getting back into it

[maxy]

Hi everyone. I have been out of the loop for a couple of years now, as I moved across country & had a baby as well. The baby is almost 1 now, and I am back at work. Or should I say, starting work.

After I graduated in Ohio, I had a small outcall practice of my own, maybe 2 clients, sometimes 3 a week. I did this for about a year, and then, when we began to plan to move, I stopped.

So now, it has been 2 years since I was in practice. I got myself hired at a chiro office, which I thought could be very educational. I have been seeing 3-5 clients a week, and I feel like I am starting to get my touch back. But I am still uneasy & lack confidence. I took a deep-tissue class before I set out to look for work, and that helped a bit, but I am still not feeling super confident.

Some clients have given me positive feedback, and others have been strangely quiet. I want to do good work, but I am still so unsure of myself. I often wonder what would have happened had I gotten a job right out of school, instead of just cobbling together my own practice. I had the same small group of clients the whole time, so I didn't really have to step outside my comfort zone.

Now, I have one hour slots for each appointment, back to back, including teardown & setup for next client. People ask for full body treatment, but they also want deep focus on troubled areas- I am finding it hard to balance both those desires in one 45 minute session. I end up rushing, or not actually getting to everything. My last client wanted me to work on her belly, but I ran out of time & I am pretty sure she won't be back because I didn't get to it. (that session has been bugging me all week.)

I guess I am looking for suggestions on what things I can do to help improve my ability to connect with my clients. I am working hard on my communication skills (I can be a chatter, so I am keeping a lid on that pretty well, and trying to keep the talk about their experience of what is going on...). I am also trying to remember not to let clients I dont' connect with as much get me down. But some days I wonder if I am cut out for this....


thanks for reading...

 

[wellwisher]

I'm glad you found us! Sometimes getting back in the pool is harder than jumping in was the first time. That is okay, just keep plugging away and you'll be fine.

As far as doing a full body plus specific deep work on an area in 45 minutes - that is hard! I just tell clients that I will focus on their main need, and do what I can to relax the rest of the body. I do just a bit of stretching and minimal all-over swedish, then do the focus work, then end with some more swedish so that they *feel* it was complete. It may mean arms just get swished up and down, or not much of that great back massage they love so well. If the strokes are slow, the fact that there are not nearly as many strokes as usual isn't a big issue.

You will get in your "groove" after awhile.

 

[JoelKatz]

Don't be discouraged if clients are slient. It's not necessarily strange. You have said you are lacking confidence, so it may be that you are "needing" reassurance that you did a good job. Sometimes, they assume you know it! Which is actually a good thing.

And I agree with Rose of Sharon. If they want specific focus, explain to them UP FRONT that that means you will probably not get to their whole body.

My other big piece of advice is to START WITH WHAT THEY ASK FOR FIRST. Or close to first. I have gotten so good at budgeting my time that I don't always need to do this. But I still do often because people will feel good that you heard what they were asking for and listened and acted. Starting with the stomach may not be your usual deal, but so what? Mix it up. You will learn new things in the process. (Like how to start off on the stomach, such a sensitive area). You are right, she probably won't come back. Not only because you "didn't do what she asked for" but because it comes across as if you weren't listening to her, or didn't care what she thought she needed.

I know that wasn't really the case. That's clear from your post, especially since it bothered you. It was a simple lack of time budgeting. If you can't buget your time yet, just do what they ask for first. If something else gets left out, they still feel taken care, and like they got what they came (paid) for.

And finally -- GET A MASSAGE! From someone who comes recommended, someone with experience, and consider it a class -- a refresher. Take mental notes. Ask questions afterwards. It will put the spirit back in your bones!

Good luck!

 

[Ff-ff-ff-ffiown]

evergreen, I don't have any advice for you, but I wanted to let you know I'm in the same boat, or at least a similar boat. I'm in my first job out of school, have almost zero confidence in my skills, have clients who want "everything plus" in a 50-minute session. I work with other therapists who've been doing massage forever, are incredibly skilled and have extensive and loyal clientele, and I feel completely out of their league, like a dog under the table begging for scraps. I don't have much of clientele, so almost every massage is an introduction of sorts, where I get to know the client's body and the client gets to know my touch. But if I can't "fix" the client in one session, they don't come back, or they do come back for a session with another therapist.

