“just undress to your comfort level”
ever said this?
I have.
Let’s talk about why this gives zero guidance + look at a better way to have this conversation.
At some point, a new client will ask how much clothing to take off/leave on to receive massage. If you're like me, you were taught to respond, “just undress to your comfort level.”
What does that even mean??
For a new client that is obviously unsure about what's going on…it gives zero guidance. And it plays with the power dynamic of us being the authority and telling the client what to do, instead of having a conversation.
It may seem obvious to us, but we have no idea what a clients' preconceived ideas about massage are and what they're expecting when they walk in. And comfort levels can vary greatly depending on the situation.
So, let's be transparent about our guidelines & what to expect.
If you practice modalities that require clients to be undressed in order to do your best work - state that upfront. Don't assume they know.
“The modalities and techniques I use require clients to be fully undressed (underwear is ok to leave on). Draping is required, and you'll never be exposed…”
If you practice modalities that require clients to be dressed in athletic, loose fit clothing:
“The modalities and techniques I use are best when you are full dressed. Please wear loose, athletic style clothing when coming in for your appointment…"
💡Add copy like this to your website, confirmation emails, massage appointment reminders. Don't assume. The more information we provide clients the more successful we'll be in creating an honest, respectful partnership.
So, what to say in session?
“Let's walk through what the session is going to look like…"
then
“Now that you have a better idea of what the session is going to look like, are you comfortable undressing so that the areas you mentioned, like your calves and upper back, can be worked on? If not, we’ll run through what we can do with clothing on or over the sheet.”
This can require a bit of nuance and active listening. Picking up on slight hesitations and encouraging more conversations. Remember, we don't want to tell our clients what is going to be comfortable for them, we want to facilitate conversations in order to learn.
