When you have a group that are referring, everyone should be getting the same amount of clients back that they send out, especially it they make it plain that is the deal.

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,” wrote John Donne in 1624. There may be times when situations present themselves where the therapist needs experienced help.

This may be a question of technique of how to deal with a specific client. Other therapists, with their experience, may have plenty of stories and ideas. Sharing ideas is a shortcut in the learning experience.

There may be a question which can be answered by another discipline. The therapist may need assistance in setting up good financial record keeping or advice on how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The proper professional should be sought out and consulted.

One of the most dangerous things to do with a problem is nothing. Problems tend to fester. Sometimes any action is better than doing nothing because it’s a positive step forward, off the first square. Simply communicating the problem to another may be the first step to setting up a plan to solve it.

Of course, sharing with another therapist or other professional should be done while respecting the client’s privacy. It may be necessary to omit the name or other identifying characteristics before conveying information. To reveal the client would constitute gossiping and may even lead to a suit for violation of privacy.

Particularly for therapists practicing alone, getting together with others in the industry periodically just to shoot the breeze is beneficial. If you are working alone, you may become too isolated. Sometimes this is not a healthy situation. Dining out with others in the same business, laughing and sharing work stories can reset one’s perspective.

For the Internet minded, http://www.yahoogroups.com has 1,345 e-mail groups about massage. In an e-mail group, any member can send a message to a central e-mail address and the message is distributed almost instantly to all other members. Many of the massage e-mail groups are made up of therapists sharing information. This can be a good way to let off a little steam or to get new ideas.

There are formal meetings where therapists can meet one another, learn, and exchange ideas. For example, the American Massage Therapists Association holds an annual convention lasting four days. The same organization also offers local and regional conferences.