“We Shape Our Buildings; Thereafter They Shape Us.”

In the article “Aesthetics and the psychotherapist's office”, Devlin Jackson describes how the physical environment has a huge influence on individuals and their perceptions. During therapeutics sessions, the physical space in which it’s conducted in can greatly affect how successful the therapies are. Jackson reviews previous literature regarding this topic and shows how creating an adaptable environment for both the therapist and patient is crucial. Moreover, she refers to past research that shows the importance of architecture and how it plays a crucial role in the way one feels.

Psychotherapeutic sessions conducted have been shown to have lasting effects on patients. Patients may recall on these sessions when experiencing depression, anxiety and/or guilt for comfort. During this process of internalization that the patient engages in, the environment (smell, lights, colors and sounds) in which the therapy session had happened, has a large influence on the effectiveness of this internalization.

Past literature has also depicted how therapists can cultivate the physical space to improve therapeutic effectiveness. For instance, past studies have shown that using certain wall paint-color, incorporating natural-colored wood in the room and having large windows are effective in relaxing patients and reducing stress.

In addition, therapists’ attire can dictate therapeutic effectiveness; therapists that dress more formally are perceived as more credible, knowledgeable and friendly and patients are more likely to open up to them and be willing to build a trusting relationship with them. Overall, Jackson concludes that more research is needed to get a better understanding of the influence the environment has, on patients in therapeutic sessions.

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Source:

• Jackson, D. Aesthetics and the psychotherapist's office. (2018) Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(2): 233-238. Retrieved from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jclp.22576/full.