Getting rid of unwanted clients ... ?

[xzanbfjl]

Hi Andan
Some clients start difficult & get easier as they relax/feel better. Some are just difficult and stay that way. Sounds like yours is a bit of a bully. He obviously appreciates what you do & hopes if he shouts you'll cave in & give him an immediate appointment.

You seem to be handling him well & not giving in & you certainly shouldn't feel guilty for having a life & other clients. He might back down if you call his bluff so tell him you won't be spoken to in that way, that you're busy & have other responsibilities & if he has a problem with that then he should go elsewhere - basically what you've already suggested but less diplomatically.

Email is ok but use the same lines for a face to face or phone conversation. Either he treats you with courtesy or you don't work with him. If he continues to push then feel free to terminate the call/conversation/treatment as he's had fair warning.

Hope that helps.

 

[CannedUs]

Jinx has said some sage words.

To be honest, it sounds like this guy needs some psychological intervention, not just massage therapy, and that you should refer him on - to anyone!!! I had one like this last year - the final straw was when he showed up at my house (my clinic is in my garden) and rang the house door bell until my husband answered. The chap knew I was with a client, as there was another car in the car parking space, and my door was screened. He 'told' my husband that he was a regular client, and that he would be available for a treatment for the next two hours and could I please arrange to see him in an hours time........ my husband was polite, but said he didn't control my diary but knew that I was booked up for the day. "In that case, tell her I'll see her tonight"...... '"er, no, you won't, as she is out this evening"..... do you know he had the nerve to say "oh, where?"....... I rang him when I was finished with the client, and said that I could not see him until such and such a day (8 days away), and that in the meantime he should try a colleague of mine in the next village. Strangely she was fully booked too! This particular chap had become a pain. HUGE problems in his personal life, which manifested in various aches and pains. Oh, by the way, he is on wife number 4 - as our American colleagues say "Go Figure".

I would lose this particular client to another therapist if I were you. Far too controlling, and he obviously needs to sort out other issues before there will be any resolution to his physical problems.

 

[Liv.like.me]

We all get these people from time to time, i have found you have to be firm and professional with them, tell them what they are doing is not the way you work, and you can no longer treat them, and would like them to find an alternative therapist.

They usually realise then, that they have stepped over the mark, apologise, and normally go on their way.

 

[5 ft 7 Texas Heaven]

Thanks guys, i appreciate your support and advice. Am feeling a lot better about it, especially as i have been fully booked up for the past two days (only finished 30mins ago) so know my service is appreciated by lots and all my other clients are lovely

I think i was rather taken a back that someone would have this attitude.

I appreciate the advice and will definitely be using it.

Jabba - great account of your situation with a client As for this client having psychological issues, i have thought this from very early on and have been using some of my other skills to work on this, especially as he feels he has a positive attitude and doesn't feel its anything psychological.

Jinx, i know what you mean, some clients did start off a little off hand at the start but now they are absolutely lovely clients and i actually have a really good relationship with them as they've found someone they can work with. Unfortunately it doesn't seem that way in this situation!

Thanks again guys! Now i must go get ready for my weekend away Have a good weekend everyone.

 

[Jade Wilson]

I have a couple of clients who are a bit like this - and I sometimes think that they perhaps have Aspergers Syndrome (or something similar to that) - because they genuinely don't seem to realise how demanding and unrealistic they are being with their expectations. And even when I react to their rudeness by being a bit 'cold' with them - they don't even notice!! LOL! So I am now as firm with them as I need to be, and I don't worry that I've gone too far because they still keep coming back.

In the past when I've wanted to get rid of clients who have acted disrespectfully, I've just explained to them that there needs to be a relationship of mutual respect between therapist and client. And that I didn't feel that the 'energy' was quite right between us.

It sounds like your client is not used to hearing the word 'no'. But there are much better ways of getting what you want in life than simply demanding and expecting. The sooner he learns that, the better.

You are clearly excellent at what you do (or else you wouldn't be so busy) so don't let him give you any stress or worry. Save your energy for your nice clients!

Kitten
x

 

[Kristine]

Whilst I don't like the fact that some of you have had problems with clients it's very reassuring to read about as you realise it's not just happened to yourself. I had a similar client a few years ago (turned up 4 hours late and couldn't understand I wouldn't see them etc). Eventually I phoned them up and said the client / therapist relationsionship had broken down and I could no longer treat them. They argued with me but I stood my ground. I guess one 'rogue' client in 15 years isn't bad but I still felt a little guilty about it from time to time until I read this thread. Thank you!