Transference in the Massage Profession
The process of transference occurs in all
relationships. Transference is a projection of internal drama that usually
comes from early childhood relationships. (You come home angry at a
co-worker and kick the cat. You yell at your spouse when they don't pay
enough attention to you, when it was an absent parent who is really the cause.)
It is important to learn about the power of
transference so that you can be more present for your clients' needs.
Transference creates a power differential that is a key component in healing.
When clients seek us out for specific reasons
they are usually looking for an expert to help them with their issues.
They come to believe that we know more about them than they do themselves.
They come looking for answers to their pain and dysfunctions. They come
looking to get the unmet needs of early childhood attended to without really
knowing it. The fact that clients take their clothes of to some extent creates a
vulnerability that is unique to the massage profession. The power of touch also
takes people to a deeper part of themselves where these unmet needs and
repressed feelings live. It is an unconscious process in all
relationships.
Becoming more aware of yourself can help you
become more aware of when a client is in a state of transference.
Some common signs of transference:
-
giving gifts to the therapist
-
needing/demanding extra time on the table
-
buying products you may be selling to
please you
-
calling you at home
-
wanting to date you or become socially
connected to you or having a crush on you
-
wanting an extremely reduced rate (they
want you to show them that you think they are special and deserving.)
-
discussing personal issues with you ( you
are only qualified to do massage)
-
client idealizes you, think you are the
authority on massage and healing
-
not being able to tell you what they
really want as far as pressure, room temperature, music or whatever
-
expressing more affection than you feel
comfortable with
-
sexual advances direct or indirect
-
not wanting to offend you
Dealing with transference.
Client's usually are not aware that they are
transferring these feelings or behaviors onto you. How we can deal with
the issue is transference is to be aware of ourselves and our own needs.
When you know what you need, you can create clear boundaries. Setting up
the framework of your business with clear policies and procedures in one way to
create boundaries.
Setting fees, setting work hours, setting
rules about social interaction and dating clients will all help keep the
interaction clean (and you not ending up in counter-transference.
The process of supervision
and peer supervision groups can assist you in
dealing with such client interactions and help you create your ideal practice.
