Student losing faith - Help!!!

[sweetiefacek]

Dear all,

you are my last resort. I really need some help and support. I've almost made it through my Reflexology course. I'm more than half way thru my case studies. I've put my heart and soul into it all. And I don;t doubt my knowledge or my capacity to pass on great holisitc advice.

But I'm starting to lose all faith and understanding when it comes to complying with the boundaries as a Reflexologist. I am just so incredibly confused.

I'm always stuttering and feeling awkward when I want to pass on advice to my clients. Because of the protocol.

For example, if a client has chronic cystitis and bloating, and I've read about a great cranberry powder with combined probiotic, can I tell my client about it? Or would that mean I am stepping outside of my qualification? Am I not allowed? What do I do? I've been researching holistically for years and have so much great information that I want to share with my clients, but I always find myself feeling nervous before I speak because I don;t want to be accused of breaking the code of practice and posing as a dietitian/nutritionist/aromatherapist etc. For example:If I know that Bergamot essential oil in the bath can soothe inflammation of cystitis, then why can I just not tell my client that? Why should I tell them to go to an aromatherapist instead? Wouldn't that be a waste of valuable information, and also just add an extra financial burden onto my client, when I could tell them that for free?

I also get totally stuck when giving feedback to clients on reflex points out of balance. I just don't know how to word things in such a way as not to stress them out orworry them. I don;t feel we've had any guided practise on this during our course and that it's been left to our own discretion - but it's such an important part of the whole process. And it's also an area that could go horribly wrong in terms of being sued. I'm just so nervous about the whole thing that I'm starting to lock away all my advice, experience, observations, etc for fear of telling it wrong. I feel like I'm going mad and it's turning into some kind of phobia!

I'm someone who mostly has confidence as long as I know what I'm supposed to be doing. In this case I just need some help from others so that I can be sure I go about things in the right way.

Can anyone advise me and put me at some rest?

Thanks kind people.

Sole x

 

[HighHelper]

Hi Sole,

I know and understand how you feel. I did Itec and they want to make everything clinical, removing all the holistic thinking that we all enjoy.

Just do whatever you have to do to pass your exam. Then you can treat people as you like. Being sued etc is not something I can advise on, sorry.

Generally as I understand it, you should not speak to a client about particular illnesses. Try telling them that there is an imbalance in a particular area/region/organ and possibly consult a doctor.

Hope that helps,

Russell

 

[Walking with Prince Jesus]

Hello Sole

I think you sound like you will make a great therapist as you are obviously taking your qualification very seriously but also have a desire to help your clients.

You are correct that we shouldn't be giving dietary, nutrutional, etc advice without the relevant qualification. However most therapists do gather a lot of information that is useful to their clients and in my opinion there is no harm passing this on as long as you emphasise that you are not qualified in that area and that they should read up on it themselves/seek the advice of a qualified therapist. This way you have pointed them in the right direction, given them advice you feel will be useful but passing the responsibility on to them.

When you give advice like this make a note of what you have said to your client and that you advised them to seek professional advice and you are then covered as far as insurance goes.

As for talking to your clients about what you find on their feet, I feel it's best not to make this a major part of their treatment. I always tell my clients that it's not what you find on the feet that's important but how they feel after their treatments. If they are still interested to know I emphasise that what I have found are only indiccations of what may be out of balance in the body. It doesn't necessarily indicate illness. For example the kidneys may show up temporarily if there is dehydration from ahangover.

Good luck with finishing your course and becoming a successful therapist. I'm sure you will be!

Sarah x

 

[Jake R]

Wow, the power of this site never ceases to amaze me! Thank you so much to both of you for your speedy replies and support.

Sarah - you have tapped into my concerns so perfectly and offered me such wise and sensitive advice. It's exactly what I needed to hear to make me feel better.I get the feeling you must bea truely great therapist yourself. I will try and go down that route tomorrow when I see my client and see how I get on. I won't hold back on giving advice anymore - it makes me feel so stagnant and restricted in how far Ican help others. I will instead always follow it with a referrel as you mentioned, to cover me andmaintain my confidence.

I will nowtake a lovelywalk in thebeautiful damp air outside, breathe out all my tensions, and reflect onhow lovely and warm the world feelswhen you ask for help and someone reaches out their hand, like you have done.

Sparkling wishes coming your way!

Sole x

 

[jandy - Spanks the Yanks]

Sarah - just checked to see where you are based! Shame you're in hertfordshire - I'm in Surrey.

You know how it is sometimes when you have a great feeling about a person - I suddenly thought I'd love to have a treatment from you. But you're too far away.

I see you studied with AOR - me too. I'm with Louise Keet at London School of Reflexology. I thought it would be such a great school, but unfortunately the tutor is not approachable at all, and all the students try and help one another as they've given up asking for her advice. It's a shame.

