Creating A Self-Affirming Office Space at Home

Making the decision to do an online-only practice can be difficult. Creating the necessary separation from work and home life can be a challenge when work is at home. Additionally, as a professional clinician, depending on the treatment modality, it may be too intimate for some to have their personality promptly featured in the digital room. Unlike many of my colleagues, I have been working online as a virtual therapist since 2016. I didn’t have to go through the trials of a pandemic transition, on top of developing a work-home-life balance. I got to slowly adapt and learn from the experience. My online space was recently featured in a roundup of online spaces for therapists. It’s inspiring to see the ingenuity, creativity, and individuality of someone’s working space.

Some clinicians need inspiration in order to dive into creating the office space at home that they truly desire. Some inspiration may be needed on decor, while others may need suggestions on equipment. Below are the objects that have made my remote experience functional and enjoyable.

Geeky Aesthetic

When I made the transition from in-person to online-only, just like my peers, I seized the opportunity to customize my space to my tastes. I was able to tailor my space in ways that previous agency jobs couldn't. As my theory is Narrative Therapy, authentically being myself in the room is encouraged. As a "geek therapist," my aim is to use my client's passions and fandoms to assist them in gaining mental wellness. We learn from the things we have an affinity for and I wanted to make sure my clients saw what I had an affinity for. My clients intentionally seek me out because I am affirming of Geek Culture. When a client opens a session with me, they see prominently displayed in my background, a variety of my fandoms.

Peppered throughout my room are geeky items. My bookshelves have books that marry psychology and geekdom (such as my most recent purchase, Starship Therapise).

I have a variety of Funk Pop figures, some in collectors’ plastic casing, and other figures freely roaming the room. I also collect a variety of pins from conventions that I proudly display on Canvas Banners.

As part of how I gain empowerment, I even created a safe corner that is all Wonder Woman memorabilia. There are many days where I feel imposter syndrome. During those times I will go to my safe corner and remind myself of what Wonder Woman does to reclaim her power when she questions herself.

The Color Purple

I am fortunate and privileged enough to both own a home and have space in that home where I can dedicate a room to myself, as my office. Having dedicated space made it so that I could create a working environment that I didn't dread going to. Along with surrounding myself with geeky passions, it was also important to me that my room had random pops of purple throughout. Purple has been my favorite color since childhood. I enjoy all hues of purple. Looking around the Guidance Teletherapy website, including the logo, it’s easy that I love purple. Within my home office, clients can see purple featured as the backdrop color on my back wall.

Throughout the office space, friends and family can find random purple knick-nacks.

This majestic color can even be found as the velvet reading chair, which my assistance Hanah, uses more than myself.

As I made the transition to online therapy, I learned that it’s important to make working at home feel inviting, supporting, and relaxing. These are the feelings I get when I see purple surrounding me. And my clients can sense this energy when we are in session together. I encourage my clients to embrace self-care. When I’m modeling self-care and inner peace, I find my clients are willing to do the same.

Podcasting Essentials

Another large fandom of mine is Disney. I currently cohost the Happies Pod on Earth podcast with Educator Stefanie Bautista. This podcast discusses how we use Disney mediums in the classroom and the therapy room for education and mental wellness. I am still a novice in the podcast world, but I am quickly learning a lot. To achieve some good quality sound, I had to obtain podcasting materials. I have an Adjustable Mic Stand Kit, a Mic Shock Mount, and a Samson Q2U USB Mic. I also had to obtain over-the-ear headphones plugged directly into the mic. I decided to get Wired Premium Stereo Sound Headsets, which came with a long cable and great reviews. To prevent clutter, I also got a Neetto Headphone Stand, which holds my podcasting headphones. The stand is also strong enough and wide enough to hold my Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones, which I use specifically to use for therapy.

Necessary Accommodations

Regarding accommodations, it's important to note that I am 4'11''. Most office furniture is too tall or too long to be able to allow me to sit comfortably. Additionally, as a geeky gamer, I know the importance of obtaining a chair designed for hours of sitting at a computer. Most were too expensive (and the seats too long), so in searching Amazon, I located the one I currently use, an S-Racer with Lumbar Support. I used the lumbar support pillow to push my body forward and added an Everlasting Comfort Lumbar Pillow for actual lumbar support. Additionally, I obtained a ComfiLife Gel Cushion, which provides ultimate comfort and support to my hips and glutes.

I completed my seating arrangement with two distinct floor products. The first is a footrest, as again, I'm short and, for proper ergonomics, need my feet to be flat on the floor (the ComfiLife Foot Rest is similar to what I have, which they do not sell anymore). The second item is a Snailax Shiatsu Foot Massager. I use this during sessions or in between to help with blood circulation and relaxation. When engaging in mindfulness work with clients, I've had some include their massagers, which allow us to focus on the patterns the machine is making on our bodies. Memorizing these patterns are great grounding tools the client can use outside the session as they imagine the same movements.

Working With Creativity

As an art therapist, working with tactile mediums can be difficult online. I only engage in this work with clients with access to art media (unless we use digital art media). I am also an artist myself. This means I need both tablespace and organization space. I also have shallow windows in my office and therefore needed furniture to block necessary light when I work on art. The desk I obtained, a Bon Augure Desk, creates an L-shape, with the butting L portion sitting lower. Its height allowed it to fit perfectly snugly under my window. I bought two to have working space throughout the room, placing the taller desk portions on either wall (the table can be built with two different L shape designs).

Additionally, it allowed me to create drawers where I needed them because it is an open shelving unit. I obtained a variety of sizes of Self-Adhesive Drawers, so I could strategically place them where they were within reach.

For storage, within the closet of my office, I have an Ikea Ivar Shelving System in which I place all my necessary art media in. This keeps me both organized and eager to create. The additional desk space allows me to adjust camera angles when using art media with clients online.

Working remotely, especially for therapists, may not be for everyone. After learning to claim the space as my own and fill it with the objects that provide me with comfort and ease, I’ve found the work rewarding. The ability to personalize my workspace and schedule has allowed me to live life holistically.

I hope that seeing the thoughtfulness of my home office, learning about the intentionality of the items I filled in, and getting some suggestions on where to get these items will inspire other clinicians to claim their space as well.