The Dark Side of the Healing Oases: Cautionary Tales

- This is a work of fiction, based on fact. This is based on the experiences of three different practitioners I have met. The names and identifying details have been changed to protect the innocent.... and otherwise. -

Let me tell you a story that happened some time ago in a land far, far away. Once there were three healers: Ann, a massage therapist, Stan, a talk therapist, and Fran, a naturopath. They loved their work and they loved helping people. They saw that it would be to the betterment of their patients and clients if they joined forces with other healers. Each of them rented office spaces that were too big for them individually. They divided each office it into several treatment rooms with the idea that they could be shared by healers with different modalities. 

Ann had graduated with and MBA before she gained her credentials as a massage therapist. She looked forward to creating a healing oasis where she could collaborating with other practitioners. Although she was able to rent out the rooms easily at first, one of her sublettors ended up breaking his lease by disappearing without notice. He left no forwarding address, disconnected his phone and left Ann with $400/month of overhead. Another sublettor had a disagreement with her and started making catty comments to Ann’s clients as they entered the office. In addition, items started disappearing out of Ann’s treatment room. Eventually, unable to handle the financial responsibility of a full-time lease, Ann’s sublettors started asking for “part-time” rent of the rooms, leading to more sublettors and a scheduling nightmare for all involved. One of them painted a treatment room without asking Ann or the other sublettors. A meeting had to be called among all the parties. In spite of the attempt to talk it out, no one was satisfied. 

Ann prided herself on being a consummate professional. She spent a lot of time on her marketing plan and a good chunk of change to market her business. The other sublettors seemed to think it was Ann’s job to do their marketing for them. Anytime she suggested promoting their wellness group at a networking event or a local festival, none of the others wanted to put up the money. Even if they agreed to spend the money, it seemed that Ann was the only one willing to show up at the event. As time went on and Ann got to know the others in the office better, she came to learn that most of them treated their healing more as a hobby than a profession. Ann continued for a while, she finally gave up her dream of a wellness center and rented a small office in an executive suite. 

Stan, a talk therapist, also dreamed of creating a healing oasis. His office included a large meeting room, a airy reception area and several nicely appointed treatment rooms. At first, everything seemed great; then the drumming began. Another one of the practitioners started an ecstatic drumming circle. The walls in the office, unfortunately, were quite thin. Stan talked to the practitioner about scheduling the drumming circles and practices at times that did not interfere with his clients’ time. Despite these assurances, in the middle of an emotionally-charged session with a client: “boom, bitty boom boom boom!” Stan’s client couldn’t handle the distraction and left in tears. Stan felt bitter and betrayed. This wasn’t the only issue. The practitioners who shared the office tended to “pounce” on Stan’s clients as they were leaving to try to sell them on foot massages, Feldenkrais sessions or past life regressions. More than one of Stan’s clients admitted that they found these interactions extremely hard to deal with after their therapy sessions. They just needed a few quiet minutes to integrate what they had just experienced. Stan realized too late that he should have made arrangements with the others in the office as to how they would promote their services. 

Fran started her healing oasis with a group of her friends. They were so excited to offer their city a place to come together in healing. There were many healers who ended up joining the practice. Fran wanted to hire a receptionist, but her friends didn’t want to spend the money. They insisted on taking shifts to staff the front desk themselves. Fran relented, glad to avoid an additional expense. Sometimes, Fran found that the receptionist were charging her patients for the wrong items, despite her carefully itemized bills. Sometimes, they weren’t charged at all. It took Fran extra time to figure things out and keep her books straight, but oh well, at least she didn’t have to pay a receptionist. One day, Fran heard the front desk person turning a potential patient away because “The nutritionist isn’t here, today. Sorry.” Fran ran out of her office “I can provide nutritional counseling.” she said. “I spent a quarter of my program learning about nutrition and vitamins!” On another occasion, Fran heard one of the folks at the front desk telling a woman “Oh yes, I’ve heard Fran has cured lots of people of their breast cancer!” Fran cringed inside as she came around the corner to explain that, no, she doesn’t “cure” breast cancer. She wondered how many other potential patients had been turned away and how many other half-truths had been spread about her practice. Fran repeatedly tried to inform the others of her concerns, but the mistakes and misinformation continued. 

So what have we learned?

1. Healers, despite being warm-hearted and wonderful human beings can be terrible business people. Sometimes, they can be downright flaky. These warm, fuzzy people can also be as spiteful, petty and vitriolic as anyone else on the planet. 
2. The more people you get involved, the less control you have over your space and situation.
3. It’s important to tell your own story, or find a person who you trust to tell your own story. 
4. No body knows about your business or cares about its success as much you do. 
5. You get what you pay for. 
6. Good fences make good neighbors.
7. Make your expectations and responsibilities clear at the beginning. 
8. If you’re going to be in business with someone, make sure they are as professional as you are. 
9. Know when to walk away from a bad situation. 

- THE END -