Frequently Asked Questions Everything you need to know before booking with BRT Wellbeing. Whether you are interested in massage, fitness coaching, wellbeing mentoring or ongoing support, these frequently asked questions will help you understand what to expect. About BRT Wellbeing - What is BRT Wellbeing? BRT Wellbeing is a person-centred wellbeing service based in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire. Through our Recover, Move and Thrive approach, we bring together massage and restorative therapies, fitness and movement coaching, and practical wellbeing support. What is the BRT Method? The BRT Method is our flexible approach to supporting your body, mind and everyday life. It is built around three connected areas: - Recover — massage, bodywork, relaxation and recovery - Move — strength, fitness, mobility and movement - Thrive — wellbeing mentoring, reflection and sustainable everyday change You can begin with the area that feels most relevant to you. Your support can adapt as your needs change. Who is BRT Wellbeing for? We support adults with a wide range of needs, including people who: - Feel stressed, overwhelmed or burnt out - Experience muscular tension or discomfort - Want to rest and reconnect with their body - Are returning to exercise after time away - Want to build strength, mobility or confidence - Need support through a life transition - Want to make realistic, sustainable changes You do not need to be fit, confident or certain about what you need before contacting us. Where are you based? BRT Wellbeing is based in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire. Some services are also available online, at selected venues or at a client’s home. The available location will be shown when you book. Are your practitioners qualified and insured? Yes. Our practitioners are professionally qualified and fully insured for the services they provide. You can learn more about their experience and qualifications on our Meet the Team page. Choosing Your Support I’m not sure whether I need Recover, Move or Thrive. What should I choose? Start by thinking about how you would like to feel. Choose Recover if you want to rest, release physical tension or feel more comfortable in your body. Choose Move if you want to build strength, improve mobility or feel more confident exercising. Choose Thrive if you feel overwhelmed, disconnected or ready to make positive changes in your everyday life. If you are still unsure, contact us and we will help you find the most suitable starting point. Can I combine different types of support? Yes. Recover, Move and Thrive are designed to work independently or together. For example, you might begin with massage to support recovery, move into gentle strength coaching and later use wellbeing mentoring to help you create more sustainable routines. There is no fixed journey. Your support can change with you. Will you tell me if a service is not suitable for me? Yes. We care more about helping you find appropriate support than placing you into a particular service. If we believe another practitioner, healthcare professional or type of support would be more suitable, we will explain this honestly. Recover: Massage and Restorative Therapies What massage treatments do you offer? Our Recover services currently include: - Upper Body Massage - Lower Body Massage - Full Body Massage - Deep Tissue Massage - Hot Stone Massage - Face, Scalp and Nervous System Reset - Restorative Facial and Scalp Massage We also offer selected complementary therapies, including reflexology, Reiki and crystal healing. Please visit our Recover page for current durations, prices and availability. How do I choose the right massage? An Upper Body Massage is helpful if you mainly hold tension around your back, shoulders, neck, arms or head. A Full Body Massage provides a longer, flowing treatment focused on relaxation and overall wellbeing. Deep Tissue Massage uses firmer, more focused pressure for people who prefer deeper work. Hot Stone Massage combines massage with the gentle warmth of heated stones. If you are unsure, choose the treatment that sounds closest to your needs and tell us how you are feeling during your consultation. Your treatment will be tailored to you. What happens during my first massage? Before your treatment, your practitioner will ask about your health, comfort, areas of tension and what you would like from the session. The treatment, pressure and areas worked will be adapted to your needs. Your comfort, privacy and dignity will always be prioritised. You can ask questions, request changes or stop the treatment at any time. Do I need to undress for a massage? This depends on the treatment and the areas being worked on. Your practitioner will explain what clothing needs to be removed and will leave the room while you get ready. Towels and professional draping will be used throughout the treatment. You should only undress to the level at which you feel comfortable. Can I talk during my treatment? Yes. Some clients prefer to relax quietly or fall asleep, while others find it helpful to talk. Both are completely welcome. Your session is your space, and there is no expectation to behave in a particular way. Is massage suitable if I have a medical condition? This depends on the condition and your current health. Please tell us about any medical conditions, injuries, medications, allergies, pregnancy, recent surgery or ongoing treatment before your appointment. We may need to adapt your treatment, postpone it or ask you to obtain advice from an appropriate healthcare professional before continuing. Can massage treat a medical condition? Massage may help support relaxation, muscular comfort, recovery and general wellbeing, but it does not diagnose, cure or replace medical treatment. Please speak to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional if you have new, unexplained, severe or worsening symptoms. Move: Fitness and Movement Do I need to be fit before starting? No. You do not need to be fit, experienced or confident before working with us. Your sessions will be adapted to your current ability, mobility, health, experience and goals. The aim is to help you progress safely and consistently from your own starting point. What happens during an initial fitness consultation? Your initial consultation gives you and Richard time to discuss: - Your health and lifestyle - Your previous experience with exercise - Your goals - Any injuries or limitations - Your confidence and preferences - The most suitable type of support A gentle movement assessment may also be included where appropriate. What can fitness coaching support me with? Fitness coaching can help you work towards goals such as: - Building strength - Improving mobility and movement - Feeling more confident exercising - Developing a consistent routine - Improving general fitness - Learning safe lifting techniques - Supporting weight-management goals - Returning to exercise after time away Results vary between individuals and depend on factors such as health, consistency, recovery, nutrition and lifestyle. Where do fitness sessions take place? Depending on the service selected, sessions may take place at our private fitness space, a designated venue, online or at your home within the stated travel area. Please check the location shown on the individual service before booking. Do you offer group sessions? Yes. Selected strength, movement and weightlifting sessions are available in small-group settings. Group sizes, venues and session times vary, so please check the current Move or booking page for the latest information. What should I wear? Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely, supportive trainers and bring some water. Your coach will let you know if you need anything else for a particular session. Thrive: Wellbeing Support What is wellbeing mentoring? Wellbeing mentoring provides a calm, supportive space to reflect on how you are feeling, identify what may be getting in your way and make practical changes in your everyday life. Sessions may explore areas such as: - Stress and overwhelm - Burnout and depleted energy - Boundaries - Routines and self-care - Confidence - Life transitions - Reconnecting with yourself - Creating manageable next steps Is wellbeing mentoring the same as counselling or therapy? No. Wellbeing mentoring is not counselling, psychotherapy or medical treatment. It focuses on reflection, practical support and helping you move towards realistic changes. If you need specialist mental-health or therapeutic support, we may encourage you to contact an appropriately qualified professional. Are mentoring sessions confidential? Your privacy is important to us, and personal information will be treated respectfully and confidentially. There may be limited exceptions where we are legally or professionally required to act because of a serious safeguarding concern or immediate risk of harm. These boundaries will be explained before your session. What is a Walk & Reset session? Walk & Reset is a gentle outdoor wellbeing session combining walking, fresh air, grounding techniques, breathing and supportive conversation. It may be suitable if you feel overwhelmed, mentally tired, stuck in your thoughts or simply need space away from everyday demands. It is not a fitness test, and the pace will be adapted where possible. Memberships Do you offer monthly memberships? Yes. We offer selected Recover, Move and combined memberships for people who want regular support and a more consistent wellbeing routine. Please visit our Memberships section for the current plans, prices and inclusions. How do I choose the right membership? Consider which type of support you would like most regularly: - Choose a Recover membership for regular massage and physical recovery. - Choose a Move membership for consistent fitness or strength coaching. - Choose a combined membership if you would benefit from both movement and massage. Contact us before joining if you are unsure which option is best for you. Can I cancel my membership? Cancellation, booking, missed-session and credit terms depend on the membership selected. Please read the current membership terms carefully before purchasing or contact us if you would like anything clarified. Workplaces and Community Do you provide workplace wellbeing services? Yes. We work with employers to provide tailored workplace wellbeing support, including seated massage, movement and mobility sessions, wellbeing events and ongoing employee support. Visit our BRT for Work page to start a conversation about your organisation. Do you work with community organisations? Yes. We welcome conversations with care homes, community groups, charities, clubs and other local organisations within Stroud District and surrounding areas. Our sessions can be adapted around the needs, abilities and setting of the people being supported. Visit our BRT for Community page to make a partnership enquiry. Booking, Payments and Practical Information How do I book? Select Book a Session and use the filters to search by Recover, Move or Thrive, practitioner, service, location or date. Once you select your service, you will be shown the available locations, dates and times. How much do sessions cost? Prices vary depending on the service, practitioner and session length. Current prices are displayed on our pathway and booking pages. Please refer to the live booking information for the most up-to-date pricing. What if I feel nervous about booking? Feeling nervous before trying something new is completely understandable. You will be met with warmth, respect and no judgement. You do not need to arrive feeling confident or have everything figured out. We will meet you where you are. What if I need to cancel or rearrange? Please give us as much notice as possible if you need to change your appointment. Cancellation and missed-appointment terms will be provided during booking. Late cancellations or missed appointments may be charged in accordance with the applicable policy. What if I have accessibility requirements? Please contact us before booking to discuss any mobility, communication, sensory or other accessibility needs. We will explain what adjustments may be possible and whether the location and service are suitable for you. Health and Safety Do I need medical clearance before starting? Not everyone needs medical clearance. However, you must tell us if you have a medical condition, injury, chronic pain, recent surgery, pregnancy, heart condition, uncontrolled blood pressure or another concern that may affect massage or exercise. Depending on your circumstances, we may ask you to seek advice or clearance from an appropriate healthcare professional. Can BRT diagnose or treat health conditions? No. BRT Wellbeing does not diagnose medical conditions or replace care from a GP, physiotherapist, counsellor, psychologist or another regulated healthcare professional. Our services are intended to support general wellbeing, movement, relaxation, confidence and healthy routines alongside appropriate medical care. What should I do if I need urgent help? BRT Wellbeing does not provide emergency medical or mental-health support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent medical advice in the UK, contact NHS 111. If you are experiencing a mental-health crisis, contact an appropriate crisis service or seek urgent professional support. Still Have Questions? If you are unsure which service is right for you, please get in touch. We will listen to what you need and help you identify the most suitable next step. Book a Session Contact BRT Wellbeing