betweeen clients!!

[Pompal 09.]

In order to do a full consultation and give your client the most respect, how much time do therapists think is necessary in-between clients? this is an ongoing problem for me and i am just seeing what other therapists are doing.

 

[RayHere]

I think 15min between the client walking out the door and the next client walking in the door is OK, it's just that how quickly the client walks out the door that can make it a challenge. I don't think 15min is enough time between the end of the massage with the client still on the table and the start of the next client's massage, particularly if you zonk clients out (I had trouble getting a first time hot stone client out yesterday, even after she was dressed she couldn't string a sentence together and kept mumbling "WOW, that was amazing, I feel so heavy, so relaxed, so light, I never knew! ...." I wouldn't have been able to get her out quickly if I wanted to)

 

[Tatianna.]

I have to agree with Melb, it's not quite enough time in many instances. Is it doable? Sometimes... if you've trained your clients well. But it's easier on the therapist if there's 30 minutes between clients. And if you're hurrying your client out of your office... chances are that lovely relaxed feeling will disappear pretty quickly! :

 

[kiwikid]

:iagree:

15 mins once the initial client has left could be enough time. 30mins to allow for rescheduling, possible questions, resetting of table, and a possible early arrival.

Working for the DC I was lucky to have 5 mins between. Now working for myself, I give at least a half hour.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I book on the hour, time is money, you waste to much time if you have half an hour or even fifteen minutes in between. I over service my clients and this can all be done within the hour...people also feel special if someone else is waiting for you...the whole busy therapist thing!!

 

[ren e]

I didn't vote in the poll, because I think 15 minutes between clients works for some therapists, but I personally prefer to leave more time than that in my own practice. Here's a thread from earlier this year on the same topic:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5727&highlight=

 

[zoetodman]

I am actually talking about while still in clinics. My school is having a hard time deciding how much time to give our students inbetween clients. i think that when you are still learning, a half hour should be minimal...

 

[Debie2000]

I am actually talking about while still in clinics. My school is having a hard time deciding how much time to give our students inbetween clients. i think that when you are still learning, a half hour should be minimal...

Actually, when I was in school, we did 50 minute massages, scheduled every hour. There were a limited number of treatment rooms, and a large number of students. This was necessary for us all to get our clinic hours done. I also thought it was good experience to learn how to give a 50 minute full-body massage, in case someone got a job where this was required. When I graduated & went into private practice, I gave myself 30 min. minimum between appts. (Now, I have my own office that's so peaceful & beautiful that I take an hour between appointments, just to have time for me!)

 

[yummymummy2be]

on the hour appointments in clinic, with 50min massage time is plenty, unless the students are taking the money and rebooking. It's good to see how some real world places run, and that is how a lot of non-private practice places work.

 

[rain]

Sometimes 15 minutes is enough, and sometimes it isnt.

At my current location I am all in one. One room with all my stuff in it. I can take payment, book the next appointment, change the table and chat with a client after the session in one room. The client doesnt leave the room immedeatly after the session. They stay in the room and I re-enter and take care of rebooking and payment. Most of this I can do at the same time as chatting with a client. So, 15 minutes does work.

It is nice to have a short break between clients because the day goes by faster. However, there are times I wish I had a leeetle more time between cients. More than 3 clients with only 15 minutes inbetween gets hairy. 15 minutes leaves little time for bathroom breaks and eating on top of changing linens, rebooking, payment, soap notes, etc...

However, when I move I will have a larger area to work in. Clients will come out of the massage room after a session. Payment will happen in a different area than where the massage takes place. So, if I have a chatty client and not a lot of time after, I could be in a pickle. I figure I will do my best to have 30 minutes between clients no matter what. Worst case senario, I can tell clients to come back with me as I do my change overs. Perhaps tho, they will leave sooner since they are closer to the door.

 

[IWillWaterBoardScottWhite]

I am actually talking about while still in clinics. My school is having a hard time deciding how much time to give our students inbetween clients. i think that when you are still learning, a half hour should be minimal...

We were required to do four massages per day in clinic. These were scheduled for us starting at 8 AM. Massages were allowed to be 60 minutes long and we had 45 minutes break between clients.
The 45 minutes between clients allowed for an "exit evaluation" by the client and time for students to process with the advisors any issues that came up during the massage.

