Design your therapist's office for a perfect first impression

As therapists, most of us know that we often don't have much say in the space we work in when we're renting or working as part of a larger practice (I know I didn’t). However, there are plenty of smaller things we can actually do when we allow ourselves a little space to think about it. 

If you need a little help transforming your space to create a welcoming, comfortable feeling that will set the tone for the therapy itself, read on for my strongest tips for good therapist office decor.

While we most likely don’t have thousands to spend on a professional interior designer to help us create the perfect therapy office, it's proven that "setting" does impact how we feel. Research shows that high ceilings, sunny colors, and plants can improve mood and help create a sense of psychological safety. 

The design essentials

Whatever your personal style, there are some foundational elements to consider when creating a warm, supportive space. The office shouldn’t hinder a client’s ability to open up or feel secure and comfortable. If you have solo control over the design, you can ensure that to the max, as well as even consider your own personal taste and preferences. If you share your space, it might be a little trickier, but worry not – below are some things you can adjust without renovations or major construction.

The surprising power of your color scheme

Color psychology has shown that there are many associations between various colors, feelings, and sectors. It’s what marketing and branding have been utilizing for years! When it comes to your therapy space and color, your space should support the clients’ internal work and process, rather than stealing too much attention away from the inner work they are there to do. 

Consider not just the wall color, but an entire color palette for your space! This means picking about two or three colors that work with the furniture, shades, or sofa you already have in there. Or, if you’re starting from scratch, congratulations! You get to pick your favorites. An ideal combination is one saturated color and two lighter, more neutral tones. 

The smaller your office, the more you should consider white or cream as your base color. Darker colors will make the room feel smaller and are at risk of being too much. The gentler the tone, the safer you’re likely to be. Neutral colors are great, and you can even use white and beige in combination with a secondary, brighter color palette that can be easily introduced through accessories.

That said, red and orange are two colors I would use very thoughtfully in therapist offices. 

Red is a color associated with strong negative emotions, including aggression. It can also trigger appetite, impulsiveness, and a sense of urgency. In addition, red can also induce hunger. The last thing you want is to have a client distracted by a sudden urge to snack in the middle of a session. And, while orange may seem like an optimistic or energizing color, this energetic shade triggers many of the anxiety-enduring feelings of red.

That said, certain tones, when used thoughtfully, can feel warm and energizing in trauma-informed spaces. It’s also important to keep in mind that the impact of color is also cultural and subjective, so responses can vary widely. Rather than avoiding red and yellow completely, it might be better to use them sparingly and intentionally. 

Another color I would use with caution in therapy office design is grey. Although it may seem like a neutral color, grey can have a very clinical look that makes clients feel uneasy. Shades of grey have also been found to make people feel empty and depressed. 

I personally like white, lavender-type purple, and blue for therapy offices. Lavender-type shades of purple evoke calmness and creativity, while blue evokes feelings of comfort, freshness, and serenity. Some blue hues also have a "rebirth" element to them because they pull up thoughts of the water or the ocean. And you can add white to any of these as a "blank slate" option; it tends to evoke thoughts of cleanliness and calmness. 

The game-changer every therapist's office needs: flexible lighting

You don’t want your therapy space to feel like an interrogation room! Try soft, adjustable lighting instead, or consider smart lighting – you can adjust the hue. Another way to improve your lighting is by adding lamps. Once upon a time, I had success with floor lamps at eye level. These allowed clients to see my face more clearly when I had an office that had overhead lights that created shadows. If your landlord currently has fluorescent fixtures, talk to them about upgrading. Fluorescent fixtures can make you and your clients "space out" more easily, since they don’t contain the full spectrum of colors that you get with natural sunlight or LED lights which causes a misfiring between the brain and eyes, leading to distraction. 

Furniture should be comfortable and sturdy because safe spaces have solid foundations 

This is by far one of the toughest categories. Furniture should be comfortable and cozy without feeling like it's swallowing up your clients. Buying some quality furniture is part of the cost of doing business as a therapist. Here's my cheat sheet for therapy office furniture ideas:

• Make the space feel friendly and personal with rugs, pillows, and curtains.
  
• Choose a soft, comfortable couch that clients can relax on without feeling like they are being pushed into a marshmallow. While I like the look of a leather/faux leather couch, a reputation for creating awkward noises at the worst time has caused me to swear them off! Select an upholstered fabric in a neutral color.
  
• Add a coffee table or side table. These create spaces where clients can put their drinks or belongings. I also like them for stacking any paperwork or resources I'll be sharing with the client ahead of time to ensure I don't forget about them.
  
• Your furniture is also important! Pick a supportive, cushioned office chair that allows you to sit fully upright to showcase an attentive posture to your clients! Many therapists inadvertently give off "not engaged" cues by sitting in unsupportive office chairs.
• Consider giving yourself the option to switch between a desk chair and an armchair throughout the day, depending on whether you'd like to be separated from a client by your desk or seated beside them.

