Home visits

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on September 27, 2009 at 11:24am

I have always, made a point of not diong home visits..
Particularly with people who say they need one.
Like agoraphobics, for instance.

There are lot of things against it,

Although I am sure that others will find a lot of things for it too.

In your own space, (or a neutral space),
you have a good deal of say in how the session goes, and just how long the session is.
In some one else's space,
you first of all have to find the place,
go in and be a guest in someone elses home,
and try not to be rude,
whilst still sticking to the matter in hand.
It is fraught with difficulties,
including, dogs, cats, children, spouses, neighbours, friends,
all wanting to get in on the act.

not having the ideal setting that you would set up in a consulting room.
and the simple fact that
you are the guest in someone elses space,
profoundly alters the dynamic.


when someone with Agoraphobia, or similar problems,
says they can't come to see you, so they need you to come to them...
the answer is a definate no.
for very sound reasons.
To make them feel more relaxed and comfortable in their own home,
tends to have the effect of rewarding the problem.
and makes it even more difficult to
take the steps they need to take to move forward.

Actually going to see a therapist,
making the journey there,
traveling back home and thinking about it,
is all part of the threapy in my opinion.

I know quite a few people who do home visits,
but they tend to get lumped in with tarot card readers,
and others that go out to homes to do parties.

Not my cup of tea!


I look forward to seeing what others say on this subject.
thanks for asking.

LOve and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on September 27, 2009 at 11:44am

In a million years I would not do home visits. There is really no control over the session, and from a liability perspective it is a nightmare.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Yardley on September 27, 2009 at 12:11pm

Thanks for the heads up, what I figured, just want to get started!!

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Permalink Reply by Katherine Zimmerman on September 27, 2009 at 12:18pm

Steve,

I agree with Richard and Fable. Look around for an office that you can rent by the hour. For my first office I subleased space from an electrologist. She was quiet and not even there 2 days a week. I had a waiting room that was furnished and in 3 1/2 years she never raised my rent. Check out local chiropractors, etc. and see if they have an extra room that they would rent on an 'as needed' basis. Or share space with other hypnos. If 3 go in together the rent can be quite reasonable. Each of you can hang up your credentials on your day/s in the office. Do the first session in person then use skype or phone sessions.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Yardley on September 27, 2009 at 12:22pm

Thanks Katherine, great advice and what I am looking for at the moment

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Permalink Reply by Richard Nongard - NLPBoard.com on September 27, 2009 at 12:38pm

a while back I helped someone in texas find space at a massage therapy clinic. Look on Craig's List for a similar office share arrangement...

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Permalink Reply by Pete & Lorraine on September 27, 2009 at 12:52pm

Hi Steve
I would have to agree with Fable in fact every one so far, a couple of therapists have advised me against it, I did it once round a friends for smoking. The phone went the kids played up etc, you may not get that but you have no control over the enviroment. Can you try and get a room in a beauty salon, health spa, alternative healing centre ?

Good Luck
Pete

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Cole-NLPTrainingQuest.com on September 27, 2009 at 1:54pm

To reinforce what has already been shared, yes, there are plenty of options available. As a matter of fact, I sublet my office out one day a week to a psychologist. How's that for a switch?

As Richard mentioned, Craigslist is a great place to find a part time office. IMO, not having an office really takes away from how you are perceived by your clients and being perceived as a professional is so incredibly important in this line of work.

That being said, there are two cases of which I have actually gone to other people's homes to work with them.

1. As Fable can relate, I too will agree to come to an agoraphobic's home for a nominal additional fee. I usually try to get them into my office before offering to come to them though. More often then not, they manage to come to me.

2. I have worked with a few clients under special circumstances for an all day and in a couple of cases, all weekend breakthrough session. I do charge a very hefty fee for this however of $1000 a day/$1500 for a weekend.

Either way, if you are serious about doing this as a career, get a part time office and gradually work your way up to full time...


Stay Well,

Kevin Cole
www.nlptrainingquest.com

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Permalink Reply by Shirley R. Patterson on September 27, 2009 at 4:35pm

For the hospice I work for (as a Bereavement Counselor) I do some home visits. I will agree with Fable and Richard. I have had dogs and cats demanding attention (from me and the client) phones ring (which they answer) friends who drop in during the visit (and who want to hang around) the client getting up and wandering around as they talk, or going to get food and drink. And these are people who requested us to come out because they need therapy. The home visits take more energy than the visits in my office.

Find some way to secure your own office. You will be glad you did.

