a community of practitioners

Beginning!

I know when I started out I had all sorts of questions. School was like basic training. I got a taste of some things but I wanted more and I wanted it fast. There was the test to get through and then building the four room center and then the eight room center. There was advertising, ladies day retreats, free give aways and so much more....

But let's ask the new therapists their questions... fire away!!!!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Colleen Smith, L.M.P. on February 1, 2010 at 3:49pm

I am actually a little bit frustrated right now. I graduated last March, got licensed over the summer and started working at a spa close to my home the end of september. I couldn't believe how poorly I was treated and ended up walking out last week. Now, I am getting massage therapy twice a week because of the tension in my cervical back, shoulders and neck. I knew from the start that I wanted to be involved more with treatment than with spa work but, thought this would be a good jumping off point to get a little more experience. I definitely got some experience but, not the kind I wanted. I don't think that anyone can truly prepare you for actually getting out in the job market and finding your niche. I guess I realize that I now know enough to feel like I don't really know anything and I am not quite sure where to go from here. I don't really even know what to ask or what I want/need to know....

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on February 1, 2010 at 5:26pm

Hi Colleen.

Okay.... take a breath. How can I help? You are looking for work now? I see you are already a member of the WA group here on-site. That's good! Have you sent a group email to them asking about work in their areas? Niches take time and you've only been in about a year. It is hard when starting anything new. Don't get down-hearted!

Let me know specifically where you need help. There are almost 4800 of us here. We can surely find the answers, with your help!

Colleen Smith, L.M.P. said:

I am actually a little bit frustrated right now. I graduated last March, got licensed over the summer and started working at a spa close to my home the end of september. I couldn't believe how poorly I was treated and ended up walking out last week. Now, I am getting massage therapy twice a week because of the tension in my cervical back, shoulders and neck. I knew from the start that I wanted to be involved more with treatment than with spa work but, thought this would be a good jumping off point to get a little more experience. I definitely got some experience but, not the kind I wanted. I don't think that anyone can truly prepare you for actually getting out in the job market and finding your niche. I guess I realize that I now know enough to feel like I don't really know anything and I am not quite sure where to go from here. I don't really even know what to ask or what I want/need to know....

Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on February 1, 2010 at 7:00pm

Colleen I had the exact same experience where I began. If it was not for the Owner who was very far and listened as best he could the manager who was very greedy would have sent me packing in a heart beat and wanted to and tried on many occasions. I did not let her do it to me. I stuck it out. I chalked it up as a great learning experience.

Now I am working for Massage Envy parttime 4 days a week 19 hours and love it. Been working for them since May while I build a private practice.

Permalink Reply by Molly Dragland on April 14, 2010 at 7:44am

Colleen,
I know exactly how you feel, as I am going through the exact same thing as we speak. The only thing preventing me from walking out is the fact that I need to pay my rent. Im trying to find something else, but I am at a loss. I know that i dont want to work at another spa. do you have any advise?

Colleen Smith, L.M.P. said:

I am actually a little bit frustrated right now. I graduated last March, got licensed over the summer and started working at a spa close to my home the end of september. I couldn't believe how poorly I was treated and ended up walking out last week. Now, I am getting massage therapy twice a week because of the tension in my cervical back, shoulders and neck. I knew from the start that I wanted to be involved more with treatment than with spa work but, thought this would be a good jumping off point to get a little more experience. I definitely got some experience but, not the kind I wanted. I don't think that anyone can truly prepare you for actually getting out in the job market and finding your niche. I guess I realize that I now know enough to feel like I don't really know anything and I am not quite sure where to go from here. I don't really even know what to ask or what I want/need to know....

Permalink Reply by Colleen Smith, L.M.P. on April 28, 2010 at 10:01pm

So, I am feeling a lot less frustrated right now. I have found a chiropractor to work with. It seems to be going fairly well. It is a new practice so I don't have a lot of clients, yet. But, he doesn't expect me to hang around the office when I don't have any clients. I just come in for my appointments and leave when I am done. The receptionist calls me when she makes an appointment on my schedule. I really lucked out with this situation. I feel like I am learning a lot and could build this situation into something very profitable. The only downside is that I am not working very much-I am super lucky to have a husband that is supporting me in this as we are living on a tight budget these days. But I can see that my hard work could really pay off in the future.

Molly Dragland said:

Colleen,
I know exactly how you feel, as I am going through the exact same thing as we speak. The only thing preventing me from walking out is the fact that I need to pay my rent. Im trying to find something else, but I am at a loss. I know that i dont want to work at another spa. do you have any advise?

Colleen Smith, L.M.P. said:
I am actually a little bit frustrated right now. I graduated last March, got licensed over the summer and started working at a spa close to my home the end of september. I couldn't believe how poorly I was treated and ended up walking out last week. Now, I am getting massage therapy twice a week because of the tension in my cervical back, shoulders and neck. I knew from the start that I wanted to be involved more with treatment than with spa work but, thought this would be a good jumping off point to get a little more experience. I definitely got some experience but, not the kind I wanted. I don't think that anyone can truly prepare you for actually getting out in the job market and finding your niche. I guess I realize that I now know enough to feel like I don't really know anything and I am not quite sure where to go from here. I don't really even know what to ask or what I want/need to know....

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on April 28, 2010 at 10:18pm

Way to go Colleen! I am glad things are looking up. Keep the faith!

Colleen Smith, L.M.P. said:

So, I am feeling a lot less frustrated right now. I have found a chiropractor to work with. It seems to be going fairly well. It is a new practice so I don't have a lot of clients, yet. But, he doesn't expect me to hang around the office when I don't have any clients. I just come in for my appointments and leave when I am done. The receptionist calls me when she makes an appointment on my schedule. I really lucked out with this situation. I feel like I am learning a lot and could build this situation into something very profitable. The only downside is that I am not working very much-I am super lucky to have a husband that is supporting me in this as we are living on a tight budget these days. But I can see that my hard work could really pay off in the future.

Molly Dragland said:
Colleen,
I know exactly how you feel, as I am going through the exact same thing as we speak. The only thing preventing me from walking out is the fact that I need to pay my rent. Im trying to find something else, but I am at a loss. I know that i dont want to work at another spa. do you have any advise?

Colleen Smith, L.M.P. said:
I am actually a little bit frustrated right now. I graduated last March, got licensed over the summer and started working at a spa close to my home the end of september. I couldn't believe how poorly I was treated and ended up walking out last week. Now, I am getting massage therapy twice a week because of the tension in my cervical back, shoulders and neck. I knew from the start that I wanted to be involved more with treatment than with spa work but, thought this would be a good jumping off point to get a little more experience. I definitely got some experience but, not the kind I wanted. I don't think that anyone can truly prepare you for actually getting out in the job market and finding your niche. I guess I realize that I now know enough to feel like I don't really know anything and I am not quite sure where to go from here. I don't really even know what to ask or what I want/need to know....