Here are 8 of my tried and tested tips 

1. Check if sounds carry

You may be scrambling to get your office ready because you're anticipating a surge in new clients after opening your practice. My big tip is to try to get there early enough in the process to know whether it’s truly quiet and private, and if not, incorporate some kind of soundproofing in your office. Therapy requires absolute privacy and confidentiality, but in certain spaces, that can be affected, and you may not know until you spend your first full day there. It’s possible to prepare by hanging soundproofing panels on the walls or placing a radio in the waiting room – this can block out conversations from parents or partners who may be waiting outside.

Little details also go a long way in a therapist's office. Here are my tips for pulling together calming therapist office decor

2. Add a plant or two

Plants are my favorite hacks for making a therapy office feel warm and welcoming. No need to make your clients feel like they've stepped into the jungle. I personally love the peace lily, money tree, and ZZ plant because they're pretty easy to take care of compared to more complex greenery. In addition to livening up a space, plants also boost mood. In studies, indoor plants in living and working environments have been shown to elicit positive emotion and reduce mental stress.

3. Professional, but not too clinical

I don't like a sterile therapist's office. It can make clients feel like they're there to be evaluated. By creating a home-like, welcoming space with little sprinklings of your personality, you remind clients that they are there to have a truly human experience. That means avoiding bare-bones IKEA-type furniture. I like warm, eclectic pieces.

4. Use scents on occasion

There's a fine line between a nice, inviting smell and dousing your office in fragrance. We need to be considerate of any allergies or aversions that clients may have. It’s also a good idea to avoid strong scents in order to support clients with sensory sensitivities or asthma, and consider that smell can also be a trigger for trauma clients. However, if you already know your client list, you could try mint essential oils or a little bit of scented fabric spray to freshen your office in the middle of the day. Mint has always been my go-to fragrance. Its benefits for memory and learning may be helpful during therapy. And let’s not forget that just opening the windows between clients can be helpful too.

5. Display meaningful artwork 

Therapy office wall decor is a bit of a controversial topic. I've heard some therapists say they avoid wall art because they think it's distracting. Personally, I think some colorful, insightful art for therapy office can help a client feel relaxed, open up pathways to connection, and provide visual focal points at times when the client needs to pause on a thought. I prefer calming, neutral artwork. In some cases, it might be appropriate to add therapy-themed artwork or posters. For therapists working with children, colorful posters with encouraging words can show that this is a welcoming environment.

6. Add a soft carpet or rug

A plush rug is nice for grounding! I personally like an oval or circular rug because it can also make the couch or chair area feel like a "talking circle."

7. Build a bookshelf

A colleague of mine had a bookshelf in her office that held books that she loaned out to clients. I always loved this idea. She also kept some of her favorite reference materials there. Like artwork, a bookshelf can provide an interesting focal point when clients need to collect their thoughts.

8. Don't forget items for the comfort of your clients

Don't forget that you're "hosting" your clients. In addition to honing in on calming therapist office decor, consider some essentials for the comfort of your clients. Here are some comfort staples for making sure your clients always feel taken care of:

• Tissues that are displayed for easy grabbing on an end table or coffee table. Don't make them ask for a tissue!
• Water bubbler or small fridge with bottled water.
• Station for charging devices. If a client is concerned about missing an important call or text from their children or family, the distraction will harm the quality of the session.
• A coffee/tea station placed near the entry.
• Fidget toys and other sensory tools.

Two important things to keep in mind 

When designing your office, if you do have a choice over the office set up, I’d strongly consider also making sure that you’ve thought about the below:

• How your therapeutic modality will influence your design choice - Different therapeutic approaches require different spatial considerations. For example, play therapists will need space for toys or even sand trays. EMDR therapists often use specific furniture setups, and somatic therapists and coaches may want more space for movement.
  
• Consider accessibility - Keep in mind that most office spaces are required to be compliant with the ADA, or the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may want to go beyond that and take steps to make your office even more accessible by including seating for clients with disabilities and other modifications. 

Final thoughts on creating a welcoming therapist's office

Ultimately, you want to enjoy the space you work in. Design your office in a way that subtly reflects your taste and values without overwhelming visitors with your personality. A space that feels welcoming and professional, rather than overly personal, helps clients feel comfortable and focused.

Feeling overwhelmed? Leave more time for designing your ideal office by switching to Upheal for your therapy notes. It can help you write notes 90% faster and save you up to 6 hours a week on documentation. Most importantly, using Upheal's AI-generated notes can empower you to stay more present during sessions, so you can be truly attuned during sessions. After all, no amount of amazing therapist office décor can replace your undivided attention. Try it today.