clients who linger after treatment

[bash]

Hi everyone

I have a problem with some of my clients in that they don't leave! I always offer a glass of water after treatments (various massage therapies), and get my diary out but some clients launch into lenghty and often intimate details of their life and sometimes are still sitting there an hour after the massage has finished. Now I am quite happy to talk for a short time but this is gettign too much. Clients often say how much talking to me helps them but I am not a trained counsellor. I 've got to the stage where I am leaving longer and longer gaps between clients to allow for this. I do not wish to be rude to my clients but I am obviously giving out signals that its ok to stay and talk and I need to address this. Does anyone have the same problem and if so how to they deal with it?

 

[Jamerican Steve]

Hi Indigo Girl[/align][/align]Just tell them politely that you have someone else coming for a treatment shortly and you really must get on, be polite but firm, remember like the treatment you are in control [/align]

 

[Wajahat A]

I cannot answer you from a therapist point of view, but I understand this can become an issue for you. You are obviously a sensitive person to create gaps to accommodate your customers. The customers seem to have gotten used to this and think it is OK. If you want this changed, it is you that will have to change.

The place I go to for my therapies they also offer me a glass of water, but she says: I’ll put a glass of water here for you, and will see you outside in a minute. She leaves the room and I get dressed, so I have the water by myself and not with her, so I empty the glass quicker than if we would have been chatting.

Is it possible for you to leave the glass of water with them.
Or cut the conversation short and say: I really do not have the time to chat with you today, I have a few things to prepare for my next customer and I would not like to run late. You would only have to do this once or twice and as you are changing, so will they.

Just a few ideas, perhaps other with therapy experience can give you more useful ideas.

Andrea

 

[*Kelly*]

Hi

Oh I like the glass of water idea! I do really try to say that I have another client coming but sometimes I can't get a word in. My therapy room is off my living room so what normally happens is I leave them to get dressed and then the client comes into the living room, sits on the sofa and has a drink. Whereas if I leave the drink with them they will still come into the living room but I could remain standing with my diary in my hand. Obvious really - when someone suggests it! Thanks.

 

[Me me me]

I sometimes get 'chatty' people. For some years I have finished each treatment by pouring them a glass a water, then tell them that I will leave them to dress. I go out of the room, giving them a few minutes. When I go back in, I go straight to my diary and ask them if they would like to book their next appointment. I write this in the diary then write the receipt for the treatment just given. I do not sit down to do this. I then go to the door, and hold it open for them. Invariably the next client is in the waiting room, but sometimes I have a 15 minute break in order to prepare the room. If they confide in you, with problems that are not in your domain, then interrupt them politely, by saying that you think they may be better advised to discuss this with a counsellor. It is difficult, I know, and sometimes I do chat - especially with some of my elderly clients, who I know don't see anyone else for days on end.

 

[Delboy]

This is something I have a problem with - cutting them off - ending the session..

However I have started to leave them a drink then leaving the room to let them change, asking them to open the door slightly when they are ready for me to reenter. I've started to do the keep standing and writing the receipt trick.. it works well. I have one client who, despite all efforts just wont leave, bless her, little old lady, think she likes having someone to talk to. I just take this one on the chin..