If you’ve never been for a therapy session you may be wondering what on earth you do. You’re going to go and spend some time with a person you’ve never met before, tell them your health history and then get the therapy you fancied when you had a look at what was on offer.

At the time it may have seemed like a good idea, but now you may be worried about doing things ‘wrong’. Whats the etiquette around a massage? Do you get fully undressed or are you keeping all your underwear on? With reflexology, does it matter that you’ve been walking around in sandals all day and your feet have a cheesy aroma? And what do you DO in the session? Do you chat, close your eyes, or stare at the ceiling?

If it’s your first ever therapy, don’t panic, you’re not the only person. Everyone who has regular therapies had to start somewhere and if your therapist knows you’ve never had a therapy they should explain to you what to expect. In the case of a massage, undressing down to your knickers or pants is ideal, but if you want to leave your bra on (if you’re a lady!), then do it! It’s always a good idea to undo your bra to avoid getting oil on it, but it can be undone while you’re led on the couch. Worried about cheesy feet and reflexology? Don’t – your feet get cleaned at the very start of the session, so any dodgy dirt and smell will be gone before the reflexology is even started.

And another biggy is to talk or not to talk? Well, everyone is different. At a first session I always say to people if you want to talk to me that is absolutely fine, I’m not going to ignore you. On the other hand though, if you’ve come to relax and want to fall asleep, that’s also fine. I’m not going to start a conversation with you, although if it is your first session I may ask you occasionally about pressure. If you want to fall asleep I promise to wake you up at the end (it’s also a big compliment for me that you’ve relaxed so much) and if you want to keep your eyes open, stare at the ceiling or the picture on the wall, that’s absolutely fine as well. Seriously, there’s actually no right or wrong to it, so don’t let the worries about how to get your first therapy treatment ‘right’ stop you from getting a first session booked.

Louise is a holistic therapist who owns Therapy Centre, Bristol 9HB, a clinic offering a range of holistic and beauty therapies. Louise offers reflexology, aromatherapy, aromatology, holistic massage, Indian head massage, reiki, baby massage and story massage. She is a mum of two boys and when she is not working she enjoys getting outdoors with her family. For further information visit louise-morgan.co.uk or contact her clinic on 01275 217160