Anyway, happy days,

Sole x

 

[Chad P]

Oh Honey - chill out. Sounds like you have the jitters about your exams and qualification.

As it has been said before, once you have your qualification then you can say and do pretty much what you want.

ITEC will try to get you to join their federation which I think is a take-on. They will throw loads of rules and regulations at you so that you can remain a member of their federation - IMHO they are after your money.

As far as getting sued is concerned. This is what your insurance will cover. That is what really gets my goat because there has been no successful cases brought against a genuine therapist and what could people actually sue you for?

I have been a legal secretary for 13 years. To bring a successful litergation case against you the client would have to prove that it was something that you did which has caused them life changing injuries or lose of earnings. Meanwhile your solicitor would fight (using your insurance money) that you could not possibly harm to that extent. Remember that your client does not have insurance so they would have to find the money to pay a solicitor to fight a futile case.

So as usual it is a case of solicitors making money!!!

Once you have your exam certificate then you start to use your intuition and your confidence will grow over time. Remember if you give advice to clients you are not bending their arm behind their back to use it - that would be their own choice. You seem pretty clued up on all types of alternatives so go for it and spread the word. And I think that it will be this knowledge which will keep your clients coming back.

Love and light

Tracy Ann

 

[Oh Oh Oh OMG]

Hi there,

I know what you mean - it is hard to stay within your boundaries - after all, we go into these areas of practice because we want to HELP people!

As a nearly qualified aromatherapist, could I suggest that you cultivate a tame one nearby? That way, you can suggest that Bergamot might be helpful, and that you know a great aromatherapist who could supply them the oil, or make a blend for their bath etc. That might at least stop them from going to buy High Street "Essential oils" (which are generally poor) or using the real thing in an unsafe way (Bergamot can cause nasty burns if someone is exposed to direct sunlight within 2 to 4 hours after application - you probably knew that). Speaking personally, I'd be more than happy to refer to a reflexologist to help my client.

On the vitamins and stuff, we're mostly treating adults, and if we're careful not to say "this is absolutely the right thing for you", you can probably say that you've heard about something or tried something.... If its a vitamin supplement, it should at least be safe, so the worst thing is it might not work....

Oh well. Don't think my ramblings have added much to this debate. Believe in yourself, though. You obviously care about those you treat, and that's worth a great deal.

Nellx

 

[Milli]

What lovely things to say! You are very welcome at my practice in Hitchin if you ever want to make the journey!

I did a weekend course with Louise Keet just after I qualified and I found her very professional so I'm sorry you haven't got on so well with your course. Remember that your practitioner course is only the beginning. You will have many opportunities once you have qualified to study with some amazing Reflexology tutors.

Sarah x

 

[utelloppict]

Dear Sole

Keep your chin up, you are nearly there! This is the hard part when you have to put all that you have learned together..... and there is a deadline with the examination process ahead. You will find that all your nerves, confusion and concerns melt into the background as soon as you are qualified. You have had good advice from previous replies. The AoR have to produce a guidelines so that people have something to work towards. Sometimes it can be confusing but remember that your knowledge is valuable and you can still encourage your client to find further information on things for themselves. You have a wealth of knowledge that you can build on and share in many different ways.

All this will be worth it when you are feeling confident and happy by helping your clients. Reflexology is such a rewarding career............ keep going. It is worth it! I know asI have been doing this for a very long time, and it keeps on getting better year after year!

Best wishes
Sue

 

[SnackeyG]

Hello there Sole

From your comments here, I think you have the makings of a wonderful and caring therapist so I hope all these comments here have helped to lift you up. The funny thing is that I found studying reflexology a bit like doing my driving test. I knew all my mirror signal manouevre drill and all those other things you have to squirrel away in your brain, but looking back I can see that I started the real learning after I'd done my course. When you have passed you are your own therapist and you can develop as you like, take the extra training that your like, specialise as you like, and it is very liberating and wonderful. So yes, do what you need to do and learn what you need to learn in order to pass. LK does provide a good standard of training (I trained with her and her brother) so I hope this reassures you. Remember, you're heading for a lifetime of learning but you will be calling the shots once you are qualified.

I am a tame reflexologist in Surrey, by the way

 

[r_b28]

Dear Sole

I just found this forum and so am a bit late - I hope you still are a member here.

I attended Louise Keet's Reflexology School and found her a brilliant teacher with lots of time for every student. When we started we were just a collection of individuals, but by the time we finished, we were a tightly-knit group of therapists.

I hope that you are now over your initial nerves and advising your clients with confidence - it does take quite a while to take on the persona of the healer.

Steve


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