499 employees): 3-hour minimum per visit
  • Signature / Enterprise (500+ employees): 4-hour minimum per visit
  • Wellness Day Events: Custom — typically 6–8 hours with multiple therapists
Minimums exist because each session involves therapist travel, setup, and breakdown time that must be accounted for. There are no minimums on contract length — month-to-month arrangements are available.
Are there travel fees?
No travel fees for client locations within the DHW East Valley service territory — Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, and surrounding communities. Locations outside the standard service area are quoted on a case-by-case basis and any applicable travel accommodation is disclosed in writing before the service agreement is signed. There are no hidden fees — your proposal will itemize every cost before you commit.
How are invoices handled? What are the payment terms?
DHW invoices are issued 5–7 days before each scheduled session. Payment is due 48 hours before the session date — this prepayment confirms your therapist and holds your scheduled time. For recurring monthly clients, a single invoice is issued at the start of each month covering all sessions in that period.

Accepted payment methods: ACH bank transfer, Zelle, or check payable to Desert Holistic Wellness LLC. We do not currently offer Net-30 terms for new clients. Established recurring clients (6+ months) may request Net-15 terms in writing.
Are there discounts for recurring contracts?
Yes. Clients who commit to a recurring schedule receive a locked rate for the duration of their agreement — rates are not subject to market adjustments mid-contract. Volume discounts are available for enterprise clients with high session frequency (weekly or more) or multiple simultaneous therapists. These are discussed and documented during the proposal process. All discounts and locked rates are written into the service agreement before the first session.
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RELIABILITY & SCALE
For Operations and Executive Leadership
How many therapists do you currently have? Can you handle large events?
DHW is an actively growing company with an expanding network of Arizona-licensed therapists across the East Valley. We do not publish a fixed roster number on this page as it changes frequently — contact us directly for current capacity and availability for your specific date and headcount. For large events requiring 5 or more simultaneous therapists, we recommend reaching out at least 3–4 weeks in advance to confirm availability. For standard recurring sessions, 1–2 weeks advance notice is typically sufficient.
What is your backup therapist policy?
DHW maintains a bench of qualified on-call backup therapists for exactly this scenario. In the event of a same-day therapist cancellation, DHW contacts backup therapists immediately and will notify your HR coordinator of status within 2 hours of the original session start time. If backup coverage is secured, your session proceeds as scheduled. If no qualified replacement can be arranged, your session is rescheduled at no charge with priority date selection. DHW does not penalize clients financially for cancellations that originate on our side — ever.
Can you service multiple locations?
Yes. Clients with multiple East Valley locations can schedule sessions across sites. Each location is treated as a separate session with its own therapist assignment and schedule. Multi-location contracts receive coordinated account management — you deal with one DHW contact for all sites. Simultaneous multi-location deployment (e.g., three sites on the same day) is available subject to therapist availability and is best confirmed 3–4 weeks in advance.
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EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE
For HR, Culture, and Employee Engagement Teams
What does the employee experience feel like?
An employee arrives at their scheduled time slot, sits in a professional ergonomic massage chair, and receives a focused therapeutic session targeting the areas most affected by their work — typically the neck, shoulders, upper back, and arms. Sessions are conversational or quiet, depending on what the employee prefers. Employees remain fully clothed throughout. There are no oils, no undressing, and no unusual equipment. The experience is professional, comfortable, and immediately physically noticeable — most employees describe significant relief in the neck and shoulder area within minutes. They return to their desk directly after, typically within 20–30 minutes of their start time.
Is this appropriate for all employees regardless of age, fitness level, or health status?
Chair massage is appropriate for the vast majority of adults across all fitness levels and most health conditions. Participation is always voluntary. DHW recommends that employees with the following conditions consult their physician before participating: recent surgery or injury, active cancer treatment, blood clotting disorders, severe osteoporosis, or pregnancy. Employees with these conditions are welcome to participate if their physician has cleared them. Our therapists are trained to adapt pressure and technique to individual needs and will ask brief intake questions before each session. No employee will ever be pressured to participate.
How do you ensure professionalism in a workplace setting?
Every DHW therapist is briefed on workplace conduct standards before their first corporate assignment. This includes: professional attire appropriate to a business environment, communication standards appropriate to the corporate setting, strict confidentiality regarding anything observed or discussed during sessions, and adherence to the client company's workplace policies. Sessions are conducted in plain sight in a shared space — not in private rooms. If at any point an employee feels uncomfortable, they may end their session immediately and notify your HR coordinator. DHW takes professionalism complaints with complete seriousness and has a clear escalation process.
