Stranger Danger

Hi everyone!
I do not have the space needed at home for clients, and renting an office is not an option at this time. But I can travel to their home. I am interested in hearing from others, how to keep safe when visiting a new client? ...uh, background check before the visit? :p and what to say to someone who wants to hire you, but there's something that just seems off about this person? Can't exactly say, "Uh, sorry I would love to give your pet reiki, but my pendulum has just confirmed that you keep knives and duck tape in your apt."

Perhaps, just take on other mommies, their kids and cats for now?, What are your thoughts and experiences?

Namaste,
Reiki Mama

reiki mama wrote:Hi everyone!
I do not have the space needed at home for clients, and renting an office is not an option at this time. But I can travel to their home. I am interested in hearing from others, how to keep safe when visiting a new client? ...uh, background check before the visit? :p and what to say to someone who wants to hire you, but there's something that just seems off about this person? Can't exactly say, "Uh, sorry I would love to give your pet reiki, but my pendulum has just confirmed that you keep knives and duck tape in your apt."

Perhaps, just take on other mommies, their kids and cats for now?, What are your thoughts and experiences?

Namaste,
Reiki Mama

Reiki Mama, For a start you 
are aware that danger is
possible. Using your intuition
will always keep you safe.

When I was starting out  I
volunteered my services in
nursing homes, hospitals, &
women's centers.  That can 
help you establish yourself 
while getting experience in 
your local area. It will also 
give you an opportunity to
reach out by giving out your 
Reiki pamphlet with services 
offered and cost for sessions.

Hi Reiki Mama
As chi_solas says - use your intuition. I always chat with people on phone before meeting them - gives my intuition a chance to work them out. Also, tell a friend who you're with, where and when and arrange a phone-in time. If you don't phone-in, your friend can then call the police.
This experience may cause you to smile... I received an email enquiry from a Saudi Arabian man, attending a Security Conference in the UK. He wanted to know if I could initiate him to Reiki, in his hotel room. Needless to say, I was a little hesitant! Intuition said yes, so I gave a friend: the man's email address, phone number, facebook id and photo and arranged a phone-in time. I arrived early and let hotel reception know what room I was in. We did the initiation over three days and each day he bought me lunch and paid all my travel costs. On the last day we had dinner with a member of the Embassy.
Maybe start with moms and cats and work your way up to strange men in hotel rooms

I agree with all that's been said. ALWAYS inform someone you love and trust of your exact whereabouts. When you arrive at a clients home make a point of letting them know that you are checking in with your trusted family member or friend that you have arrived safely and what time you will be leaving and that you will let them know the time you set off etc. and make a point of stating the name and address of the client, so that they are well aware that someone else knows your exact whereabouts. Also you could take a friend along with you who might be happy to wait in the car and have a read for an hour or so. And if you get to a destination and at all feel uncomfortable, make your excuses and leave. Just because someone has asked for your services doesn't mean you have to offer them. ALWAYS apply discernment. If in doubt, leave it out!!

And the same goes for treating clients in your own home or therapy room etc. Lone therapists are in a vulnerable position and can easily become targets for some of the more unscrupulous and dodgy minded folk out there. Use your common sense. When we first opened the holistic centre, my partner in the centre had a client coming for a massage and she wasn't quite sure of the vibe she was picking up from him on the phone. So she asked if I would just wait in reception while she did her treatment. Turns out he was really lovely...