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Are they a certified mental health counselor?
Are they
a massage therapist/bodyworker? It is rare to find both a massage
therapist and counselor but highly advisable. Keeping supervision with
the profession brings greater insights. If you can't find a massage
therapist with counseling credentials, the next best thing would be to find
a great certified mental health counselor who can help you look at these
issues.
A massage therapist without credentialing in counseling who
(even if they have been through the process of supervision) would lack the
skills to assist in processing emotions that often come up in supervision.
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Have they been supervised themselves? For how
long? My supervisor has been working with a supervisor for 15 years
and continues to see one.
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How long have they been a massage therapist? How
successful is their practice? Do they have a full time practice or a part
time practice? Have they been through the process of building a
practice themselves?
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Have they supervised other massage therapists?
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Set up an initial interview with the person and see how
comfortable you feel with them. Do you understand what they are
saying? Are you comfortable sharing with them?
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What do you want them to assist you with? Techniques?
Business Issues? Self care? Setting up your practice? Building your
practice? Make a list of things you need help with. Start thinking
about individual clients and what feelings they bring up for you.
Determine what you expect to get out of the sessions and talk about how you
will know if you are getting those needs met.
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How often will you meet and where? Will meeting with them be
convenient?
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Clarify financial arrangements. How much will they be
charging? The going rate for counseling (in the Seattle area) is about
$90 per hour. My supervisor charges his going rate for massage -$80
per hour.