Shirley

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Permalink Reply by Fable Goodman on September 28, 2009 at 12:42am

Thanks Paul,

I enjoyed hearing your experience, and getting a different, and well though out alternative perspective.

LOve and hugs,

Fable

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Permalink Reply by Jon Rhodes on September 28, 2009 at 11:46am

I have done home visits and found them to work well in my experience. Whilst they do have some disadvantages, they also have lots of advantages.

For a kick off there is the money saving aspect. It keeps your overheads very low, meaning you can either offer cheaper sessions, or make more profit. It can be a great way to start off and build a reputation and client base before spending money on a premises. There are also much fewer 'no shows'. People may get lazy or nervous last minute and not turn up to see you, but they seem more likely to stay in and open the door to you.

The dynamics are a little different in a home visit, but not necessarily in a bad way. Most clients, unless they have experienced hypnotherapy many times, are usually nervous about having treatment from a clinical hypnotherapist. As a clinical hypnotherapist one of our roles is to get the patient as comfortable with us as possible before starting trance work. This is often a lot easier in their own homes. And I believe that when starting out, it helps to quickly develop you into a confident therapist, as you have to push out of your own comfort zone.

I have had the occasional problem with noise in the house, but this has been rare, and never been anything that I haven't easily been able to handle. The worst situation I have had is when the patient opened her eyes and said she will be back in a minute to shut her husband up! She returned and we carried on the session and she actually went into a deeper trance after the minor disruption.

Almost always the patients are very respectful, as are their families. After all they called you, and they want treating, so you find that they make sure everything is quiet and comfortable, and will usually ask you if there is anything they need to do. They don't want to be wasting their time and money. Have a little faith in fellow humans, you will be surprised at their hospitality.

I would say that it is a good idea to strive for your own premises eventually, but I really don't think it is a problem visiting people in their own homes. I spend nearly two years doing just that, and it worked well for me anyway. Finding the homes was never a problem either. You can find the routes on many sites, such as the AA, and if you have a mobile with their number on it, then you can always call them if you run into problems. I never ever had trouble finding the homes.

Fable - I understand what you are saying about Agoraphobics, but think of it this way. What if the only way a particular agoraphobic will begin treatment is if you see them at their home for the first few sessions? What I do is make them a deal. I will for example say that I will visit them at home for the first 2 sessions, but they must come to my practice on the third session. Obviously many will try and manipulate more home sessions, which is not a good thing. I charge them for all 3 sessions, but inform them that they must visit me on the third session or they will lose their money. This tactic helps many people who otherwise not receive help. It gives them a couple of sessions to receive some help, and gives them that kick in the rear to get out of their homes.

But if you only have a mobile practice and don't want to treat agoraphobics, then simply refer them to someone who does have a practice. It's no problem really, not one to stop you from having a mobile practice if that's what you want to do.

I would say that it is better to have your own surgery, but I don't think it is so bad to offer mobile therapy. Like I said, I've done it and it wasn't nearly as problematic for me as what is being suggested here. Maybe it doesn't work for everyone, I don't know, all I can say is that it worked fine for me. I hope this balances things a little for you Steve, rather than confuse you. But I would say go for it and try it for yourself if you are struggling to find or afford a premises, and see how it goes.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Yardley on September 29, 2009 at 12:44am

Well what can I say except thanks to all who posted a reply. I have recently, due to circumstances beyond my control, relocated from a major town, which has plenty of opportunities for renting rooms/space and obviously has access to thousands of clients which is what really made me 'take the plunge' and start doing something I love for a living and be rewarded for doing it rather than 'take' from people ( I have been in sales all my life ) and hopefully give something back.

The town I now live in is tiny in comparison but in a way that helps as there are no other HT's within a reasonable distance so I have a great client bank.The nearest large town is an hour away so I am a little restricted. The challenge is finding an office, I have been searching and networking for a while and maybe next year a couple of places will have space/been renovated etc, so in the meantime, to get out there and start ( gulp!) I would rather gain what experience/practice I can, however I can than rather than sit here twiddling my thumbs waiting for space. I have spent an incredible amount of time visiting people in their homes and must admit that whilst the dogs/kids/phone were always a distraction, with a bit of 'direction', this was easily overcome, especially if it was dealt with prior to the appointment. Ultimately I cannot wait to open my office, my ultimate goal would be to open a therapy 'center', with different types of thereapy's all operating from one wellness mini mall, ( omg, and I've only just qualified!! ).
Once again, many thanks for all your input, I hope to, one day, be able to return the favour.

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