The Need for Supervision in
Massage and Bodywork
When I first read an advertisement for a class on Supervision, I
immediately thought that I didn't need anyone telling me how to do a
massage. I have been doing it for 15 years. My practice was flourishing,
but I felt like I was working too hard. I was finally making the money
that I needed, but I thought that I just wouldn't be able to keep it up for 20
more years. After reading an article by
Jack
Blackburn,(see
articles section) a local Trager
practitioner, I started understanding that there was a need for supervision in
the massage community.
You may want to consider finding a supervisor if you experience
some or any of these things:
-
Are you making the money that you need to pay the bills,
save, pay your taxes and go on a nice vacation? If you are making that
amount, are you working too hard to get it?
-
Are you friends with some of your clients?
Do you feel like you would miss them when they move on or you do? Do you see
them socially or do they call you at home? I often feel that our
profession is different since we touch people and see them regularly.
What is wrong with being friends or caring about what happens to them?
How does being friends affect your treatments or how does the client feel?
It does effect client relationships in some way.
-
Do you feel obligated to come in on your day off for clients
who are injured or call at the last minute?
-
Do you often work more than the scheduled
time to try and get the client feeling better? Do you expect a tip or
other compensation? How does it make them feel? It may make them feel
uncomfortable because they now never know how long a session really is and
they may feel confused as to how much to pay you.
-
Do you feel frustrated when you can't
"fix" a client? Is your main treatment goal to
"fix" a client?
-
If you don't think you need a supervisor, you
may be fooling yourself.
-
You can only take a client as far as you
are willing to go yourself. this means in every way- physically,
mentally, emotionally, spiritually not just physically as many massage
therapists may assume. Do you do all the things you tell your clients
to do? Stretch? Drink enough water? Exercise? Eat healthy food?
If you answered yes to any of these but don't really think that
it is a problem, you may be surprised when you start looking into these
issues. Most of these issues are a result of projection and the
transference/countertransference process that occurs in any kind of
relationship. There is really no right or wrong answer for the above
situations or any relationship issue. What really matters is are your
values consistent with your actions and how do you feel about what is happening.
This
can be addressed when working with a competent, caring supervisor.
See
also finding a supervisor.
Resources - to explore issues involving the therapeutic
relationship and supervision.
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