It's incredibly frustrating at times. I hope things get better for both of us

 

[Doberwoman]

shiva- you are so right. I need a massage. I have been planning on it for the whole month of december, and have not managed it yet. that ought to be my new year's resolution. And I am going to start with what they ask for first from now on- I think it will lead to a more fulfilling session for everyone.

RofS- I feel better today- like I am actually getting my groove back. I had 5 sessions this week, and they all went really well. I know I need to be patient with myself, but it is hard sometimes. I think that the session I mentioned earlier wouldn't have bothered me as much if it hadn't been right before the holidays, and my last one for almost another week- I had too much time to dwell on it.

joplus- I hear you on working with other super confident therapists. It can be intimidating at times. I am sure things will get better as time goes on.

thanks for your feedback everyone. I haven't posted here in years- since I was in school, in fact, and I remembered the site the other day & logged on. It is such a wonderful resource & I am looking forward to lots of reading this weekend!

 

[blood.pixie]

I don't have much of clientele, so almost every massage is an introduction of sorts, where I get to know the client's body and the client gets to know my touch. But if I can't "fix" the client in one session, they don't come back, or they do come back for a session with another therapist.

Believe me when i say most of us can't "fix" it all in one session. Really, truly if you believe in your heart that you have the best intentions to give this person all you have to offer at that moment that is all you can ask for or do. Most people can sense when you are giving them caring touch that is focused on them. Concentrate on only that moment and that session and the wonderful gift you have for them at that time. Not to worry if its fixed for good or if they will come back. You have the skills and education now let your care shine thru. You have all it takes. Believe in you.

 

[Wayne]

Next time your run out of time, just tell them, that way they know you were listening too them.

After they are dressed, just say "I wanted to let you know I didn't forget about working your abs. Since you are a new body to me, I was working other area's and ran out of time but be sure that I will include your abs next session."

People really just want to know we listen and pay attention to details.

I usually spend a lot of time on feet but sometimes if other things are going on, I can't. I tell them.... hey, sorry about the lack of feet work but your --- really needed some extra time today."

 

[Pompal 09.]

After they are dressed, just say "I wanted to let you know I didn't forget about working your abs. Since you are a new body to me, I was working other area's and ran out of time but be sure that I will include your abs next session."

"

oooh. i like that approach. thanks for the tip!

 

[sunk1stxo]

Wow. Communication is key to preventing this stuff from happening in the first place!

When new clients book 30 minutes and want "full body, with extra time on my neck and low back"... it's time to educate them a bit. I know myself and how I work, and what seems to work best for me at this time. As a therapist, I feel they should know that 30 minutes isn't enough time to do effective work covering that much territory.

In most cases, I let them know "We only have 30 minutes this time, so we won't be able to effectively cover everything you've asked for. To give you the greatest relief in the time we have, I recommend we focus on ______, and perhaps begin working on _______. How does that sound?"

Most of the time, they nod and say that sounds just great!

If I have some extra time available before my next client, I also let them know they can choose to extend the session at any time, up to (15/30/whatever's available) minutes. About 40% of the time, we get into the work and they choose to extend it right then... another 20% wait until we've got 2 minutes left, and the rest just stick to the scheduled time.

When we're done and the client is dressed, I always take a few minutes to chat after. I help set some expectations for them, give them some suggestions to maximize the benefits of the work we did, and suggest a time frame for rebooking. If appropriate, we'll also discuss length of treatment plan and coordination of care with their health professionals. If we need to spend more time on an area in the future, I discuss that with them and put it in my SOAP notes.

My clients don't expect me to fix EVERYTHING NOW, but they know I will always find a way to help them to the best of my ability. For me, it's not about the "best ever" massage experience, but providing a trusted bodywork relationship that always works for them.

 

[Karen C]

awhhhh evergreen I hope this past month has brought you renewed energy for the work and confidence.

