Massage & Bodywork

November/December 2011

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whether the internship is arranged through a massage school or college. Local labor laws must also be taken into account. In some cases, the intern will not need to be paid other than receiving some type of credit for the course. Specific assignments are sometimes given, with grading conducted by the supervising therapist. If the internship candidate is independent of such a program and is perhaps looking to become a therapist on your staff, the rules may be quite different. Either way, you are providing valuable work experience and gaining affordable assistance in your business. Become a peer counselor for established professionals. From time to time, most therapists need guidance of some kind or another. Often these folks will turn to someone they know or respect for help. I gladly help other therapists in any way I can, provided I have not had a particularly negative experience with that person in the past. By helping others in our profession, we strengthen the whole. VOLUNTEERING AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Giving back to our communities is an amazing way to gain credibility for us as individuals, as well as for the entire massage profession. While you can certainly volunteer on your own, being a part of a volunteer group can be beneficial as well. One example from my own career was a massage-a-thon that I organized to raise money for a local charity. I called upon all of my local trade partners and colleagues to each provide one or two hours of massage at this two-day event. With event dates scheduled for April 15–16, we promoted it to local accounting firms and got television and Giving back to our communities is an amazing way to gain credibility for us as individuals, as well as for the massage profession as a whole. newspaper coverage for the event. As a bonus, many of the therapists who participated got a new client or two. There are countless other ways to give back while getting to know others: Sign up to provide postevent massages for local sporting events. These events always need therapists and provide a unique way to bond with your colleagues. It's also a nice treat for hardworking athletes, and a lot of fun for everyone who participates. Coordinate a team to provide a low- to no-cost massage day. Consider putting a group of colleagues together to serve cancer patients or survivors once a month. This can be in your office, a spa, or even a cancer- treatment facility. Be creative and find a compassionate way to help these folks or others experience the healing powers of massage, while you create unity and a real sense of purpose with your team. Do cooperative advertising with other area therapists to promote massage awareness. Be a part of one of the various events available to promote awareness of massage therapy and related services, such as Spa Week, National Stress Awareness Month, or EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week. This helps everyone by saving money, gaining new clients, and educating the public about massage. Get involved with professional boards, associations, organizations, and events. There are countless opportunities here, but one of note is the Sanctuary, sponsored by Massage Warehouse. This "spa area" is on-site at many of the conferences where Massage Warehouse has a presence. Practitioners are always needed and it connects you to both the professionals you touch and the charity designated by the Sanctuary. No matter which avenues you choose or how you decide to support your colleagues and competitors, I encourage you to get involved in cooperative competition. The investment can result in more clients and income, great friendships, a stronger profession, and a truly invaluable, career-long payoff. consultant. She is a contributing author in the Thank God I ... book series, volume 3, released in October (www.thankgodi.com). Contact her through www.spalutions.com. Felicia Brown is an author, educator, and tune in to your practice at ABMPtv 61

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