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INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC CONCERNS
Aerospace · Manufacturing · Healthcare · First Responders
Can therapists work in industrial environments like hangars or manufacturing floors?
Yes — with appropriate coordination. Sessions do not need to occur on the production floor itself. Most industrial clients designate a break room, training room, or administrative area adjacent to the work area. Our equipment is portable and can be set up in virtually any space that meets the minimum 8×8 foot requirement and is free of active safety hazards. For aerospace and manufacturing clients with strict facility access requirements (badges, safety briefings, PPE requirements), we coordinate with your facilities or safety team in advance to ensure all requirements are met before therapist arrival. Please note any facility-specific access requirements when you contact us.
What sanitation protocols do your therapists follow between clients?
Between every employee session, DHW therapists follow a standard sanitation protocol:
  • Hand sanitizing with hospital-grade hand sanitizer
  • Replacement of face cradle cover with a fresh disposable cover
  • Wipe-down of all contact surfaces (arm rests, head rest) with EPA-registered disinfectant wipes
  • Fresh linens or disposable covers for any fabric contact surfaces
This protocol meets or exceeds the standards required by the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy. For healthcare clients with heightened sanitation requirements, please specify this in your inquiry and we will detail our full protocol for your infection control team's review.
Will sessions disrupt workflow or create noise in an office environment?
Minimal disruption. A professional massage chair setup requires no mechanical equipment, produces no noise beyond normal quiet office conversation, and occupies a single designated space. Sessions are conducted at normal speaking volume or below. The setup is visually professional — comparable in footprint and aesthetic to a vendor doing a product demonstration. Most corporate clients find that sessions actually improve workflow for the remainder of the day, as employees return to their desks noticeably more relaxed and focused. If you have concerns about a specific area of your office, describe it when you contact us and we will advise on the best placement approach.
Can sessions be adapted for high-stress, high-demand roles like first responders?
Yes. DHW therapists are experienced in adapting both technique and session tone to the individual. For first responders and similar high-demand workforces, sessions are typically focused on recovery and physical decompression — deeper pressure work on the areas most affected by occupational stress (lower back, shoulders, forearms for those carrying equipment). Sessions can be conducted at firehouses, precinct facilities, dispatch centers, or administrative locations. We understand that shift schedules in public safety are irregular — DHW can coordinate session windows around your shift rotations with advance notice.
TRUST & CREDENTIALS
Why DHW. Why Now. Why Christian Burleson.
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SESSION PHOTOS — UPDATED AS WE GROW
We document every new client relationship with professional setup photos. This gallery is updated as new corporate partnerships are established. Check back — or contact us directly and we will walk you through exactly what a DHW setup looks like in a workplace environment similar to yours.
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Chair Massage Setup
Corporate Environment
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Reflexology Session
Workplace Setting
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Multi-Therapist
Large Event Setup
Who is Christian Burleson and why is he qualified to run this company?
Christian Burleson is the founder and owner of Desert Holistic Wellness LLC, based in San Tan Valley, Arizona. DHW was built from a personal observation that the corporate wellness industry was failing working people — offering apps, stipends, and catered lunches while ignoring the physical reality of what it means to work a full shift in a physically demanding or desk-bound environment. Christian built DHW to do it differently: licensed professionals, real therapeutic value, delivered directly to the workforce. His commitment is to build the standard that corporate wellness in the East Valley is measured against — not by being the largest or the cheapest, but by being the most professionally managed and the most genuinely useful to the people it serves. He is reachable directly at (480) 476-1088.
Are you affiliated with any professional organizations or certifications?
All DHW therapists are credentialed through the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy, which requires passing the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), completing an approved education program, and maintaining continuing education requirements for license renewal. DHW operates as a licensed Arizona LLC in good standing. For clients who require additional vendor certifications or compliance documentation (common in government and enterprise contracts), please specify your requirements in your inquiry and DHW will work to meet them.
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
From First Contact to First Session
1
Day 0 — You Submit the Form or Call
We Confirm Receipt Within 2 Hours

Every inquiry submitted through our contact form or by phone receives a personal response from Christian or a DHW team member within 2 business hours. You will not receive an automated email and then wait a week. You will hear from a real person who has read what you submitted and has specific thoughts about your situation.