I second everything JasonE said...his post punctuates my style too in regards to setting expectations and keeping communication wide open.

I will tell you that building the confidence factor has been one of my biggest challenges. My lack of confidence seemed to follow me from school right into my practice for the first few months.

I remember working with a classmate while still in school and he told me my work was good but that I needed to trust myself. I heard that from multiple classmates.

It was not until I started working for a spa and saw ten + clients a week that I finally moved through that fear. It was a gigantic wall I had built - as well, I am smart enough to know that there were some darn good therapists out there with years of experience that could be considered "better" than me...however when I finally just had to see a lot of clients everyday I realized I may not have as much experience as some others - but the clients that were seeing me were seeing me because for whatever reason they were being sent my way.

The first six months I spent staring the 'am I good enough?' question down everyday. It was hard, it didn't feel good, but I stuck with it and I moved through it. I examined why I was feeling that way...

Flash forward to now, I have built quite a nice group of regular clients now. I see 10-15 a week at the spa and then occassionally one of my own at my house who I had established before I was at the spa.

Last week I had someone come to me who was a practice client when I was in school. She commented on how my work has grown and how I am an accomplished bodyworker now. This was unprompted...I do not fish for compliments...it felt so good though.

My point is this. It took time for me to feel comfortable and find my work. While I took a few continuing education classes to learn some new technique it was really the time that I practiced and saw a ton of clients that grew me up and helped me to gain confidence. It is that moment that you see your style reflected back at you when you take a stroke you learned in school and make it your own...with your own twist...your own touch...

If you don't have more than five clients a week I would suggest you practice on some people for free. Just to the level you feel comfortable. It will help. It takes regular practice I think to keep it fresh.

In regards to the time factor - if possible I would build in some time between clients to change sheets, set up, and cushion if you are running behind...I have fifteen minutes between clients and this is so good. It allows for set up of the room, intake, outtake, and time to have a sip of water. There is no way I could do a full body with special emphasis on a specific area in less than an hour...and in an hour I can only work with Swedish...in an hour of deep tissue I typically just work the upper body...so if possible I would talk to the chiro about reworking this...if he/she is not receptive, than you have some expectations to set with the clients, as well as restructuring of time to consider.

Maybe it would be beneficial to build a whole menu of different treatment times. 30 minute treatment time for specific, focused work - an hour for full body Swedish (minus abdominal work/glutes) , an hour and a half Swedish including abs/glutes), an hour deep tissue (upper body or other permutations), and an hour and a half deep tissue for full body.

The times above though may not be billed easily to insurance. However I think it would give you the flexibility that you need so desperatly right now with time.

I hope you have stuck it out and are feeling better at this point. I know how you were feeling when you posted last month and it is not fun. It is the beginning jitters...it is forgetting how you are the only you here on this earth, and your touch cannot be duplicated by anyone.

As my A&P teacher told our class right before we graduated from massage therapy school...."Your clients are already walking towards you..." Now all you have to do is trust....

Take care....

 

[Twitch]

thanks for taking the time to respond

indeed, the passage of time has done wonders for my sense of confidence. I have been doing between 4-8 sessions a week, and am feeling a lot better. I have had some really good results & some positive feedback, and that has helped. Plus, I am now feeling a bit more in stride about where I am on my journey as a therapist, and the fact that I do know what I am doing, even if I can sometimes feel overwhelmed by all that I don't know.

oh- and I got my massage. that was truly educational & necessary for my personal wellbeing.

 

[RaTz]

I am so glad to hear it evergreen! Good for you!!!!

I think the work that we do is so spontaneous...every body is different and our work changes everyday as we grow. Sometimes it can feel like we are standing on ground that is always moving and that is when I take a deep breath and find the ground beneath me before I start working.

I remember in school I went to have a required massage for class. I went to one of my TAs and she said even after a few years she still felt butterflys before each session. She said she always asked the universe to work through her and give her client what he or she needs...I have carried that with me ever since and ask the same before each of my sessions.

Take care evergreen and I am so glad you are feeling better!