It seems a lot of barbers and beauticians are pulling double-duty these days.
A national survey by the appointment app Booksy found that 43% of hair professionals feel they function in two roles - first as a hairdresser but also as a counselor— supporting the mental well-being of their clients. Through the pandemic, they’ve increasingly become ‘unofficial therapists’.
The publication Psychology Today describes the phenomenon this way:
"Hairstylists are the go-to therapist for countless men and women, providing two services—a haircut and therapy—that everyone needs on a fairly regular basis."
According to the study, the most popular topics that clients discussed with their hair professionals were COVID-19, family, work, relationships, physical health, mental health, and sex.
Kovie Biakolo of the online magazine Thought Catalog not only confirms that hairstylists are playing both roles but has 17 reasons why they may be better than therapists, which include:
And the wisdom they dispel seems to resonate. According to the study, clients took the advice of barbers and beauticians at a higher rate (37%) than personal trainers (34%), or bartenders (29%).
Empathy also played a role according to the study, as clients sensed their hair professionals felt overworked (28%), stressed (27%), anxious (26%), or even depressed (22%).
To find your next hairdresser, or maybe an unofficial therapist, take a look at the appointment app Booksy. Customers can download it (available for Android and IOS) or visit marketplace www.booksy.com to find local services. Good news: there are over a dozen hair professionals in the Apopka area that you can book through this app. And many of the most savvy stylists use the Instagram book button for appointments as well. Check out the great style photos on Booksy's Instagram, and follow them for the latest tips, trends and creative ideas.
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