Our Advice From the Pros series of blog posts will highlight one of the leaders in the massage and bodywork field once a week. Til Luchau is our featured expert this week. Luchau is lead instructor at Advanced-Trainings.com. With a diverse background that includes manual therapy, somatic psychology, transformative education, and management consulting, his ability to connect interdisciplinary, big-picture ideas to practical, real-world applications has made his articles, books, trainings, and videos popular worldwide.
The best thing I ever did to grow my practice is …
Til Luchau: I gave sessions to people who needed them. If I met someone who was stressed, hurting, or agitated, I’d give them some work, right then and there, or have them come in for a free session. They became my best advocates.
The key thing I wish I knew when I was starting out is …
Til Luchau: It’s the pleasure of doing the work itself that’s the real reward. About 15 years in, with a super “successful” practice, I realized I wasn’t having much fun. Now, after 33 years of practice, I’m enjoying it more than ever.
My definition of excellent customer service is …
Til Luchau: It’s the same in my private practice as in our trainings: it’s being good at interactions that clarify and serve our clients’ needs, longings, and desires, even if that means helping them find what they’re looking for somewhere else.
My business management advice for therapists is …
Til Luchau: Understand that you’re in business, even if you work for someone else. And “business” doesn’t have to clash with “healing.” Humans are the only creatures that have transactions with each other. Transactions done well (e.g., giving, receiving, exchanging, loaning, repaying, etc.) can interconnect our interest in a web of mutual care.
This blog was created from Massage & Bodywork’s July/August 2017 Business Side column "Advice from the Pros."
