Environmental Psychology
The effect of “Environmental Psychology” on interior architectural designs deeply affects the design decisions to be made in the space. According to environmental psychology, while a user can change the design and function features in the space according to their wishes, they can also be affected by these factors without being aware of them at the same time. In psychological counseling offices where mental health is handled, we also want the user to be positively affected by the environment they are in.
What does positive mean?
This part can be viewed from 2 perspectives. Through the eyes of the office worker and the eyes of the customer.
If we look at it from the point of view of the office employee; hygiene and functionality are important design factors in psychologist offices, as in other organizations serving in the health sector. Functions that take place in the office should be able to function without overlapping with each other, or without interruptions and creating circulation chaos in the space.
Speaking of circulation;
The indoor circulation areas show the quality of the space. Imagine entering a psychological counseling office. Decorative objects, large furniture, etc. placed in each corner of the space for aesthetic purposes. It will show the area as small, complex, and flattened. It will also occupy the circulation space that should be reserved for users. Instead, it is primarily based on user attributes (age, gender, attribute, number, etc.) the minimum circulation area inside the space should be protected, and the necessary furniture or decoration items should be placed around this circulation area.
From a customer's point of view, the customers who come to this office come to share their private lives with professionals and find answers and solutions to their private problems. This factor should not be forgotten. Because privacy is an important need for the customer in such offices. A design should be made in a space where the customer will feel safe and special, and violations of personal boundaries should be avoided.
Optimum Comfort
Indoor ventilation systems throughout the office should be at levels that will provide optimal comfort in the space. The temperature should be fixed at 25-26 degrees, and the circulation of fresh air in the room should be ensured without interruption Jul. Attention should be paid to sound insulation in closed areas located throughout the office. To respect the private areas of customers and employees and protect their privacy, audio decoupling between areas should be provided, and visual isolation should be provided if necessary.
The Heart of the Psychological Counseling Office, Session-Interview Rooms
“Privacy” is the primary design factor in this place where private meetings are held with the customer. To respect the client's private space and what they will share, there should be no sound transmission between inside and outside the room. When the client enters the room, there is discomfort, kurtosis, insecurity, etc. on it. To prevent the occurrence of negative emotions such as, first of all, a design that does not strain the eyes should be made in the room. The selected colors and textures should be processed harmoniously in the room, and absurd colors should not be chosen to distract the customer's focus from the conversation. These factors also apply to the consultant. To make an accurate inference about the customer, he must keep his focus on that person. Patterned coatings should be avoided as much as possible, and if they are to be used, they should be used in a small amount in a place where it is desired to create a focal point inside the space. Although it is desirable to use a high-end pattern in the room, coatings that create a calm atmosphere with simple colors and motifs should be used.
The effect of the selected furniture on the customer is important.
How?
We said that the client could share a piece of his private life. In this case, according to the psychology of the environment, one should feel safe in the room. First of all, the selected seating groups should be soft enough not to disturb the user and provide a comfortable seating area. In soft tissue selections, selection should be made on scales that will ensure that the user does not lose his balance and is not buried in the furniture. Again, the eye levels should be at an equal level to ensure that the customer feels safe and equal and comfortably expresses their problems. In the seating groups, the viewing angle should be no more than 45 degrees. The distance between the consultant and the client should be in the range of 1.5-2 meters, and a special space should be created for both sides. Decembers should be placed between the consultant and the client.
The room temperature and ventilation systems should be at an optimal level. While the room temperature is kept at 25-26 degrees, the indoor air quality should be in such a way as to prevent bad odors or stuffy environments.
Therapy Rooms
Therapy rooms are rooms used to get to the center of the problems or psychological disorders experienced by the client. In these rooms, customers of all ages and genders are examined to solve the problem at the root by returning to the time when their psychological problems arose. In line with the above purposes, interior architectural design decisions should be functional, not aesthetic. In such rooms, as few decorative objects as possible, simple colors and textures, and functionally comfortable furniture should be preferred.
Specialized Therapy Rooms
In psychological counseling offices, specialized areas can be created within the office according to the user criteria served. For example;
In solutions for children, toys that reflect everyday life and strengthen daily life and communication skills can be used. According to the age scale of the children who will come to the office, bottles, beds, blankets, spare clothes, etc. baby needs can be kept.
For clients who come to family therapies, again using environmental psychology, mother-father, girl-boy, and grandparent figures can be used as decorative elements.
Let Us Help You
Psychological counseling If you need professional help in your office designs, we are by your side as Ankara Riva Interior Architecture. Together with our design team, we are turning your dream office into a reality. From the designs you request to the determination of needs and turn-key application, our professional team offers different, innovative and reflective solutions in your designs with the right applications. You can contact us to find out more information and join our happy customer portfolio.