BUSINESS
New Therapists
Advice for new
THERAPISTS
Just starting out? Magda Lorynska offers some advice for new therapists that more experienced practitioners can also benefit from…
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What they don’t teach you at school In the UK, massage schools are not regulated by the government which means that standards vary from provider to provider. In some schools you will learn more about customer service, in other schools, more about running the business. In other instances, you will learn one massage routine and complete a quick compulsory business unit. Whatever the training is providing, many of the gaps can be covered by CPD courses and reading books. I strongly recommend the following reads to new therapists: The Educated Heart: Professional Boundaries for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers (available on Amazon). This book will answer most
URING a recent massage
dramas, like not having enough clean towels before
treatment in a local spa, I
your last client; discovering your supplier didn’t send
asked my therapist, “Do you
the new batch of massage oil on time; or that your
enjoy your job?” This therapist
client potentially has an allergy to all of the products
has been working in the leisure
that you stock. No business is 100 % emergency
industry for nearly six years and, like many
free, but by experiencing these situations, you will
relatively inexperienced therapists, she already
learn how to deal with them in a calm manner - a
seemed to be struggling with burnout. Eventually,
manner that’s going to keep your client calm and
after a long pause, I received a hesitant “Yes” to
relaxed during their treatment. Not every spa is the same and you should
my question. I’ve worked in numerous local spas and I’ve
always check conditions and environment before
common ethical issues massage therapist may have including tipping, working with your family and friends and relationships with clients. Basic Clinical Massage Therapy by James H. Clay (available at World of Books). This is a beautifully illustrated book describing massage movements in detail. Finally, a good business book such as An Introductory Guide to Business by John Mann (Available on Amazon)
learned that many therapists quickly become
you start working somewhere. Things worth
overworked and burnt out in a spa environment.
asking during your job interview with a SPA
Embrace technology
Some are fortunate and move into successful
manager are:
Something that is rarely covered in a massage or
self-employment. Others leave to work in a salon or take a normal 9-5 office or industrial job,
What are the time gaps between treatments?
because it is less stressful.
These are usually between 5 and 15 minutes, but
beauty training school is technology. We live in the
if they are 5 minutes long you will need to change
twenty first century - mobile phones make us
Should new therapists work in a spa?
the bed and prepare for the new client within this
available to clients at any time and any place.
time, or risk running behind your schedule.
There is no excuse for a therapist not to be
After qualifying, new
How many consecutive massages you will
is different from being glued to your phone and
therapists often feel lost
have to do? In most places this is changing so a
not having a life of your own. Take advantage of
and unsure where to
therapist doesn’t have to complete five hours of
automatisation. You don’t have to be an IT guru
work. Working for a spa can be an invaluable
massages in a row, however in some locations
to add automated reply to your emails, letting
experience and would suit anyone who has a
you can still be asked to do this.
your clients know when you will be available
connected and available for new enquiries. This
to respond to their email e.g. within 24 or 48
lot of energy and learns fast. Working in a spa can mean learning new modalities and gaining
What continual development is offered e.g.
hours. I also strongly recommend you record
valuable qualifications while learning how to run
training outside and inside of the spa?
a professional voicemail. If you use the same number for business and private contacts, keep
a business successfully. It’s about learning how to deal with the life’s little
20
holistic therapist 2020
What is the progression route?
your recording short and professional.
holistictherapistmagazine.com
