Safety Issues for Therapists/Clients

[bouscubusem]

A lot of therapists are self employed and don't work in a centre, they either work from home or offer a mobile service. This is going to be an ideas thread - so if you have any strategies on personal safety whilst visiting a client, or therapist you can post here.

I'll kick off with one thing I do when I do a mobile treatment:-

I always write the name/address/home phone number of the person I visit and leave this with my partner.

Binah
xXx

 

[SoundOfACrescendo]

Hi Binah

I do the same thing, I also text or call my hubby just before knocking on the door, and we have an arrangement that I call or text him within half an hour of the end my appointment.

Any other ideas???
Lilypie

 

[xxjenxx]

That's a really good idea Lilypie. I have got more cautious over the years because I did have a bad experience going to visit someone when I advertised in a directory, which I no longer bother with as I got fed up with the guys who phoned up who didn't want a therapeutic massage.

If I'm working from home - and it's a client's first treatment and they have not been referred by an existing client, I make sure that there is someone in the home - I don't mind a bit of banging around before I start the treatment.

Keep em coming!!

Binah
xXx

 

[Clydeweelay]

...... isn't this what we are trying to avoid???

 

[fiebhuipisnifxefq]

Another definition of it in my home as OH does a lot of DIY.

A Freudian slip methinks

Binah
xXx

 

[Ron Burgundy]

i thought most therapists wear a little bit more than that !

 

[SillySally]

It is a difficult one, my therapy room is fine during the day but usually on an evening there is very few people if anyone else around, and I am slightly concerned re the safety aspect even though generally clients are fine.

 

[mejaki]

I arrange many appointments through email, but if I have to visit a client at home (e.g. if their presenting problem is agoraphobia and they are unable to go out), I will always speak with them over the phone - I do trust my intuition in being able to distinguish a genuine person in distress from someone who has a hidden agenda, there are many non-verbal signs that can be picked up from a person's voice and intonation. And I will leave the details of the address I am visiting with my partner.

I must say that in six years of work within the criminal justice system, often with people who have been convicted for a variety of violent offences, I have never felt unsafe or threatened by a client - which I can't say of some of the colleagues I've worked with

Masha