a living from reflexology in Scotland?

I practice Aromatherapy, Reflexology, India Head Massage, Crystal Healing, Stress Management, EFT and Reiki and did so while living in the UK. I didn't make loads and loads of money but I did survive quite well on what I made from my business.

I had always wanted to live abroad - and Greece just captured me if you know what I mean. I looked into the possibilities of setting up and continuing to do the work I had being doing for years - and was met with 'Yes,yes its no problem'. I delved into the set up of business and learned I had to get a licence. Thats fine I thought I'll do that plus all the other things I had to comply with.

When I got there - different story. I was told I had to produce all my certificates/diplomas etc, take them to mainland Greece, have them translated, have them verified and then the front of them would be stamped by the authorities. I flipped at that. No way was I having my certificates/diplomas defaced. Then they told me I could go to the health department instead to be tested on my ability to perform my treatments. If they thought I was competent enough I could then register with either the Physiotherapy Association or the Beauty Therapy Association to be able to practise - and then only after paying out for a licence which very often takes up to 2 years to get!
After a while I spoke to a beauty therapist who didn't have to have anything verified or be tested. And another reiki/massage therapist who was registered with the beauty Therapists Assoc. straightaway ( she had a friend on the board I heard) although she waited 2 years for her licence to come through.
My question then was where do these associations stand with regards to EFT, Reiki, Crystal Healing & Stress Management ??? I was met with a shrug of the shoulders response!:(

I have many thoughts and opinions on the standards in various areas here in Greece - which I won't air here - but lets just say the climate is lovely, the scenery is breathtaking but beautiful as it is here, the standards here are appalling in areas where they should be high.

I've been here a few years now and its difficult because I'm not doing enough of what I love - I did far more in UK (Scotland actually) before I moved. Its frustrating, but the problem of moving back - house, possessions, animals, plus Greek man .... you can imagine!

I'm now having to find a compromise - and am still working on that - but I will not give up on my healing treatments. Torn in two really.

I think I just probably answered your question - yes, I think you can make a living out of it if you market yourself and your services and are willing to give yourself time for your client base to build up.

I do understand your dilemma!:)

Hi Fadette - I live and work in Fife - I can see Edinburgh from my bedroom window! I have friends who are complementary therapists working in Edinburgh, but they are all multi-therapy therapists (if that makes sense!). They offer reflexology as just one of their specialisms. Working in Fife, I do MLD, and 90% of my clients are lymphoedema sufferers. The other 10% see me for massage and reflexology. I wouldn't make a living solely from reflexology. Some of my colleagues in the area have other jobs in addition to their therapy work. My income covers my mortgage, car, petrol and utilities, and whatever is left over is invested in CPD. I don't go on holiday, drink or smoke. Not sure I've answered your question, but I think until you have qualified, you need to look at other supporting work options.

O thank you, you 2! so lovely. smells like Scotland already!

(ok,weird thing to say, I agree, it's a mix of "how typical: scottish kindness" and a flashback of the Edinburgh burnt potatoe smell always there when I arrive in Waverley: the brewery)

ahah, Holistica1, your careful description of the attitude towards therapies and "other areas" made me smile! this is so like this here; but mind you I have to acknowledge France excels at mainstream health services, walking in a hospital (not my usual hobby, dont worry) is sometimes like entering a nuclear plant: docs and nurses wear hair hats and pastic disposable shoes and it s so so clean and efficient; any xray appointment in just 2 days).
but the rest... O dear sometimes I think I should write a book.

I changed banks 3 times. One manager went on holiday when I was waiting painfully on his call to tell me wether I had the emergency mini loan. then he was unreachable as he was to ashamed to talk to me. then the other one actually never registered my request for cheque book and card (the basic stuff when you open an account) even though I had good regular income at that stage; I had waited for 3 weeks for the appointment, then woman said I had dreamt the request, that I never signed the papers...I was so infuriated that I said Id change bank. she anonymously called the benefit agency to tip them on me receiving money while I had income. Alas for her, the Benefit man who interviewed me was embarassed to ask all the strange questions I had been "invited" to come and answer because the money I received was completely legal and I was entitled to it.
Third bank. makes me wait 1 hour outside her office eventhough we had an appointment and avoids my gaze when I open the door while she s on the phone. I go and wait in a chair in a different corridor after 50 min wait. when I decide to go and have a look again, she comes shouting at me "where you ve been?! Ive been looking for you everywhere". she doesnt even apologize for the lateness. is abrupt and almost rude during the appointment.

Ive had this sort of experience, I can say, for almost every single administrative step I have taken: insurance paid but no insurance actually registered in the office, girl tells me to just "go away"...I chase her boss everyday during 3 weeks , he 's always "very busy". finally during the talk with him he says he cant tell her off as she would contact trade unions and staff manager etc. Tells me "we have plenty customers already" when I ask him if company image is just an extra for them....Jesus, I have lost my sense of humour with the dishonesty, the lying in your face and dont-care attitude of many people here. and it's my country.:eek:. Cant belive I came back for "the scenery, the climate, the health care. what was I thinking off?)

So back to Reflexology in Scotland. yes Jabba, Im thinking of doing other therapies but then dont want to learn too many, want to be knowledged in 2 or 3 at the most. Im aware Id have to get other job alongside for maybe 2 years at least...but I found it so much easier to find work in the UK, wheeras in France its complicated for every job you re considering: ultra specialized qualification (eg: to be a hotel receptionist you need 3 years "hotel management" studies after A level. give me a break).

Jabba, what's MLD??

Holistica1, I so relate to your "being torn". I too have pets, Ive started one year ago the lenghty process to have them being allowed in the UK. then there s all my stuff to move back (and we re not talking about 2 bags, more like a whole wall of books plus other stuff). thanks god I ve not fished myself a french man here, means I m often bored at home BUT Im free to emigrate. I know I will miss my mild climate and one or two things from France, but I think living a meaningful life is what matters, not "comfort"...

Jabba, (totally off topic but Im an expert at doing that on this forum. will probably be taken off this thread), is Fife nice? you see Edinburgh from your window? O must be so lovely! Do you have to drive to get to Edinburgh or are there trains..? O I so love talking about Scotland. only last nigth I was dancing in the crowd in front of Franz Ferdinand on stage, it was wild and amazing, and when someone waved a blue Scotland flag just in front of me, for the Glaswegian skinny musicians, I started crying. I thought either Im back to my teen love-to-get-nostalgic-and-depressed-because-its-cool or Im very advanced premenauposal. or I really have that love for Scotland deep inside me, like a virus you cant get rid off.