What’s in a therapy room?—A mixed‐methods study exploring clients’ and therapists’ views and experiences of the physical environment of the therapy room

Abstract

Aim and objectives To explore the importance of the physical space of therapy rooms (used for counselling/psychotherapy) to clients and therapists. To identify which aspects of therapy rooms are most important to clients and therapists and how these aspects contribute to an environment that is conducive or hindering to the therapy process. Method This was a mixed‐methods study, using a concurrent triangulation design. Data were gathered using an online survey and semi‐structured interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using statistical analysis and thematic analysis, respectively. Participants were twenty‐four clients who had experienced counselling or psychotherapy and twenty‐one qualified therapists (psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists). Findings From the survey data, comfortable seating and room temperature, soundproofing, no interruptions and accessibility of the room were identified as most important to clients and therapists. Participants reported that feeling physically comfortable and safe in a room enabled a greater engagement with the therapeutic process. Rooms with a ‘clinical’ appearance were described as unhelpful. From the interview data, themes identified were as follows: ‘comfort’, ‘the appearance and meaning of the room’ and ‘the room as a workspace’. Conclusions The physical environment of the therapy room can play an important role in clients feeling comfortable and able to engage. It is important to consider the appropriateness of rooms for particular client groups/issues and consult with clients and therapists about therapy rooms. Further research is needed into the interaction between clients’ presenting issues and the room and the effect of cultural differences upon the experience of therapy rooms.

Client and Therapists’ Subjective Understanding of an Ideal Therapy Room: A Divergent Reflection of Experience

“…The European Journal of Counselling Psychology distance, brightness/colourfulness, nice viewing, room meaning, and focus points fit within the existing theoretical notion of the spatial context for cognitive agents interacting with the spatial environment (Freksa et al, 2005). In line with our findings, a recent study by Sinclair (2020) reported comfortable seating, room temperature, no interruptions, and accessibility of the room as important elements/attributes of a therapy room that aid engagement and outcome of therapy. Similarly, our findings are supported by the exploratory study conducted by Sanders & Lehmann (2019) which reported that the desire for a sense of physical and emotional comfort was a major factor influencing a client's preference in a therapy room.…”

“…Furthermore, Anthony and Watkins (2002) address how the environment and the client interact with objects sometimes triggering emotional memories that become relevant to the therapeutic endeavor. In a mixedmethods study conducted by Sinclair (2020), the author reported that comfortable seating and room temperature, soundproofing, no interruptions, and room accessibility were identified as the most critical aspects of the physical space to clients and therapists. The qualitative themes further showed that the participants reported 'comfort,' 'the appearance and meaning of the room,' and 'the room as a workspace' as what they considered helpful.…”

Space and Well-Being in High Security Environments

“…The characteristics of spaces in which therapies are conducted could improve the psychotherapeutic process and patient well-being. Sinclair ( 41 ) explored the views and experiences of 24 clients and 21 therapists on the physical environment of the therapy room for counseling and psychotherapy. Comfortable seating and a comfortable room temperature, soundproofing, no interruptions and accessibility of the room were ranked as most important by clients and therapists.…”