You’re a hairdresser…not a counsellor.
“A good hairstylist is cheaper than a therapist”“Therapy is expensive…get a haircut instead.”“My therapist knows everything about me.”
These are memes and sayings that you might see on Facebook, and let’s face it, some of the beliefs of your current clients. They come in for a haircut and leave feeling lighter not only because there’s less hair, but because they got to unload. On you.
The setting that you provide primes your client to feel like they can share what’s going on for them:
They are doing something for themselves.
They have you touching their head and having physical contact which is proven to help relax people.
They don’t have to look you in the eye, so there’s a bit of removal or accountability when they are telling you their secrets.
While British Columbia is still in the midst of a lot of Covid-19 restrictions, you may be one of the only people they’re seeing in person outside of their immediate family right now.
For a lot of people, getting their hair done is the longest that they sit in one spot without technology or interruptions, and their thoughts and emotions begin to flow.
And then you get to carry all of that home with you. But what if you’re not able to shake it off? Some of the stories that you hear are pretty heavy.
You weren’t trained to be a counsellor.
And yet here you are, listening to people’s problems and trying to help them navigate ways to manage the things they’re facing.
At Panorama Wellness Group, we want to help you help your clients.
We operate from a trauma-informed perspective. This means that we have all had training in how to help clients who have experienced an event that is overwhelming, unexpected, and changes how they operate in their life.
The main thing that is needed for this type of client is to feel safe in themselves, their relationships and their environments. So when you find that your client is sharing something that is traumatic to them, it means that you are doing something well in creating a safe place for them to be vulnerable. Which is awesome…but can also be a lot for you to carry if you don’t have the right tools.
The team at Panorama Wellness Group is here to help. We are starting a new series of blog articles meant to help you as you carry this very important role as hairstylist, listener and lay counsellor.
As we start, we wanted to provide you with a few helpful tips on how to navigate some of the situations you find yourself in.
How to help yourself help your client:
Listen to what your client is saying, and find ways to stay removed. This happens by reminding yourself not to judge what they’re going through. Using nonverbal communication like “mm-hmm” or “huh” can help the client feel heard, but you’re not actually having to enter in.
If you hear something that shocks you, take time to take a deep breath. Being aware of your surroundings, paying attention to your breathing, and finding a way to care for yourself at the moment can help you manage the surprise that you may experience.
Remind your client that you are not a trained counsellor. You want them to feel safe in sharing what’s going on in their life, but let them know that you are quite willing to give them the name of a trusted counsellor who would be able to help them from a professional perspective.
Don’t try to help them figure out how to make their way through their problem. When trauma is involved, there needs to be someone who has training in this area that makes safe and informed suggestions to the client.
Encourage your client to reach out to a trusted friend, find other ways to manage their stress through something like yoga, exercise or a meditation class.
Try to find something positive to speak about. Notice their strength or courage in the midst of what they are facing. Encourage them to think about the ways that they can practice gratitude or positivity during this time.
It is important to us that you feel supported and that you have ways to manage the information that your clients share with you on a regular basis. You aren’t a counsellor, but you are often put in that role.
In our next blog post, we’ll be sharing ways that you can understand what trauma is. We hope that you’ll follow along with us.
If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us at info@panoramawellnessgroup.ca or 778-726-0550. We would be happy to talk further, or come in and provide some training for you and your co-workers to help you in your important role.
