Setting Time Boundaries...Need Help!

[typical]

Hi everyone,

My healing practice is becoming busier and I've run into a problem I need help with.

The clients I have , or teach are wanting to talk A LOT before and after the session as well as by email or opn the phone. I realize this is a part of the session, and allow for 1/2 hour pre and post consultation time with a session.

But I'm getting people wanting to talk, emails and phone calls that are really beginning to drain my time not only for other clients, but for my personal life as well.

Suggestions on how to get this back into balance would be greatly appreciated. I'm usually very good with boundaries so I don't know how this snuck up on me. I suppose when I was not as busy, it was not so much an issue.

 

[Stardust]

Do you think you could start with getting just one client back on schedule, either the most draining or least draining client?

Or maybe have very specific "phone consult" hours when you are available to chat about things other than just making an appointment?

It's crazy how these things seem suddenly out of control, isn't it?

 

[Somebodyelse]

Is it new or established clients who are calling or e-mailing & want to talk?
You could take a survey and ask your clients if they feel that the 15 minute consultation time before and after session is adequate. (Total of 30 min.) Thus if most feel that they need more time you could change your schedule to reflect this.
What seems to be the reason they call or e-mail? Is it to clarify something you said during a session? Do you need to give them a "handout" that they can refer to? Perhaps a brochure full of the answers to FAQ? Or have a FAQ page on a website that they can refer to.
I'm for anything that can "streamline" your day... making you available for the work you want to do!

 

[Sarah <3]

Setting Time Boundaries...Need Help!

Hi everyone,

My healing practice is becoming busier and I've run into a problem I need help with.

The clients I have , or teach are wanting to talk A LOT before and after the session as well as by email or opn the phone. I realize this is a part of the session, and allow for 1/2 hour pre and post consultation time with a session.

But I'm getting people wanting to talk, emails and phone calls that are really beginning to drain my time not only for other clients, but for my personal life as well.

Suggestions on how to get this back into balance would be greatly appreciated. I'm usually very good with boundaries so I don't know how this snuck up on me. I suppose when I was not as busy, it was not so much an issue.

I completely understand your dilemma here Leener. I think the big issue that we as practitioners come across is that we are so giving of ourselves and this is true especially when we are as in touch with our clients as we can often get. The thing with boundaries is that they are difficult but my thought on this would be to defiantely do a question and answer brochure when the client initially comes in. I know for my practitioner at home, she sat with me for about 20 minutes before my session and about 15 or so after my first session because it was new. Being open with you clients regarding your time is good but, like you said, you need that time for you. I know that giving of ourselves is part of what we do but the boundaries with clients need to be respected by the clients in this situation as it is clear you know your emotional boundaries. Best of luck and Brightest Reiki Blessings.

holistichealer

 

[jessika721]

Thank you Thank you for your responses!!

I do give new clients a "welcome pack" that explains what goes on, after session care, etc.

What they want to do is kind of have a counseling session it seems, pick my brain, answer "life, the Universe and everything" kind of questions, you know what I mean?

This is happening with the newer clients and established clients. Not all, but those who di it are really sucking the time out of my life.

A Reiki friend said that I need to charge for my time and yes, I agree, but how do I handle this now that I've already let this happen, is my dilemma. Wording is important. I don't want to alienate or lose people. The idea of a survey sounds great!

Anyone have suggestions on how to word it, and also perhaps something I can add to the brochure pack that can clarify these time boundaries?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Bumping for more responses..I need some biggie help here. :

 

[starfire85]

deleted

 

[girlwithquestions]

So I guess I want to know -- what are they wanting to chat about for so long? Maybe we can be more help if we know that. Is it directly related to your massage treatments and their somatic symptoms?

 

[ed031639]

What they want to do is kind of have a counseling session it seems, pick my brain, answer "life, the Universe and everything" kind of questions, you know what I mean?

Depending on how the conversation is going, wouldn't this be out of your scope of practice? I'm not into energy work so I won't claim to know how things go with a session like that, but if they're bringing unrelated subjects into the discussion, maybe offer to refer them to a counselor, clergy, or other more appropriate practitioner? Try to stop the conversation as soon as it diverts from your scope of practice, and just say "you know, we've discussed these things before, but you seem to be looking for more than I can help you with - maybe there's someone else that could help answer your questions better..."

Hope that helps.

 

[GopBLissIgnorance]

Thanks for your suggestions.

This is not happening with my massage clients, but with my Reiki clients.

They want to ask about energy work, spirituality, what I felt during the session, how they can balance their lives in the energetic sense at home, work, relationships, basically how energy healing works on them specifically, all things I am experienced in as I've been doing it for almost 20 years, but these seekers (and bless them for it!) are really cutting into the schedule and my personal time.

 

[school]

Maybe you can start offering self-care coaching sessions, and charge for that time. That way, when people call with these sorts of questions, you can say, "Why don't we schedule a self-care session? We can talk about your goals and I can teach you some home-energy techniques to help you meet those goals. The price is $____ for a _____ (length) session."

