5th August 2024
There is no doubt that creating a safe and comfortable environment is extremely important for any therapy/counselling session, and a suitable environment establishes a foundation for practical therapeutic work, fosters trust and rapport between the therapist and client, and enhances the overall therapeutic outcomes.
A safe and suitable environment for therapy can facilitate emotional expression, reduce anxiety, support exploration and reflection, and encourage effective communication, and there is no doubt that some forms of therapy, such as trauma informed therapy as an example, absolutely require all of the above in order for the sessions to be effective and safe.
However, in many cases effective counselling and therapy can be successfully delivered in environments and settings which would not normally be considered as ‘traditional’.
In my practice I have increasingly delivered effective face to face solution focused therapy sessions in a variety of settings including cafes/coffee shops, bars and hotel reception areas, and even on a railway station platform! Outside spaces such as parks and gardens can also be extremely effective environments for therapeutic discussions, with the natural effects of being surrounded by the sounds, smells and colours of the natural world can really enhance the positivity of the therapeutic work.
The key to all of this is what helps the client to feel able to focus and concentrate on what is important to them, and as such the therapist should look to adapt their approach to suit the needs of the client, and not be tied to a rigid view of what they think works best.
We all know that you can be alone in a crowd, and it is possible to have a really in-depth personal discussion whilst surrounded by others who are focusing on their own lives and not interested in what you may be talking with the client about.
Leave a Reply