I was a full time bodyworker for around twenty years. I have run practices in various locations throughout Great Britain and Europe. I have also taught probably hundreds of students over the years, people who I felt were proficient, sensitive and professional bodyworkers. So why do so few make it as full time therapists?….
Many associations and societies exist to help and support practitioners throughout their career, but how many of them really know what is needed to make it as a full-time bodyworker? I mean full time here, not for pocket money. You didn’t spend thousands of pounds/dollars/hours to just play at the fringes. We all need to be able to earn a respectable wage doing something that is hard, often exhausting but ultimately one of the most rewarding things someone can do.
As they say in the L’Oreal ads, “Because you’re worth it”!!
“So why attachment vs. commitment?” Well, here are my definitions of the two.
Attachment: A dangerous thing. When we become attached, we invest everything we’ve got in outcomes. Every single conversation or transaction between potential and actual clients holds us in it’s grip. We lose sense of our worth and the quality of what we offer. This will show as a quite desparation, envy, competitiveness and a deep sense of insecurity. Some people may sense this and walk away, others may be drawn to you for that reason. These are not good therapeutic or professional relationships. Either way, attachment will drain you, it will tire you and eventually it will erode your sense of worth and commitment to your life path.
Commitment: You need this; it’s what got you through the most difficult times when you were training. The dead ends, the late nights, the irritated spouses and fed up kids etc. You’ve shown that you have it. So now you’ve got the piece of paper, don’t lose it (not the paper, the commitment!). What drove you through the difficult times? Your belief in the power you had discovered in your chosen therapy. But there is good news.
Commitment is a renewable resource. Your commitment to yourself and the quality of what you offer to the world and what you are capable of is the fuel for growing your practice.
One word of warning though, don’t hide in the “Isn’t this stuff wonderful!” crowd. Get your support networks going, rejuvenate your commitment in whatever way you can. But be prepared to take yourself out into the world with it. You will be ignored and criticised, but countless people will have many reasons to be glad that youwere there to help them and that is the greatest reward of all.