My ex-psychiatrist had the office you described..desk far across the room, book shelves piled high with subjects on Neurobiology, Psychological processes of the mind, etc..

Most visits felt like Alice in Wonderland..with him being so far away..gave the illusion of me being much smaller if that makes sense. I felt I understood later, after he self disclosed, at why he kept his office that way, he had been held at gunpoint by a patient...sooo I am assuming that had much to do about the great distance he kept his clients from his personal space.

I am seeing two Therapists currently that have 2 different approaches, and there offices reflect their modalities. One is primarily talk therapy, and the other uses Somatic responses..one office looks very much like a typical therapy office..small couch, chairs, desk, plants..a soothing safe enviroment..

the other much larger, no couch, but plenty of items I am not used to seeing, like blankets, toys, a water fountain, etc..a much more dynamic enviroment, in my terms, and reflects the therapist's treatment modality..but again the same goal is soothing, and safe enviroment..emphasis on safe in both areas of treatment.. and in my humble opinion the Therapist is very much a part of what makes an enviroment safe ......if I dont get that going.....I get going..no matter where the Therapy is being conducted.

Good Luck Alistair!