New Orofacial Myology therapist hesitant in starting out
Q:
I’m new to OMT myself and I’m very hesitant in starting out and actually taking money for something that I’m not sure of. I’m especially nervous of taking up clients who are not compliant, like your 5 year olds you mention. So my question is, then why not wait another year or two until the child is mature enough to understand the exercises and to comply better.
Thank you!
M
A:
Hi,
Your question was passed to me. Thank you for thinking about these important things!
Also, please ask this question and others on our Facebook Group, Myo Masters. There you will be able to receive answers from others who have been in exactly that situation. I used to cover this in class, but we have so much material that I left these questions for our grads’ Facebook Group. But I will add my own thoughts and experience below. Also start reading all of the questions and answers on our website under the blog section and archives on the right of it. That will put you up high right away as a therapist!! https://orofacialmyology.com/blog/
1. Some new people begin by offering the service free: DO NOT DO THAT! I found that it was not appreciated and parents and clients did not take it seriously or practice well unless they paid for the service.
2. Even though you are new, you might be the best person in your area or most convenient for a patient, so don’t feel bad that you don’t yet know everything. If you give 100% of what you know now, you will likely still be the best possibility for the client.
3. As far as age, some 32 year old clients are not compliant and some 4 year olds are perfect! I don’t know if you saw the girl post frenectomy in a video in class, but she was one of the best clients I have every had. If you are fun, clear, and reasonable in what you assign for practice, compliance won’t be a problem for children or adults who fall within the normal range cognitively and behaviorally, etc.
4. If you are at first more comfortable with a certain age group, there is nothing wrong with targeting that age group to begin with. If you do a good job, in a period of time the word will spread and you will slowly begin receiving a variety of different patients so you’ll be able to ease into a more comfortable situation for all ages.
5. As you know, I always look at myself, the therapist, first. I get as basic as necessary for the particular individual. I never blame a patient but rather look inside myself to see what I might be missing. You have a fun and very pleasant personality, one that is very suitable for becoming a superb orofacial myology therapist. Be patient with yourself, don’t seek perfectionism but rather to maximize each patient the best you can …. and know that growth and confidence and technique with continue to expand for your entire career. We don’t have every answer…as new orofacial myology therapists we just keep probing and thinking and helping!!
Sandra