Choosing the Best Space for Client Sessions: Home vs. Office
Written on
Chapter 1: The Setting for Client Sessions
The decision of where to meet clients—whether in a personal space or a professional office—can greatly impact both the therapist and the clients. Personally, I choose to conduct my sessions at home, where I have a dedicated and spacious office that can even accommodate group sessions.
At times, I feel like an outsider for this choice. Most of my peers prefer renting office spaces, and while online consultations have gained popularity, they still differ from in-person interactions. My journey to this decision was gradual and informed by experience. Before the pandemic, I rented an office in Chinatown one day a week, while conducting sessions at home the remaining days.
I found that I was much less comfortable in a rented office, which affected my overall effectiveness. Interestingly, I observed that the clients I saw in Chinatown were less likely to engage in long-term therapy, with one notable exception.
When meeting with clients, I typically adhere to scheduled time limits but am flexible enough to extend sessions by a few minutes if needed. In a rented office, however, the strict timing often left me feeling rushed and incomplete, as sessions had to conclude precisely at 58 or 59 minutes. My natural pace is slower, and this pressure felt stifling.
During the pandemic, when physical offices closed, I transitioned to virtual appointments, but I continued seeing clients in person—this time exclusively at home. As restrictions eased, I found the hassle of navigating masks and sanitization protocols unappealing, prompting my complete shift to home-based sessions.
Section 1.1: Challenges of Working from Home
Initially, I felt self-conscious when clients visited my home and encountered my personal belongings, particularly in shared spaces like the bathroom. Fortunately, this discomfort has faded over time. I find myself venturing out less frequently and not spending much time in the city center. Whenever possible, I seek to change my environment—whether through bike rides, outings, or vacations. I briefly entertained the idea of exploring cities in the Golden Ring, but trips to Vladimir and Suzdal left me somewhat underwhelmed; I prefer mountainous landscapes over the flat Russian countryside.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Advantages of a Home Office
The flexibility of my work schedule has been a significant benefit of conducting sessions at home. I can take breaks between appointments, enjoy homemade meals, and process the emotions and experiences from my sessions. This relaxed atmosphere translates into improved work quality, as I now have more clients engaging in long-term therapy and overall productivity has increased.
Hosting clients in my space allows me to offer them refreshments like tea and coffee, which I genuinely enjoy doing. This hospitable approach seems to resonate well with clients, enhancing their experience.
Ultimately, I believe every psychologist should select the setting that aligns best with their personal comfort. A therapist's emotional state during sessions undoubtedly influences both their effectiveness and the client's experience. Currently, I am content with my home office arrangement, but I remain open to changes, as the last year has demonstrated how quickly circumstances can shift.
Chapter 2: Community Insights
Colleagues, I invite you to share your preferred settings for client meetings and your thoughts on this topic.
This video addresses whether one needs to disclose their home address for virtual therapy sessions, a relevant concern for many therapists transitioning to online formats.
This video explores the contents of a home care client folder, shedding light on essential documentation for practitioners working in-home settings.