Does Your Office Design Support the Therapy Process? Designing for an Optimal Therapy Experience
During my seven years of graduate training in counseling psychology, I learned a whole lot about psychological theory, assessments, ethics, and psychotherapy. But I cannot recall any significant discussions about office design. It was very much absent from my educational experience; and not one I really considered seriously until recent years. Research has shown that the office space is integral to the treatment process, and not the cute afterthought we sometimes make it out to be. In fact, sometimes a client’s first impression of the therapy office can turn them away; or a different office may make them feel differently about a therapist they have been seeing for a while.
In order to understand why the therapy office holds so much weight, we can look to theories that address the impact physical environment has on our perceptions. Research shows that when we walk into a room, our brain does three things— identifies objects, maps them (e.g., couch to the left, dying plant on the right near the bookshelf), and associates them (e.g., dying plant associated with neglect and fear). These associations occur all at the same time and below our conscious level of awareness. They trigger what we call schemas— schemas are scripts we use to organize our world; and the features of an office design can trigger a range of different schemas (e.g., schemas for home, hospital settings). The schemas that gets triggered are the ones that closely resemble the experience we are currently having. So clients associate different meanings to the objects in the therapy room depending on their experiences. And the real meaning behind these objects is determined by the symbolic meaning these objects have to those perceiving it.
While it’s one thing to know that the office space is important, it is another thing to know what to do about it. Research has begun to uncover a number of elements that best support the therapy process. See a few below:
1. Make it Homey
Studies shows clients prefer soft, personalized office spaces over ones that feels hard and impersonal. By “soft” they mean things like upholstered chairs, wallpaper, curtains, throw rugs, plants, and table lamps. And personal elements refer to things like pictures of family members, photographs, knickknacks, books, and pillows. In other words, these are spaces that feel more like a traditional living room than an “office” or clinical setting. Clients have also shown a preference for orderly office environments. Not surprisingly, no one really wants to process intense emotional issues in a complex and cramped space. Interestingly, the research shows that clients’ experience with therapy improved with the softness, personalization, and neatness of the office. They felt safe in these places, like they could open up. And of course, homey office spaces also carry the added benefit of creating a more satisfying work environment for the therapist, which may inadvertently improve their skills as a therapist.
Other research shows the importance of the spatial design. In one study, clients were most attracted to therapists who did not place a desk or table between them and the therapist. It was thought that these barriers impeded communication, warmth, and acceptance. Thus, it can be said that the spatial design of the room can support connection.
me and my faux client (AKA my son)
2. Help Them See The Light
Sometimes overhead fluorescent lighting is all we have when we get an office space. And often the light is garish, causing the office to feel less than warm. This can explain why studies show clients prefer yellow or dim lighting instead of different color lights; and the warmer lighting was related to increased disclosure. If you are stuck with overhead lighting, try bringing in table lamps and/or lights on dimmers— it may go a long way to facilitate an environment where clients feel safe to open up.
Also let’s not forget the importance of sunlight. Sunlit rooms lift our moods while prolonged exposure to fluorescent lighting has been shown to dampen them. So if natural light is an option for you, take advantage of it when you can. If not, there are ways to get around it. (See number 3).
3. Go Natural
Nature just makes us feel better. It helps us restore our mental energy after we’ve drained it with extended focus or concentration. And studies have shown the healing benefits of nature. In fact, people prefer seeing wood-grain because it has been known to de-stress us. But if your office has no windows, you can still get that nature vibe. Artwork with nature scenes and bursts of sunlight, or faux plants that look real can provide similar benefits to the real thing. You might even consider putting a fish tank in your office— just like with artwork, it provides a positive distraction and a bit of relief during challenging sessions.
4. Show Them What You’re Working With
You’ve worked really hard for your diploma and certificates so why not let your clients know. I’ve been guilty of keeping my diplomas in boxes myself. But it can be reassuring when clients see signs of expertise around the room. It can let them know they’ve made the right choice. Even books (which goes back to the homey idea) can do more than provide comfort. It shows clients your interests; and gives them the opportunity to connect with you in positive ways, thus enhancing the client-therapist relationship. Note to therapists: clients looked to objects to gather clues about you and determine things like expertise, similar interests, and traits (e.g, warmth, distant ). In this way, the office design is secondary to the client-therapist relationship.
Of course, there is not one specific therapy office design than can guarantee a stellar therapy experience. But why not support the therapeutic process as much as you can by providing comfort and safety, and a chance for connection? I’d like to think of it as another form of communicating with the clients, and providing additional opportunities for rapport building. It’s the therapists’ job to function as a container for clients’ problems; and this “container” is not just emotional but extends to the physical environment as well.
