Why I Stay in my Lane

Earlier this year I completed a certification with Trauma Informed Weightlifting, as part of my ongoing journey to be a Trauma Informed Personal Trainer.

There were many takeaways that I am reflecting on and learning to apply still.

One that comes up a lot, is whether I can truly call myself a Trauma Informed practitioner, if I don’t have a tight referral network for my clients? Including Therapists, Counsellors, ED specialists, Nutritionists, Massage Therapists, Physiotherapist’s, Acupuncturists and other health practitioners that are safe people for those with Complex Trauma and/or PTSD.

This is something I am working on from this little corner in Cornwall.

It has been a helpful reminder that I can stay in my lane. I can support people to build strength through movement and I would be doing them a disservice if I pretended to be doing anything else. I love to listen, but my clients know they deserve  to have a Therapist in their life too, if they want one. I have enjoyed completing certifications about the pelvic floor but I always refer to a Pelvic Floor Physio if my clients have pelvic floor concerns. I can bang on about diet culture, but I am not qualified to speak on nutrition. So again, I refer out, to a Nutritionist or Dietician. I am always happy to take on clients who are injured, but will sign post to a Physio for collaboration. I know my professional duties and limits.

Where possible, I really encourage clients to have a team of people to support them. A network of professionals who can truly put my clients’ needs first. It also liberates me from any burden that I need to be anything other than a PT. I can focus on being the best trauma informed Strength Trainer I can be, alongside knowing when and how to recommend other practitioners.

Yes, I want to provide a safe space, I love listening. I am completely here for anything my clients choose to bring, what they want to share. This information is relevant as it informs how the session will play out, but I know I am not qualified to offer advice on anything other than movement. My clients, and I, don’t need to subscribe to a notion that I am a one stop, do it all, shop. I won’t be promising a solution to burn out, or chronic pain, or hormone related symptoms, or ongoing fatigue, or disordered eating, or postpartum recovery, or perimenopausal changes, or injury, or body dysmorphia. The list goes on. But I really love to be part of that journey, as someone who shares their knowledge, and experience, with the aim of facilitating helpful movement. Even better, by working closely with a team to ensure my client’s needs, and well-being, are centred at all times. Just yesterday my client arrived at their session with a video of their Physio demonstrating some exercises to use, after a diagnosis of an ongoing shoulder issue. We are now able to incorporate these exercises into my client’s programme. As the client identified themself, they wouldn’t necessarily do them outside of training.

And I will say it. I get so vexed when I see people offering services that they are simply not qualified to do. Especially if it ‘worked for them’. A popular one being: I’ve had a baby so I now know how to design a pregnancy/post-partum strength programme. At best, this is anecdotal, at worst it is profiting on people’s vulnerabilities, with deception. Even if the person selling their anecdotal ‘it worked for me’ ideas really believes in it, it is harmful. It simply won’t, and can’t, work for everyone and may play into a client feeling like they are the one who is at fault, if it doesn’t. This shouldn’t even be a possibility if we are working with already traumatised and/or marginalised bodies. We need to do everything to try and minimise further harm. To protect our clients.

Sometimes it seems like someone is ‘overqualified’ to offer certain skills and this can be alluring. My favourite example is that of a local Women’s Health Physiotherapist offering nutrition and strength training programmes. On the surface it looks like a good offer. A well qualified practitioner offering a more diverse service. More bang for your buck. But, it feeds into a hierarchy of roles that completely undermines the lengths decent Trainers and Nutritionists go to, to become experienced and qualified. The message being that: if I am already a qualified Physio, I don’t need to be a certified Trainer/Nutritionist to sell you programmes. This is not to be confused with those amazing Physio’s out there who are qualified as Trainers (often Pilates) too. When Physios, who are not Trainers, offer fitness programmes or sessions, it harms the work we Trainers do. We see our clients regularly, building relationships and trust. I have lost count of the number of times they have been let down by quick fix cash in cow boys selling them ‘the dream package’. Harsh but true. These dream packages lack the nuance and understanding of individual clients, that Trainers pick up on by working so closely with their clients. I no longer refer clients to this Physio.

I think clients deserve teams. Where they are supported by brilliant individuals who are specialists in their area. Who can understand that collaborating, being in community, sharing and deepening our specialised knowledge, will have the potential to provide a much better safety net for our clients. It can be much stronger when a team are collectively responsible, giving flexibility for when members need to take time out, or if one relationship falters or any other unpredictable factors.

I believe we need to put an end to this ‘one stop shop’ approach some health practitioners have. We really don’t need to be able to offer it all, to be of value.