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A client talks incessantly throughout the session.
The lights are low and the music soft. The mood is perfect—and your client won’t stop talking. What do you do? Burman says it depends on the situation.
“Some people will talk because they feel they need to entertain you,” she says. “You can tell them that it’s OK for them to relax and unwind.”
Terrie Yardley-Nohr, author of Ethics for Massage Therapists, recommends taking three breaths with the client and redirecting the session back to its original intent. Remember, new clients may be nervous, and others just friendly, so moderate your irritation.
McIntosh agrees. “The main consideration is whether it’s helping the client relax, not whether it’s distracting you,” she says. “It’s their dime. They can talk, so instead of asking them to be quiet you might tell them to notice how tight they are getting when they talk.”
Speaking from experience, McIntosh says a client may simply be unwinding by talking. “I chatter for 20 minutes, and then they turn me over and I go to sleep,” she says.
Potential Response:
“Do you notice that when you talk your shoulders tense up? Can I do anything to help you relax? It's fine if you want to talk, but the complete benefits of the massage include letting your mind relax as well as your body.”
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American Massage Therapy Association®
