How much do you talk during your sessions?

[shh]

I've been talking more and more... by which I mean a little bit

With non-relaxation clients, I've been speaking up during the massage about what I'm doing or how body issues relate, etc... rather than saving it for the check-in at the end.

Part of it is applying a learning from receiving from one of my energy work teachers, who basically narrates her entire sessions. I found this to be really great, as a receiver, for work that is so subtle. It took the work out of the "what are you doing?" realm.

So I'm applying that to sessions where someone complains about back pain, and then I'm starting on their belly or chest, which isn't straightforward to folks... or when doing anything out of the ordinary, myofascial, polarity, etc.

I've also been talking more when clients communicate pain or other interesting feedback.

You?

 

[schwer]

With my massage clients:

For a new client I check in more often at the first visit or two. 'How's the pressure?' 'What are you noticing here?' ... that kind of 'typical' stuff. But that's all. If there is any other talking it is 100% lead by the client and I keep any response short, sweet, and to the point.


For my CranioSacral clients:

We may dialogue throughout the entire session or it may be a completely quiet session.


In either case, for me it's all about what the client needs that day in that particular session.


Brian

 

[Pompal 09.]

For my relaxation massage clients (which are very few), the talk is minimal, checking in every so often or so.

For clients receiving clinical/therapeutic work, I would say I talk as much as I need to in order to give instructions, explanations/education, and self-care demos while on the table (if appropriate). Fortunately, a number of my clients are recurring and know the 'spiel' so that I don't necessarily have to explain point by point.

Of course, if a client wants to talk, it's their time and this may be necessary in order for the work to be truly and fully effective.

 

[Micah]

It really depends, some of my regulars are real chatters and we talk the whole time...but sometimes they just sort of sink into the table and chill out in their happy place so we don't talk at all.

With a newbie, I'm more likely to be checking with how they're doing with pressure or something I'm noticing, but always always always the conversation is directed by the client.

 

[morporc]

Exactly, word for word as Empathetic~Heart said.

 

[Popcorn]

Depends on the client and the day. Sometime we talk throughout the session and other times we hardly speak at all. I have also, like Ego, have started to explain more what I am doing or why and informing them more about what causes what they have going on.

 

[Lightning From the East]

I talk as much as the client wants. I generally don't like totally quiet sessions. If the client is asleep I won't talk But if they are awake I ask more or less pressure or the same. Also like to know whats going on with the client in general. Talking is cool.

Jason

 

[dyslexic dog]

I say what I need to at the beginning and at the end. I usually check in once or twice mostly do 30-minute sessions in a chiro clinic). Other than that, I speak when I'm spoken to or have a question. Which means I spend most of my sessions quiet.

 

[zbdblues]

I've noticed that when I do therapeutic work, people often want to know what the structures/techniques are, so I will often educate during sessions. Of course, it goes without saying that I don't initiate conversation especially during relaxation work, but since I've been doing more explaining during some specific work, my returns have skyrocketed. I often hear, "I wonder why no other therapist ever told me that before!"

 

[Sean G]

Every client is different and wants something different from their sesssion.
Most of my clients have been seeing me now for several years and they love to gab when they see me. Sometimes it's like girlfriends getting together. Sometimes the gabbers want some quiet time too. I try to follow their lead. If they are initiating conversation I will converse. But if they are keeping quiet, I keep quiet, and only ask questions when needed.
I have a few clients who are very talkative before they get on the table. They want to catch up since they last saw me. When they get on the table they are not saying a word. I just try to respect that as much as possible. Sometimes I wish the gabbers would just shut it and enjoy my massage. My work is better when I am focused. What can I say, everyone is different.

 

[dheyenne]

Yeah, it really depends for us, too. I kinda like to test the waters with each client. Individuals vary greatly.

Some clients are pretty much quiet the whole session. They might be just enjoying and letting it sink in, or they might be going to sleep, or they might be healing in their own way. To (try to) make sure they're not silently enduring a disappointing visit, I check in every once in a while to ask about pressure, technique, whether we're hitting the right spots (while I usually can tell without asking, sometimes I do ask just to make sure), etc.

Others like to chat up a storm and I'm fine with that, too. For new clients, I think they're nervous and trying to get to know me and trying let me get to know them. I'll let them talk, and I'll respond appropriately; the only exception is if I feel that their chattering is detrimental to their own healing. For regulars who like to chat, we chat. (After this long, we're probably past the nervousness thing, and it's probably just part of their therapy; visiting might be part of what they look forward to in a session.

With new clients who are quiet during the session or some personality types who might seem a little apprehensive or skeptical, I'll do some scant narration as well, just to explain (briefly, often using analogies or visuals they can relate to) what it is we're doing and the intent behind it. This way, they know what's being done, the intent behind the technique, and how it meets (or at least progresses toward) their goals for the session.

Hugs
~Jyoti