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Therapy clinic guest post! Jess Levine from Space To Be You, is an experienced writer who loves creating articles that can benefit others. She has worked as a freelance writer in the past making informative articles and fascinating stories. She has extensive knowledge in a variety of fields such as healthcare, technology, business, finance, marketing, personal development, and more.
Did you know that the look and design of your therapy office affects your client’s first impression of you? Your clients may not be interior designers, but they’ll know a safe, clean space when they walk into one. That’s why your therapy clinic should be arranged orderly, and invite a cozy and calm atmosphere to make your clients feel comfortable.
So, how can you achieve a great design without draining your pockets? Here are some tips for you:
Use Neutral Colors and Themes
You may always go with your personal preferences, but therapy clinics are best designed with neutral colors and themes. This is true, especially if you’re seeing clients who have anxiety or are Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) who might get triggered with bold colors and patterns.
With that in mind, you have to choose wall colors, furniture, and pieces that are not bright-colored nor dark-colored. Dark colors will only amplify negative emotions, and that’s not what your clients need when they visit your clinic. Bright whites are not recommended either, especially for HSPs.
So as much as possible, choose a color theme with off-whites, beige, soft, and earthly tones. Soft and neutral colors exude a calm and relaxed vibe, and it helps your clients get comfortable and settled into your space.
Aside from that, incorporate minimalism in your office. Avoid excessive decors and trinkets as these may only distract your clients. Just stick to the basics. A couch, coffee table, side table, desk, bookshelf, and lounge chair are already enough.
You may, of course, add accents like carpets and decorative pieces, but make sure they match with the neutral colors and theme of your clinic. Being minimalist also helps you save on expenses in decorating or designing your therapy clinic.
Find Bargain Prices or Shop in Discount Stores
Looking for a comfortable couch and lounge seats doesn’t have to be expensive. You can still find stylish, comfortable, and high-quality sets without spending a fortune. You just have to look for them in the right places.
First, you can go through your local discount stores or clearance shops and look for great bargains. Second, you can scour online listings, like Facebook’s Marketplace for example, and find good deals in your area. You might find local folks who are trying to dispose of their furniture for various reasons, and you’ll be surprised that most of them are still in good condition, or are just in need of some re-upholstering.
Maximize Natural Light
Adding artificial lighting to your office could come at an expense, but you can minimize this need if you utilize natural light. This means, however, that you have to install huge windows in your office. But when you do so, make sure you can keep the privacy of your space as well. This means you must add blinds or curtains to avoid being too visible from the outside.
If you’re meeting clients in the late afternoon or evening, then adequate lighting is a must. Again, avoid installing very bright lights and go for soft, warm lights to help create a cozy atmosphere in your clinic, even during the evening.
Add House Plants
Indoor plants can improve the air quality of your clinic, and it’s an affordable way to spruce up the corners too. The green foliage of indoor plants can be used to accentuate your clinic, and the best part is, they are not too overwhelming—even for HSPs.
The challenge with indoor plants, however, is the care and maintenance you should provide them. Technically, house plants are easy to care for. They don’t even need to be watered and fertilized frequently. However, they do need some sunlight. As much as possible, place your plants near the window where it could get some sunshine during the morning or afternoon.
Display Certificates and Other Necessary Credentials
Clients need to know if you have the proper training, knowledge, and credentials to be able to provide quality therapy services. Displaying your certificates and credentials on a visible area in your clinic is a great way to let them know about that.
This is not about bragging, of course. Displaying your credentials where they are easily seen helps your clients and visitors know that you are a capable therapist. Also they don’t even have to ask personally about it. People with anxiety would be grateful. As they won’t have to be anxiously thinking about whether or not asking such questions is appropriate. It helps avoid awkward conversations for them too.
Overall, a well-designed therapy clinic will help clients feel at ease during their visits. This is very important in your work because they need to be able to open up. In order to talk about their concerns confidently and without distraction. Remember, your clinic should be their safe space.
Thanks Jess! Don’t forget to check out her company, Space To Be You.
For more ways to save money, click here.