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AlphaMusic1
Overcoming Fear in the Client - Music to induce relaxation and healing
Victoria Cooper, Colon Hydrotherapist and Healer

Every therapist has had a client arrive in a nervous state: either they are afraid of the treatment itself or the therapist; that something in them will be uncovered to their embarrassment; or some other nameless fear.
As a colon hydrotherapist, I am very keenly aware of this. Often, those seeking to have a colonic have heard urban myths that have prevented them booking in for a couple of years, or they may have built up an image in their mind as to what will occur that has no reference to reality, but to them it is all too real. They are mustering up a great deal of courage in coming to the clinic.

This is evidenced by their telling me outright of their nervousness or in many other ways: the body can reveal it in their blood pressure, they can be shy in answering questions relating to their medical history during the consultation, even wandering outside several times to make mobile calls for support from others prior to engaging with the process. Sometimes, just a fleeting expression reveals their trepidation, or apologising for not having shaved their legs, done pedicures, etc.

Colonics, dentistry, Rolfing, hypnotherapy - anything accessing the body/mind – all these and many more have the potential to stir fear in the client’s heart for whatever reason, to a greater or a lesser extent. And yet, to get the best out of the treatment, it is better that they are relaxed and confident, comfortable in relaying information to us that we, as therapists, need.

So what can we therapists do to alleviate this situation? Obviously, we have to attune to the client. In many cases, this occurs naturally as we greet them to invite them into our treatment spaces. We watch the way they move: hesitancy or ease, bravado masquerading as confidence, or a quiet self-assurance – we absorb this information almost without thinking about it, to become aware of the signals of fear.
The less obvious instances are harder. In my experience, it is best to treat all new clients as being terrified unless and until it is clear they are not. To deal with this without being patronising or stepping on toes is a subtle thing. I have found it useful to make the treatment space a zone of emotional comfort through very low-key, verbal and non-verbal methods.

Firstly - and this sounds obvious but is still worth mentioning - it must be tidy. Clients tend to have little confidence in a space that looks out of control.

Secondly, telling them with assurance that nervousness is okay, and that this space is safe for them is also helpful.

Thirdly, try playing brain-entrainment CDs on a lowish volume. Without their realising it, clients are then bathed in an atmosphere of calm from the second they step into the room. The response is immediate.
A lot of research has gone into this area and there are several such creators of this type of music. Specifically, they relate to areas such as healing, creativity, regeneration and the like via brainwave entrainment to such functional levels as Alpha, Beta, etc. This is an invaluable resource for those therapies where playing music is appropriate. You can try AlphaMusic by John Levine and the series from The Relaxation Company, composed by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. Also included in this category, but on the more expensive side, is the series of medical music CDs composed by Peter Huebner known as Digipharm. These work by a different, ancient technology of Pythagorean principles of harmony and again, have been clinically proven to be powerfully effective for a variety of conditions, including stress and fear. Headphones are required for this latter product. This whole group of CDs are relaxing for the therapist, too (an often under-noted necessity). Even with urban background noise of sirens, pneumatic drills, etc., they still work.
Using aromatherapy oils also creates a calming environment, either through dabbing oils on the couch linens, or by utilising various types of diffuser. Lavender, particularly, is a good one for instigating a relaxed response.

Fourthly, I have found it useful to explain every step of what will occur in that allocated time to a client; the fear of the unknown is diluted somewhat once they understand what the treatment entails and more specifically, what will happen to them in that particular session and perhaps afterwards, e.g. what results they can expect and in what time frame.
An unspoken fear for some is that if they ask questions because they haven’t a clue as to what will go on and how it all works, they will seem stupid. It is worth remembering that many clients are completely dissociated from their bodies which is right where the presenting symptoms started. Assuring them that any question is valid, even before they have asked, encourages them to bring their issues out into the open and more importantly, engages them in a position of two-way communication, not just having x, y or z ‘done’ to them.

Of course, not all clients are scared. But for those who are, these techniques can go a long way to reach out beyond the shell of fear and bring them to a calm, restorative and relaxed state for best results from the therapy you offer.

Victoria Cooper, Colon Hydrotherapist and Healer
c/o The Hale Clinic, 7 Park Crescent, London W1B 1PF Tel: 020 7631 0156