Whats 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 de- sign. 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, sound- proofing, 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 therapeu- tic 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 differ- ences upon the experience of therapy rooms.

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