Preparing for your Treatment and Experience at Soul Space!

I thought this month I would explain the daily tasks involved in setting up ready for my lovely clients treatments, so you know what you can expect when you come for a session, and how I ensure that you feel warm, welcomed and safe to relax and unwind. To just be yourself, in a peaceful, non-judgemental space, where your wellbeing and comfort is the most important thing.

Room Set Up

I always arrive at clinic an hour prior to my first clients arrival, to allow plenty of time to set up. The first job is to pop the lovely tealights on to charge. Then I turn my mini fridge up to the high setting to pop my lunch in for later! Then the underfloor heating goes on for the bathroom, along with the main heater (plus extra heater if we need it), and the heated underblanket on the treatment couch too, to ensure maximum comfort and warmth all round! If my first client is booked in for a Hot Stones treatment, then I have to arrive 3 hours before the session, in order to have these at the right temperature!

The treatment couch is then set up with a fresh warm cover and couch roll, and a soft set of fresh towels is placed on the head end, ready for my first client. Two large towels go into the tumble dryer 8 minutes before they arrive, so they are lovely and toasty, ready to lay on top of the client for that initial ‘aahh’ deep breath moment when they first lie down!

A lovely soft pillow with a fresh pillowcase is laid ready to go under their legs to support their lower back. Soft covers are put onto the head supports and bolster cushion.

I fill my water dispenser with mineral water, and I make sure there’s enough cups out for the day. I make sure the toilet is clean, and that there is ample toilet roll, tissues, sanitary towels, hand towels and hand soap available, and that the bathroom bin is clean and empty.

The charged tealights then get put around the treatment room and the bathroom to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere, then I pop my phone on silent with relaxing music on – and now (after a quick coffee and washing my hands!) – I’m ready to welcome my first wonderful client of the day.

On Arrival

When a client arrives they park up in our beautiful Courtyard. We spend a few minutes catching up, so I can find out how they are physically and emotionally. I offer them water and the bathroom if required. We then work out the treatment objective for the session that day, and select 3-4 Essential Oils together that meet that need, and they are added to the Base Oil Bottle.

If the client is new, then we spend around 10 minutes completing a Healthcare Consultation Form together first, to ensure that massage is safe for them, and to establish what they require from their treatment – and what brought them to book in with me. I always pop the ‘Treatment in Progress, Do Not Disturb’ sign on my front step, so in the unlikely event there is anyone around outside, they know I am busy with a lovely client!

Treatments are always individually tailored to suit your needs. I can work just on the areas of the body that need the most attention if required, although I usually provide a fully body treatment for most clients. I generally start with the client laying on their back, face up, and I work on the legs first, moving up to the arms, the upper shoulders and upper chest areas, then the neck, head and face, and finally the abdomen if required. Then the client turns over, and I treat the back of the legs, then give a lovely back massage to finish the session. We have to occasionally change how we work if a client is pregnant, or is not able to lie a certain way. I will always ensure that you are comfortable, and adapt accordingly.

All of my treatments incorporate various techniques that I have learnt in over 23 years of being a therapist. Depending what you need, these may include some Thai and Thai Foot techniques, Acupressure points, Indian Head movements, Reflexology, Lymphatic Drainage and Facial techniques, as well as the more common Swedish and Holistic Aromatherapy Massage movements.

I instinctively work with the body, taking information from your consultation, but also what I can feel in the body when working on you, to ensure the greatest benefit to you on the day of your session. The more regularly you come, the more I get to know what you need, and the more valuable the treatments become too.

End of the Session

Once I have completed the massage treatment, I do final stretches on the client, then let them know quietly that I have finished, and am off to wash my hands. I always ask them not to rush, and to wait for me to come back, and that I will then get them water.

When I come back in the room from the bathroom, I get the clients some fresh water and write the Essential Oils we selected on a bottle label, then give them the remaining blend, to take home for use on the face and/or body, or to use in a lovely warm bath.

The clients get dressed, drink their water, then we have a little chat about how they feel, and what the rest of their day and week look like. If I have any aftercare advice for them I share that, and if required (if they are not one of my monthly Wellbeing Account clients) we book their next session in.

Between Clients

I always leave at least 15, but usually 30 minutes between my clients, to ensure a relaxed experience for both them and myself. No one wants to be rushed in a treatment situation, and I know I can give better care if I’m not stressed too! I always say to my clients ‘there is enough rushing out there’ – meaning that the treatment room is not a place or experience to be hurried. Obviously if a client is really late, I may need to shorten their treatment time a little, but I generally find that with the generous gaps I give, that rarely happens.

Between clients I also open the treatment room door, to bring fresh air in, and I bag up all the towels used, and reset the couch with new couch roll and towels. I check the bathroom and toilet are still clean, and empty the bin if used by the last client. I put two fresh large towels into the tumble dryer reading for warming, and get new base oil bottles out ready. If the last client has brought anything in on their shoes, I have another quick hoover or use a floor wipe to clean up, and I throw away their water cup.

When everything is ready for the next client, I check my phone for any missed calls or messages, and always prioritise client contacts, trying to reply as soon as possible to any enquiries.

In between clients I also have some food, water and coffee, and do some stretches and sometimes breathing exercises myself to keep myself relaxed, and to keep my energy up! I freshen myself up, have a wee and wash my hands, and then I am ready for the next client!

Larger Gaps Between Clients

If and when I get any larger gaps between clients, I usually use this time to look up any medical information or other therapists/treatments/supplements that might assist them. In addition, I may plan any local marketing, write my monthly blog, look into new training courses, or just catch up on any admin and accounts work that needs doing!

If the weather is good, sometimes I get out for a short walk to get some fresh air, or to hand-deliver some of my promotional postcards!

Closing the Clinic

Tealights are all turned off, and returned to their charging station. Heaters and underfloor heating are all turned off, and the treatment couch is stripped of all covers and towels. Other fairy lights are turned off, and my fridge and main heater are both switched to a low setting for overnight.

Both bins are emptied and new liners popped in for the next day, and I change the date on my desk calendar. Base bottles are put on the side ready for the following days first client, and any leftover water is emptied, and the dispenser is cleaned out. I water my indoor and outdoor plants if needed, turn off the main light, lock the door and head off home.

When I Get Home

I have clients until 9pm Mondays – Thursdays, so the very first thing I do when I get home around 9.30pm is to put the first of two large 60 degree washes on, for all the towels used that day - and by half past midnight to 1am – both loads are all dry and bagged up again for the next day, and then I can go to bed!

End of Each Week

On the last day of the working clinic week, I do a quick stocktake to see which Essential Oils are getting low, and to be sure I still have plenty of toilet roll, couch rolls, tissues and mineral water available.

I check to see how many Base Oil bottles I have left, and how many Healthcare Consultation Forms (which I need for any new clients). I check my bottle labels to make sure I have enough for the coming week, and work out if I need to make up any more Treatment Gift Vouchers (if any were sold that week), in case anyone would like to purchase one as a gift for a loved one.

So in summary – there is a lot involved in running a clinic – and I love it!

Why Soul Space?

At Soul Space, your comfort, privacy and safety are of the greatest importance. I want your time with me to be warm, welcoming and supportive. A place where you can just be yourself and reflect on how you are feeling. A place where your individual needs come first, and every possible effort is made to ensure you feel well looked after and nurtured.