Getting the Basics for your Space

Video Transcription

[MUSIC PLAYING] Welcome to this lesson. Here we'll cover the values and vision that you have for your space. Thinking about your values and vision is directly tied into whether you pay a fee, rent, or own your space. The reason for this is because if one pays a fee or rents, he or she is somewhat limited in the modifications that can be made to the space.

So down to the specifics of this lesson-- we'll be covering the following-- values and vision for a space, desirable qualities, location, layout, office amenities, and financing the space.

Having a vision of what you want your space to look like is a good idea. So a Google search of "counseling office space" can give you some ideas. There's a wide range of ways that an office can look and function. You should spend time considering your space. Now your values also drive the type of amenities that will be important to have in an office.

So for example, simplicity is a value in my practice. My space is clean with natural light and comfortable and has great furniture and a few artistic pictures, artifacts from my travels, things like that. But really, that's it. It's not cluttered. It's pretty simple. The vision that I had matched well with my office mates, also, which includes natural light, comfort, and good colors.

Here are a few desirable qualities for counseling offices-- now this isn't a comprehensive list, however-- a quiet location, good soundproofing between rooms, comfortable furniture, friendly office staff, confidential client check in and out. Soundproofing is a super important quality, as confidentiality is a must, and noise distractions can be intrusive for both the client and the counselor. So make sure that sound issues can either be managed by noise buffering machines or that there is adequate space for soundproofing between offices, kitchens, or waiting areas.

Consideration of office location will be important for gaining some clients. What I mean by this is that where you pick your location may impact who comes to see you. A location that's too public could pose privacy issues for the client. An office on the main street of a small downtown-- in a small town could deter potential clients who live locally.

For example, why, hey, Rob, why, what are you doing downtown in the middle of the day? Well, um-- too remote of a location causes difficulties, too. Think about public transportation options for clients who just don't want to drive all the way out to see you. Now no matter how amazing of a counselor that you are, clients do have lives to live and limits that will keep them from visiting your therapy shack way on the outskirts of Mayberry.

The layout of the office space is an important consideration for counselor safety and client comfort. Here are some considerations. It's important to have enough chairs and/or couches in the waiting room, as well as in the counseling office. There should be enough seating to accommodate a family, even if the counselor plans to only see individuals. This is in case the entire family presents, even if just for one session. One consideration regarding furniture is consider leather or vinyl seating so that it can easily be wiped off.

Both the waiting room, as well as the counseling office, needs to have enough outlets to accommodate all office equipment, lighting, and technology. The office and waiting room both need enough lighting and desks, tables, and end tables. While they may not be essential, they are helpful. There's also got to be an appropriate bathroom and a waiting room.

Now special considerations need to be made for layouts of play or art therapy rooms. All parties in the counseling room need unimpeded access to the door. Some health insurance companies require that you specify if you have a disability accessible office. Not having one can limit your client potential.

So unless you are a minimalist and like stark places and sitting on floors, office furniture is essential. But there are many other items that may be important to consider, as well. Many of these items can be purchased for startup purposes but also can be purchased over time as a counselor has additional income. Now office equipment may include-- computers, printer, fax or online fax, scanner, phones, shredder, locked file cabinet, sound machines, bookshelves.

Waiting room amenities may include-- a coffee pot, a water cooler, small refrigerator, music, TV, magazines, clipboards, new client paperwork packets, educational brochures, Wi-Fi, cell phone chargers, and wall art. Now waiting room amenities all help to set an initial impression and provide for the clients' needs and comfort.

Now financing startup costs can seem overwhelming and expensive, but there are ways to make startup costs manageable. Cost-saving techniques do exist, such as using equipment and furnishings from home, from friends and family, from garage sales, or from the thrift store, even. Some startup items can depend on the counselor's creativity, such as making his or her own art for wall hangings, getting free handouts from SAMSA or NIMH.

Now don't feel compelled to get everything right away. Items can be purchased over time with a counselor investing in the items that matter most first. Items purchased first will depend on a counselor's values. And creating a certain atmosphere can be priority and a counselor may first be gathering furnishings, paint, and art. Comfort may be more important to somebody else, and they might be gathering other things like coffee and a refrigerator and quality chairs. Those might be first on their to-do list.

So here's what we covered in this lesson-- first, values and vision for a space; desirable qualities; location; layout; office amenities; financing a space.

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