Client Reference System Explained

Start building references from your first meetings:

• Be a good client - Respectful, punctual, and follow all guidelines
• Ask politely - After a good meeting, ask if they'd be willing to be a reference
• Keep in touch - Maintain professional relationships with references
• Update contact info - Ensure you have current contact details for references

When contacting a new provider:

• Mention your references in your initial message
• Provide provider names and contact methods
• Let your references know they may be contacted
• Have at least 2 references ready if possible

• Ask first - Don't assume someone will be your reference
• Keep it professional - References are for screening, not personal details
• Don't overuse - Don't contact references too frequently
• Be grateful - A thank you goes a long way
• Stay in good standing - One bad review can damage all your references

Our platform makes sharing references easy:

• Go to your Client Dashboard
• View your vouches in the References section
• Click "Share References" to select which providers can view them
• You control who sees your reference list

When to vouch for a client:

• Positive experience - The meeting went well
• Respectful behavior - They followed boundaries
• Good communication - Easy to schedule with
• Reliable - Showed up on time with correct compensation

When NOT to vouch:

• They were pushy about boundaries
• Poor hygiene or preparedness
• Problematic behavior
• You're uncertain about them

When a client provides references:

• Verify the provider exists - Check their profile/website
• Contact through official channels - Use known contact methods
• Ask specific questions:
  • When did you see this client?
  • Were they respectful of boundaries?
  • Would you see them again?
  • Any concerns I should know about?
• Trust your instincts - References are one part of screening

When another provider contacts you:

• Verify it's a legitimate provider asking
• Be honest about your experience
• Stick to relevant safety information
• Don't share explicit details about sessions
• It's okay to say you'd rather not provide a reference

You can decline to be a reference if:

• You don't remember the client well enough
• You had a negative or neutral experience
• You're too busy to respond to inquiries
• The client has changed (time passed, behavior changed)

• Control your list - Only share references you're comfortable with
• Update as needed - Remove providers who've retired or you've lost touch with
• Anonymous options - Some screening services don't require disclosing specific names
• P411 alternative - Third-party screening protects specific provider names

• You choose - It's your decision whether to give references
• Verify askers - Make sure inquiries come from real providers
• Keep it brief - Share only relevant safety information
• Document communications - Keep records of reference requests

New clients can still get seen through:

• Employment verification - Work email, LinkedIn
• ID verification - Government ID
• Deposits - Pay a non-refundable deposit
• P411 or similar - Join a screening service first
• Newbie-friendly providers - Some providers specialize in first-timers

If your references have retired or aren't responding:

• Explain the situation to new providers
• Offer alternative verification
• Start building new references
• Consider P411 for consistent screening

If you believe a reference was unfair:

• Reflect honestly on what happened
• Reach out to the provider professionally
• Learn from the experience
• Build new positive references
• Focus on being a better client going forward

Most providers ask for 2-3 references. Having more is helpful as some may be unavailable when contacted. Quality matters more than quantity.

References from the last 6-12 months are generally preferred. Very old references may not be accepted as providers may not remember you or may have retired.

Yes, but be considerate. If a reference gets too many inquiries about you, they may ask you to find alternatives. It's good to have 4-5 references and rotate them.

Vouches remain on your profile indefinitely, but providers may give more weight to recent ones. The date of each vouch is visible.

Not everyone is comfortable being a reference, and that's okay. Thank them for their time and look for references elsewhere. Don't pressure anyone.