 

[Emmelyn]

Our typical afternoon clinc shift started at 1: 00 with first client at 1:30. Next client at 3:00. That gave enough time for full PA before and time after to teach stretchs etc. We did take care of the money too.

 

[Dani D]

At our school, we were given 1 hour and 15 minutes between clients. The hour encompassed a 10-15 minute interview before, approx. 40 minutes on the table and the balance of the hour for an exit interview. The 15 minutes beyond that was for changing linens, making sure we had everthing set for the next client, water or bathroom break etc.

In my real-life practice, I allow a minimum of 30 minutes. This allows the client to get off the table and clear their heads for a few minutes, chat about the session and reschedule before leaving. I hate feeling like I need to push people out the door right after. It feels unfriendly and unsettling for me.

 

[Metropolisforever]

At our school, we were given 1 hour and 15 minutes for each client. The hour encompassed a 10-15 minute interview before, approx. 40 minutes on the table and the balance of the hour for an exit interview. The 15 minutes beyond that was for changing linens, making sure we had everthing set for the next client, water or bathroom break etc.

In my real-life practice, I leave a minimum of 30 minutes. This allows the client to get off the table and clear their heads for a few minutes, dress, chat about the session and reschedule before leaving. I hate feeling like I need to push people out the door right after. It feels unfriendly to them and unsettling for me.

 

[Chuckles]

In clinic we only had 1 client per day due to time constraints. Out in reality, if I am working at a location where there is someone else taking care of things for me, I need 15 minutes. But if I am in my own office, and I am doing everything I prefer 30 minutes. That way I have enough time for myself, as well as the clients needs.

 

[Guardian angel]

During my clinics, we gave a 75 min massage w/15 minutes b/t clients and a maximum of 3 clients in a row. Our clinic time was limited to a few evenings a week because my school was very small and had to convert classrooms to clinic rooms (pull the curtains, set up tables, etc.). It felt rushed to me, but it kept us focused. Now, in my own practice, I try to give myself at least 30 minutes b/t clients, but, as everyone knows, somedays just flow on their own no matter how hard I try to control them

 

[Nomadic Exile]

this new spa im working at has been slamming with 5-8 clients in a row without a break, it's 50min per massage, but when your done getting them water and change sheets and wash hands it's NEXT! i emailed a letter today letting them know my beliefs in water, stretching a snack ect. a few fresh breaths which is at least 15min breaks between 3 people and 45min after 5 people. im 5ft tall they excpedt miracles out of this little lady. doubt it! the hands are hurting the red alert sign is up and i had to let them know that. they have no breaks really. which is rude and down right inconciderate.

 

[Carla R]

Fortunately I have my own private practice and can allow myself 30 minutes between clients, and an hour or so for lunch. But of course working out of the home means I tend to try & get other things done during my break times. Its been so long since my massage school days, (17 + yrs.)I'm not sure I remember how much time we had between people, probably 15 to 20 minutes at most, I think.

I do find that having the space between clients gives me a few moments to setup the office for the next person, plus time to stretch & get fully centered so that I'm ready to be fully present for the next session.

Puamaeole,
I hope you can find another spa where they treat you like the valuable therapist you are, rather than a machine. You'll be burned out or injured if you try to keep up with their demands ! If they won't take care of you than make sure you do !

 

[As hatred sinks in]

youre right river, i emailed management and today my right wrist was hurting, i got scared because i need it to work, im going to wrap it up and try to heal it, they would run me to the ground and not think nothing of it. today i had a 30min break and the owner came in and beggeed me to do a foot massage for 15min. on this woman, i could not believe it. and of course i did (sucker) this does have to stop im giving it till next week for them to lighten the load and more days off! it originally started with just 2 days a wk and 4hrs. a day. phew! how things change so quickly!

 

[Eternity]

If at all possible, if they won't honor your break time, go out of the building for breaks...Take a walk & have a few minutes to drink some water & sit under a tree...whatever it takes.

Besides that, start putting out those resumes. You can't afford to be side-lined by injuries! It seems all they're are
interested in is their own bottom line...

Hope the wrist feels better soon.
Take care of it and get some work done on youself.