Over the past four years, I saw many practitioners for an issue with chronic dizziness*. These were both mainstream and alternative practitioners – some great and some not so great. Add to this all the stories I hear from clients, including breastfeeding mothers, about their experiences with practitioners. I began to take note of traits I valued in a practitioner – traits to aspire to in my professional life.
So here is my list of what is important when choosing a _____________ (insert relevant professional eg. doctor / midwife/ lactation consultant / therapist / physio etc) to help you with your healing journey / breastfeeding goals.
A good practitioner:
- Focuses on you, not themselves.
- Validates your experience – no gaslighting or minimising your experience eg. telling you there’s nothing wrong; or its anxiety; or blaming the mother – eg one of my clients was virtually accused of attention seeking (or Munchausen’s by proxy) for repeatedly taking her baby to hospital when her baby ended up needing bowel surgery.
- Can admit when they dont know the answer to something.
- Asks questions and listens without interrupting.
- Allows you to ask questions – the opposite of this may be subtle – notice if you feel you are holding your self back from speaking up.
- Offers space and time – no rushing. This one is tricky given the current medical system and very short appts (eg. to see a GP). I often recommend mothers video their baby or take photos to demonstrate their concerns as symptoms may not be evident in the 10 minute appt slot.
- Has a non-judgemental attitude: Is respectful of differences.
- Carries out a thorough assessment with attention to detail.
- Looks for what’s working, as well as what is not. Doom and gloom can be a bit overwhelming.
- Communicates in a kind and clear manner, conveying empathy and warmth.
- Provides opportunity for informed consent (including risks and benefits of treatment and relevant alternatives).
- Works with you as a team in addressing your health issues. Gone are the days of medical paternalism (actually thats debatable in light of recent mandates). Shared decision making empowers the person seeking support to make choices that feel right for them.
- Doesn’t make bold promises to fix you or provide all the answers. No therapy is a panacea!
- Is committed to continuing education and keeping up to date in their field.
- Is willing to step outside of the medical paradigm and be open to complimentary/alternative treatments. A holistic approach that addresses the root cause is ideal.
- Looks after themself – the person advising you about your health should invest in their own self care (eg. don’t turn up to work sick).
- Is respectful to their colleagues – eg. I used to work in a paediatric clinic, and was appalled by the way I was treated by some of the paediatricians.
- Is willing to liaise with other practitioners in order to help the client.
- Respects the referral process – will suggest you follow up with the referring practitioner, rather than them.
- Doesn’t automatically assume you want to sign up for an expensive series of appts and treatments or products.
- Values follow up, reviewing progress and/ or response to treatment.
- Leaves you feeling seen, heard and validated.
There are many facets of being an effective practitioner besides good knowledge and skills. Emotional well being is a key component of care as stress is known to interfere with the healing process. Healing happens in relationship where there is a safe container to explore issues. Tips that might make the prcoess easier:
- Bring along a support person.
- Check with your intuition before booking in with someone, or following their advice.
- Perhaps ask friends and family for recommendations – though remembering we are all different and resonate differently with different people.
Ultimtely you are the expert on your body and I encourage you to get second and third (or more!) opinions if you feel advice just doesnt sit right for you. The healing journey is not a linear process and there are ups and down, successes and setbacks, but having the right support around you can make all the difference.
So there you go – am I missing anything? Feel free to share your personal experiences (without naming and shaming)
* I have come to realise that my dizzy issue was a side effect of increasing sensitivity and awakening of my empath abilities while training as a craniosacral therapist. I have found alternate ways to manage it these days and it no longer dominates my life.
Flow Cranio and Lactation 