2
Day 1–2 — The Discovery Call
15 Minutes. No Pitch. Just Clarity.

The discovery call covers: your company size and workforce type, your goals (retention, morale, injury reduction, appreciation), preferred visit frequency, any logistical questions specific to your facility, and whether DHW is genuinely the right fit. If we are not the right fit for your situation, we will tell you that directly rather than sell you something that does not serve your team well.

3
Within 24 Hours of the Call
You Receive a Tailored Proposal

A written proposal delivered within 24 hours of the discovery call. It includes: recommended service type and frequency, therapist count per session, session duration, total cost per visit and estimated monthly cost, and a summary of what the program looks like for your specific workforce size. The proposal is clean, direct, and does not require you to decode jargon to understand what you are agreeing to.

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Upon Proposal Acceptance
Service Agreement and First Session Date

Upon acceptance, DHW sends the service agreement via DocuSign. Once signed, we confirm your first session date, assign your therapist(s), and send your first invoice 5–7 days before the session. Your HR coordinator receives a session prep checklist — the only action required on your end is designating a space and notifying your team.

5
First Session Day
Your Team Experiences It.

From this point forward, most of our clients say the same thing: it runs itself. DHW manages every subsequent session. You make one recurring announcement to your team each time. Your employees experience it, talk about it, and look forward to the next one. That is the program working exactly as designed.

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COMMON OBJECTIONS
The Real Answers to the Hard Questions
"This sounds expensive."
Relative to what? A single mid-level employee replacement costs your organization between $30,000 and $45,000 by SHRM's estimate. A biweekly DHW session for a 200-person team costs a fraction of that annually. Harvard Business Review research documents $3–$6 saved for every $1 invested in a workplace wellness program. The math is not complicated. The question is not whether this is expensive — it is whether losing employees, managing absenteeism, and absorbing lost productivity is more expensive. In every case we have seen, the answer is yes.

We also offer a pilot arrangement — one to three sessions with no ongoing commitment — so you can experience the program and make the ROI case internally before signing anything recurring.
"Our employees won't use it."
This is the most common concern and the one that most consistently does not materialize in practice. What actually happens: you announce the program, a handful of early adopters sign up, they return to their desks visibly relaxed, and by the end of the first session there is more demand than available slots. Chair massage requires no personal initiative, no change of clothes, no gym bag, and no time outside of work. The barrier to participation is as low as walking to a different room for 20 minutes. The employees who "won't use it" almost always do — once they understand what it actually involves.
"We don't have the space."
Our minimum requirement is 8×8 feet of clear space — roughly the footprint of a large desk with a chair. A conference room, a corner of a break room, a cleared storage area, or even a quiet section of an open floor plan all work. We have set up in remarkably small spaces and in large airy atriums. Contact us and describe your facility — we will tell you honestly whether we can make it work, and if so, exactly how. In our experience, "no space" almost always becomes "oh, we could use the conference room" once we talk through it.
"We already offer wellness benefits."
Good — that means you already believe in the value of investing in employee wellbeing. The question is whether your current benefits are delivering a visible, felt, talked-about impact at the individual employee level. Most wellness benefits (apps, gym stipends, EAPs) are used by a minority of employees and generate limited internal conversation. On-site massage is the rare wellness benefit that employees mention to their families, bring up in interviews, and associate with their decision to stay. It does not replace your existing benefits — it is the one that actually gets noticed.
"What if it doesn't work?"
Start with a pilot. One session, no ongoing commitment, no long-term contract. If your employees do not respond positively, you have lost the cost of one session and gained complete certainty about whether this is right for your team. We are confident enough in what we deliver to make that offer without hesitation. In our experience, the pilot does not fail — it generates a waiting list for the next session. But you do not have to take our word for it. Try it once and let your employees tell you.
Still Have Questions?

TALK TO US DIRECTLY.

If your question is not answered above, call or email us. We respond to every inquiry personally, not with an autoresponder.

Book a Free Consultation 📞 (480) 476-1088