 

[EDIMOMO]

Can any of these things be discussed during the session? Particulary the stuff they want to know about what you are picking up during the session, etc. Then the conversation can be going on while the work is in progress and the end of the session can be a few minutes of 'homework.' Like "Spending twenty minutes a day in silent meditation will help you find out the answers that your energy body already knows. Just quiet yourself and listen to your own wisdom, it's there."

 

[tjv189]

Hi everyone,

Just to update you, I have started with letting clients know if they need more time than the 1 1/2 alloted to them (1 hour on the table, 1/2 hour with consultation, I think that is more than fair amount of time given to them per session) , they have to book more "consultation time".

Today I had a client email me asking if she could book a session and also discuss how to use prayer and affirmations for her life, to help her make them up, etc.

I told her we could do that but we would need to book two sessions and be charged for 2 sessions. Needless to say, she backpedaled and said she would get the information over the internet.

Just goes to show you there are some people that will use your time and not value it as you do, or others do, if you don't set the boundaries.

I'm just trying now to come up with that "survey" to existing clients, but having trouble with the wording.

 

[BritneyM]

Thanks for the update, and congratulations on taking this step! t023

 

[Buddhist Objectivist]

Thanks for keeping us up to date, I'm enjoying the information in this thread, especially your experience with a client not wanting to pay for your time.

This struck me:

They want to ask about energy work, spirituality, what I felt during the session, how they can balance their lives in the energetic sense at home, work, relationships, basically how energy healing works on them specifically, all things I am experienced in

In addition to individual coaching, perhaps you could offer some classes. That would make it more affordable for each individual, and well worth your time as well. Win-win!

 

[Wockii]

Great advice, Josh!

Leener, you could hold some two hour workshops on energy work/spirituality etc. (with plenty of time for Q & A), advertise it to your clients and tell them to bring any friends who are interested. You could charge $15 or $20 per person (or whatever you are comfortable with) and thus be well-paid for your time.

I do this semi-regularly with Stress Workshops -- and it always brings in new clients, too.

Obviously you are very effective and have a great gift of communication or your clients wouldn't be asking for more and more knowledge in your area of expertise. I say go for it! As word spreads, you may actually find you have another source of income (which also brings in new clients) speaking for women's groups etc.

My 2 cents! Has worked well for me!

Sherry

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi!

Thanks so much for the support. And I'm glad this thread is helping others! I think healers have special challenges when it comes to time and money boundaries.

Okay, to get even more complicated.(hehe) I actually am already doing workshops and lectures and have for about 11 years now. Most of my clients and income come from doing them.But I've recently stepped up "my game" so to speak and I'm getting busier.

What will happen is I'll get a client from my workshops and classes, and they will want to sit and talk , ask me questions. I am also getting emails from the class participants wanting to talk more about the subject, like a class after a class. Mentoring stuff.

I realize they are seeking and want to learn from me, but I need to se time limits and boundaries. I also have to start charging for the time they are taking. I have people wanting to talk for an hour before they get on the table for energy work! :shock:

Recently, as you can see from the above, I have asked them if they want to book an additional hour and they don't. They don't want to pay for the additional mentoring it seems.

I'm still sitting with how to word an email or something that states if people want this sort of time with me they have to book and pay for that additional time without losing them as clients.

 

[jronnie22]

Recently, as you can see from the above, I have asked them if they want to book an additional hour and they don't. They don't want to pay for the additional mentoring it seems.

I'm still sitting with how to word an email or something that states if people want this sort of time with me they have to book and pay for that additional time without losing them as clients.

Leener, do you charge the same for the mentoring as you do for the energy work? Would it be reasonable to charge less for the mentoring? I don't have an opinion one way or the other. I was just thinking if you wanted to expand your business to include mentoring, charging less might be a way to entice clients to sign up.

Once you settle on a fee schedule for the mentoring, I suggest mentioning this information at the end of future classes. New clients are probably more willing to pay for this service, rather than people who are used to getting that service from you for free.

As far as the wording on the email, here's a draft:

"Hello friends & clients. Recently, I've been blessed with an increase in business. One side effect of such a blessing is that my time & energy reserves are being pushed to their limits. This means I need to plan my days accordingly, to be sure I can be energized and fully present for every client. Although I enjoy our conversations before & after energywork appointments, I now need to limit such conversations to 10 minutes before & after appointments. If you have questions that require longer conversations, I'm now offering mentoring sessions at $____ for a 30 minute session & $_____ for an hour session. If you would like to add a mentoring session to your next energywork appointment, please let me know."

 

[JadeMerik]

You so rock Bliss.

Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou.

This is perfect, and I think your suggestion about the mentoring session being a bit less is right on.

Again, thank you.

 

[TheOne]

I am also getting emails from the class participants wanting to talk more about the subject, like a class after a class. Mentoring stuff.

Hmm. Is it time to start training people as trainers? Maybe you've already done this. That seems to be the model I've seen most often. Then people who don't want to pay your fee are able to pay less to talk to someone trained by you, or take an "integration class" type thing a day or week after the main event.