[Auntie2014]

I just ran across a thread where the poster mentioned a real couch that they lay down on during their session. In my mind I get the picture of the type couch seen in old movies or what I call a "shrink couch". I have been inside several different T's offices over the last 15 years and have never seen a couch like that. In fact the only time I have seen one was in the self-help section of a book store.

Most offices I have been in have a couple comfortable chairs or a chair and love seat for clients. They usually have a desk and some have a chair next to the desk.

It made me think about all of the people that have never been in therapy and what their expectations might be. Lets share with them so it will make it easier for anyone starting their journey.

[someone321]

At my T's office there is no couch... However, there is a kind of a bed like a simple massage bad (but looks very official and sterile) for those who come for the psychoanalysis. There are also two identical chairs (not extremely comfortable but ok) - one for T and one for a client. Chairs are not strictly opposite to each other and between them there is no desk. There are, however, two small tables (one for T and one for a client) on the left (for a client) or right (for T) side of the chair... And very important - there is a kind of a carpet (? no clue of its name in English), with a very fascinating pattern, hanging on the wall... Whenever I am stressed I just follow the pattern... Colors are rather grey-brown, for sure it looks rather like a sterile office than a private, cozy flat but I like it... And there are double doors (like you open the door and behind there is another door), and of course the entrance and the exit are at different sides so after the session I do not have to see anyone from the waiting room...

[Puglife]

In the last few months I have seen my personal T, a MT and a T for my son and all of them have couches in their offices. Although never in a million years would I actually lay down on it, I just sit on it.

[Auntie2014]

Thank You someone321.

It is interesting that things are different in Europe. (we call the rug thing a wall hanging)

On of my T's had two different offices. One was a large group where she furnished her own room. The other was at a different location that was closer to where I lived. It was an office where she rented space for one day per week.

In the large group office there was a waiting room with little light things you flipped to let your T know you were in the waiting room. In her office she had one area where there was a love seat facing the side of her desk. On the other end of the room she had 4 chairs sitting around a large coffee table. This also faced the side of her desk. I always assumed it was for when she did family therapy.After sessions there was a different exit so you did not see other clients.

In the office where I saw her most often there was a large waiting are and 3 therapy rooms. She always used the same room. It had a love seat and a chair next to desk. I preferred the chair next to desk because I could see outside when things were stressful.

My T's office is pretty warm and homey (in a male sort of way). No couch, but a leather love seat. He has a desk, but it is way over on the other side of the room and I've never seen him sit in it. I suspect he sits there to do paperwork, answer phone calls, etc. Lots of wood and nature pictures. Also, many pictures of his kids and grandkids. Very comfortable.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Auntie2014

I just ran across a thread where the poster mentioned a real couch that they lay down on during their session. In my mind I get the picture of the type couch seen in old movies or what I call a "shrink couch". I have been inside several different T's offices over the last 15 years and have never seen a couch like that. In fact the only time I have seen one was in the self-help section of a book store.

Most offices I have been in have a couple comfortable chairs or a chair and love seat for clients. They usually have a desk and some have a chair next to the desk.

It made me think about all of the people that have never been in therapy and what their expectations might be. Lets share with them so it will make it easier for anyone starting their journey.

my therapist is in private practice and rents a "suite" thats an office space with more than one room. she has a waiting area, not very big just big enough for three living room style chairs, a toy box, a window with plants hanging in it, two end tables between the chairs for magazines, coloring books , a box of crayons and a few pens in a cup. one door that leads to her office and one door that leads to the restroom. her main office space is divided up into a small kitchen (hot plate, sink, coffee maker a few cupboards and a small portable fridge.), a work station (her desk and file cabinet) and a session area A rocking chair, regular living room chair and a sofa, two end tables, a box of toys under the end tables, a small bookcase. a long window with plants and odds and ends items. its very small but my therapist has makes the most of it and gives it "homeyy" atmosphere rather than a doctors office atmosphere.

My current T's office is different from the office of the T I saw before him. ExT had a nice enough office but it was very much a standard office room with a desk and a desk chair, and two comfortable arm chairs with a small table in between, for her and the client. I don't remember much else of the room, it didn't feel very personal. (I looked at a photo of it on the web just now - there's an interview with my exT in a psychology blog I used to read, and a pic of her office room. It has a wooden floor, which is unusual in an office - I had forgotten about that.)

Current T has an office that's on the top floor of a building; his office door is one flight of stairs down from the actual office so you walk up the stairs directly into the office room. The room has a high ceiling (with a skylight) and exposed rafters. I think it's an extremely comfortable room, and the walls are so thick that most sounds are shut out, which makes it seem very secure. The lack of a visible door also creates a feeling of a secure enclosed space. There is a couch, which I lie on, in one part of the room - it's fairly hard and not what I would think of as a "shrink couch", but it's comfortable enough. (As long as I remember to lie down as high up as I can, because it's only just long enough for me and sometimes I end up with my feet sticking out under the arm rest ) At the other end of the room are two comfortable armchairs, where we used to sit before I decided to try lying on the couch, and in a corner a desk. There are no family photos or anything like that, which I appreciate. It is Ts working space, of course, but it is also my personal safe space, and I like that it is not invaded by other people.

[stopdog]

The woman sits in a chair and there is a regular couch to sit on across from her chair and there is a coffee table separating the couch and the chair. It is a horrible couch, but there are no chairs for clients. Just her chair and the couch.

I would like it better if it was more office or conference room like. Or courtroom like - with the therapist in the jury box or on the bench. I would like it if I had a lectern or podium or if we both stood up at opposing lecterns.

[brillskep]

My T's office doesn't look like an office at all It's very beautiful, colorful, cozy, and it smells nice. (I don't know if they do something special to it or it's a cleaning product I'm not familiar with).

There are a few soft armchairs and a couch, but no one lies down on the couch (unless of course a clients asks to do so). The couch is used for sitting like the armchairs.

[purplemystery]

My T's old office was kind of dark and lit mostly with lamps, but it felt secluded and private. It had a very distinct (good, but not perfume-y or artificial) smell that I loved because every time I smelled it, I was reminded of how someone cares about me. I sat on a couch and my T sat across from me on a chair, though the chair was faced diagonally in my direction. She had a globe, some sort of window decoration, and one painting on the wall. It was plain, but inviting. Except for the rug, which had some crazy pattern.