Wendy Eckenrod-Green, Ph. D., NCC weckenrodgre@radford.edu Dr. Lennie Scott-Webber, Ph. D., IIDA lscottwebber@radford.edu John Hildreth, M. A.

Wendy Eckenrod-Green, Ph. D., NCC weckenrodgre@radford.edu Dr. Lennie Scott-Webber, Ph. D., IIDA lscottwebber@radford.edu John Hildreth, M. A. jhildret@radford.edu

Welcome! Evaluations Introductions Who is in the Audience?

Counseling Office Space

Existing Research Sparse Dated In terms of the relationship between the counseling office environment and client outcomes (e.g., Miwa & Hanyu, 2006)

Research in the 1970 s Clark (1971) Average counselor s office space was 10 x 11 ½ Undesired traits Noise Small spaces Not being able to expand Poor ventilation Poor arrangement of the entire office suite

Research in the 1970 s Continued Charkin, Derlega, and Miller (1976) Counseling offices contain hard architecture Bright lights Concrete floors Cinder block walls

Research in the 1980 s Iwai, Churchill, and Cummings (1983) 90% had windows 75% had drapes and carpeting 49% had sound proof walls 44% had sound proof ceilings 30% had sound proof doors 11% of counselor s office doors had windows

Research Today Miwa and Hanyu (2006) Great Study Investigated soft surroundings, hard surroundings, lighting, and client disclosure Client s disclosed more in soft lighting. Significant difference

Settings and Clients Researched Settings College and university settings (e.g., Clark, 1971; Kerr, 1982; Miwa & Hanyu, 2006) Clients College students (e.g., Knight & Bair, 1976; Stone & Madden, 1976; Kerr, 1982; Miwa & Hanyu, 2006)

Problem Limitations to generalizing knowledge to other settings Mental Health Agencies and Organizations Non-profit Private practice Schools

Problem Continued Little information available to practitioners regarding how to set up the physical environment of the counseling office space Leaves task primarily to: Settings in which the counselor works The counselor 49% of counselors purchases own items (Eckenrod- Green, Diaz, Scott-Webber, 2010) Kassan (2008)

First Study Designed to investigate the physical characteristics and environment ACA members (N = 180), 20% return rate

Findings Counseling Office Structure: Carpeted Size varied 38%, greater than 8 x 10 31%, 8 x 10 13%, 8 x 8 11%, 8 x 6 Clark (1971) 10 x 11 ½ 8 ceilings Located on ground floor

Findings Continued Contents of Office Space One desk An office chair Two client chairs A computer Artwork

Recommendations From Participants to Promote Healing and Comfort Larger office space Break up work and counseling space Need more comfortable seating Couches Better lighting Windows Plants Calming paint color Relaxing music

Participants Report of Serious Issues Auditory privacy Lack of storage Lack of temperature control

Second Study. In Progress Information from study one Collaborated with the Department of Interior Design Designed current offices (info from study 1) Designed Ideal offices Sketchup Teamed up with Technology

Design Characteristics Elements to consider when designing a warm and inviting office space: Atmosphere (i.e., tone, mood, space, and place) Setting Privacy Wall Color Lighting Furniture Placement MAY IMPACT QUALITY OF INTERACTIONS

Atmosphere Plays a crucial role in establishing interactions (Krueger, 2005) Kerr (1982) Recognized the power of atmosphere Counselors need to be aware of the counseling office environment

Current Study Two current office spaces Two ideal office spaces Looking at structural elements Minimize effects of other variables lighting accessories wall color

Current 8 x 8 https://new.qualtrics.com/se/?sid=sv_bd eof0y1ywscakw&preview=survey&bran did=qualtrics 8 x 10 https://new.qualtrics.com/se/?sid=sv_6a 7xZEkgZ1ztuQY&Preview=Survey&BrandI D=Qualtrics

Ideal Designed to keep the needs of counselor in mind Structure and contents Six pack https://new.qualtrics.com/se/?sid=sv_6wq64obyvks TjsU&Preview=Survey&BrandID=Qualtrics 8 x 10 https://new.qualtrics.com/controlpanel/?clientaction=e ditsurvey&section=sv_eeyo234jgkjlmj6&subsection =&SubSubSection=undefined&TransactionID=5&Repe atable=0&t=350j2a

Implications Data driven Inform stakeholders Funding for better space Create a budget (moving in, remodeling) Building Design Architects Need for more research Participants (counselors and their clients) Manipulate additional variables (i.e., lighting)

Implications Continued Creating A Therapeutic Space Consult with an interior designer Consult an organizer Awareness when moving into a new space Paint Carpet Examine privacy Walls Ceiling Doors (block sound, cover windows)

Implications Continued Creating A Therapeutic Space Chairs Fabric, no hard surfaces Be aware of body types Tables (rounded corners, ottoman) Paint Green, blue, gray Flooring Carpet, rugs

Implications Continued Creating A Therapeutic Space Lighting Table and floor lamps Mirrors (reflection and refraction) No overhead florescent Fabrics for texture and patterns Curtains Pillows Throws Scent Aromatherapy Candles

Implications Continued Creating A Therapeutic Space Natural objects Stones, feathers, or plants Reproductions Art or other images of nature Music Soft, dissonant tones and rhythms increase anxiety (i.e., flight or fight response)

Furniture Placement Ease of interactions Ease of accessing a seat Proximcs Furniture Arrangment

Proxemics

Furniture Placements Promote conversation Assess space and the furniture Play around

Questions/Comments?