Employee/IC Instruction or Shadowing Lead Therapist

[Disney Girl]

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[MatthewHeckler]

When I was hired in my first job this is exactly how I was trained. What you have in mind is probably the best idea, maybe working on another employee rather than working on a client. Make sure she practices at home at least a few times a week. It takes time to get confidence up and know what to do and where to go, especially if the newbie is really nervous. Build her confidence with those that may be easier to please also may be a good idea. Hope this helps.

 

[Sneha R]

I do like the idea of having her work with some of your regulars who would be willing to be "practice" bodies for a discount. But, while I certianly understand that you have a business to take care of, I would disagree with the shadowing.Throw her into the fire.

I know that sounds mean, but if she has the basics at a point that you are comfortable hiring her, why not let her just do it and get it. Granted, this is my own perspective, but when I started, I think I would have been more nervous shadowing someone, and it probably would have taken me longer to feel comfortable working.
:2cents:

 

[blue heart]

I do like the idea of having her work with some of your regulars who would be willing to be "practice" bodies for a discount. But, while I certianly understand that you have a business to take care of, I would disagree with the shadowing.Throw her into the fire.

I know that sounds mean, but if she has the basics at a point that you are comfortable hiring her, why not let her just do it and get it. Granted, this is my own perspective, but when I started, I think I would have been more nervous shadowing someone, and it probably would have taken me longer to feel comfortable working.
:2cents:

:iagree:

 

[C. Lourde]

I think it is just fine to have her shadow you. You most likely have a certain continuity you want to run through all your client's experiences. I think it's fine to have a training session that she shadows, while you point out the things you want her to pay extra attention to likes "Be sure to massage from origin to insertion, so the client feels you've covered everything." "Always be certain to explain to the client what they can expect." "When draping, always be careful not to expose." "We like all the massages to end with a nice finishing technique".......or whatever your suggestions are for this therapist.

I know that I certainly appreciated any help I could get when I first started out. When I did a practice massage on a manager who hired me in the beginning, she gave me some suggestions. If I got a massage therapist on my table, I would always ask them if they had any hints for ways to improve. I was hungry for ways to improve and be better. I would have LOVED it if an experienced therapist had invited me to shadow her! I would get massage from a variety of people and pay attention to the little things that they did that made the experience nicer, as well as those things that I didn't quite like.

All that being said, I did have a co-worker who had been hired by a spa where the manager insist they be trained her way to do some of her "signature techniques". The problem was that her techniques were just murder on the thumbs. She insisted that all massage incorporate these techniques and she would frequently have "spies" report to her. That was a little overboard I think.

But, I think that doing a training session or two to "polish things up" a bit is just fine!

 

[360]

We frequently hire new therapists and for the most part we need to do no further "instruction" other than supporting them verbally. We talk to them, share ideas and tell them of our experiences and most importantly we reinforce to them that they've learned all of this in school and all that they need is practice, practice and more practice.

We also encourage them to do trades with us so they can get an idea of how each of us do our massages (we are all different) and we can give them suggestions as to how to improve their massage while they work on us.

That said, we have had a few employees who went to schools that truely just taught the basics (relaxation massage only) and we did tutoring to teach them more therapeutic modalities so they could handle clients who come in looking for specific work for a particular problem they are having. When we have done this, an employee (or friend) will be on the table so we have a body to work on.

We were all "newbies" at one point in our careers. When I was a newbie, I had an experienced therapist take me under her wings and I will always appreciate that. I try to pass that along.

Angie

 

[jeffmesa35]

Yes, that may be a more eloquent way to say what I was thinking. :
Thanks, moogie. t006

Having a mentor and someone you can trade with and get feedback from is priceless.

 

[bumblebee2k9]

I am in the "just go for it camp". She is after all a licensed therapist now & no longer a student. But thats the way I learn. Watching someone for me would feel like endless torture. I need to touch it, feel it, do it. Maybe you could approach her as to how she feels she would get the best out of it. How she feels she learns best. For her it may be shadowing. Its very generous of you to want to take the time for her.

 

[Dances4Demeter]

Is there something about this new MT that appeals to you more than hiring an experienced practitioner? I'm thinking that hiring someone w/experience would eliminate the need to shadow or train altogether . . .

 

[mixeddudetx]

deleted

 

[KiwiKid [new avatar]]

I agree with the others who said, "Throw her into the fire!" t077 t077

She's only going to get better and I assume you she's good enough if you are willing to hire her.

This is coming from the Newbie perspective as I just graduated last year. I have learned so much from doing trades with other MT's. I would encourage her to find a few seasoned therapists to trade with. That would include you.

Now, if she really wants to do some training with you then maybe just do a session or two with one of your clients as a bonus or discount.

 

[flozrockz]

I'm just so impressed that you would even do this.

Things sound way different in other places. Here in SF, many places won't hire folks until they have at least a year, sometimes two or even five years, of experience.

I wish I would have found an employer like you when I first left school!

 

[justagirl]

Do a massage on her. Thats sometimes the best way to learn. She'll find out what it is you want by experiencing it. Then maybe show her on another therapist what it was you were doing.

JASON

 

[Irish Girl]

I would lean against the shadowing with regular clients. My reason for this: You don't want encourage your clients' assumptions that she may not be capable of performing good work. If they see her shadowing, their first thought is going to be that you are "teaching" her how to do good massage work. This could cause problems in the future with them using her as their alternate when you are away or sick.

Now, if you can get a group of MT's together for a day, and let her shadow as you work on them, I'd be all for it.