Posted: 2022-12-02 22:57:22
I have a shared space and this is what I do as a therapist:
Welcome my client in, offer coffee, tea or water.
Then I explain that I ask all of my clients to take a shower first (I don't know if you've been working all day or how far you've driven, so you need to go shower even if you've just had one at home).
I also let my clients know that there is a hook behind the bathroom door and I leave a hanger in case they need it to hand up their clothes.
I explain that once they are out of the shower, they can come through and lay on my plinth. But while I give them space in the bathroom, I will be heating up the oils.
Then off to my plinth they go and if they are new clients, I ask questions about them and will only talk about myself once they ask. I read the energy of the client, their conversation and take it from there.
Once the massage is done. I move onto the sensual where the magic happens and that's when our nerves should have been eased already through touch, energy work and conversation or no conversation at all depending on what type of client it is.
But once the magic happens, it's about how the body talks.
As a rule of thumb, etiquette goes both ways and it is to show respect and always make sure that even though you have already agreed on xy and z, your session is still consensual and you respect one another.
Shit happens, people have tough days, things we know nothing about and what may have originally been agreed on, may no longer be what the client wants or what the therapist is willing to do. But this needs to be discussed and an agreement needs to be made etc...
That's what I do with my clients. I can't speak on behalf of anyone else and I have no clue what anyone else goes through. So it's not a judgement.
But I abide by strict protocols and this is to ensure both my comfort and my clients comfort.