Have We "Zoomed" Our Way Out of the Therapy Room?

Sarah Standish, Willow Way Counselling

As a therapist with over 25 years of clinical practice, I have seen my fair share of therapy rooms.  They fall into the categories of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.  I am skilled in transforming the most unlikely of spaces into a safe, welcoming therapy room that invites clients to open up about their deepest feelings and begin transformations.  However, it has been a journey and required perseverance and creativity.

I would like to share about this journey and some of the greatest transformations.  One of the most memorable was the enclosed storage room without any windows at a university.  It had ceiling tiles, some of which were exposed and a carpet that was older than me (think 1970s).  My supervisor was perplexed as I lugged in several lamps, artificial plants (no windows so only option) and a throw rug.  I confidently explained that my clients would feel more welcome in a room that was inviting and less like a storage space.  This might have been a low moment for some, but I was incredibly proud of making the space work.  This concept of “making it work” has carried me through some questionable rooms.

The most challenging office was in a hospital environment, within a medical ward.  The biggest issue initially was that it was a shared space with two desks.  I only had a corner of the room to work with but thankfully there was a window in this one and yes, I had some real live plants!  I found that what I put on the walls was transformative.  The Ward Sister (intimidating on a good day) raised her eyebrows as framed artwork slowly arrived.  I had quite a walk from the car park, so could only manage a few things at a time.  I’m not quite sure what the maintenance department thought as they received multiple requests to install this artwork, but once complete it made a world of difference.  My colleagues were shocked when they entered the space, as it really felt like a different world from the clinical hospital environment.

Office Artwork created by my daughter

As you’re gathering, I’ve worked in quite a few different settings.  When starting a new job, I quickly learned to hold back on any excitement if an administrator was enthusiastic about “the counselling room”.  It was like bracing myself for the worst and making immediate mental notes of how to “flip” the space into something that reflected me, my work, comfort and safety.  There were a few potential jobs where the room was simply not acceptable; these I have been lucky enough to avoid.

Office Artwork by former client

If anyone has worked in a school, you’ll know that space is a commodity and every corner and closet is used.  As a full-time high school counsellor for 6 years, I was lucky and grateful to have my own room.  It posed its challenges with the space looking more like a narrow tunnel than a square meeting room.  As always, I was optimistic and prepared to make the transformation.  I did get stopped in my tracks when the site manager animatedly told me the history of the room…. its initial use was a toilet!  Not deterred, I got even scrappier here requesting a sofa (never heard of before!) and then covering said sofa with an inviting cover and cushions.  I think staff and students were surprised when they passed by, often stopping to grab a quiet moment and chat.  I was frequently asked how my sofa was “authorized” and I simply explained that I requested it.  Another lesson learned, that if you don’t ask, you won’t get!

Once covid hit, it was a totally different ball game.  Therapy rooms were abandoned and seeing people face-to-face was banned in most scenarios.  Most therapists I knew retreated to home offices and embraced the concept of telehealth, acquiring new technology skills with Zoom, Doxy.me, Teladoc etc.  We all began a different journey of creating therapeutic connections and providing support through a mobile phone, laptop or tablet.  I have to admit I was resistant…. Having spent 20+years working fact-to-face, it just didn’t feel right for me.  Of course, I followed the guidelines and fumbled through some awkward phone calls and video calls.  Working in a high school at the time, I was lucky to resume face-to-face work (with lots of space, an army of face masks and hand sanitizer) once the restrictions were lifted.

Fast forward to September 2025, when I started my own practice, Willow Way Counselling, based in Buckinghamshire, UK.  I assumed that private work would mostly be based online and resigned myself to letting go of everything that I knew was beneficial and familiar about in-person therapy.  I prepared thoughtfully, creating a beautiful “online space” and was determined to embrace this new way of working.  Surely this was just part of evolving with the times.

The Amersham Clinic

I was, in fact, terribly mistaken.  90% of my clients wanted face-to-face sessions!  I have been very fortunate to work out of a lovely therapy room at The Amersham Clinic.  It is a shared space but has good feels, comfortable seating, great lighting, privacy and friendly staff. The other surprising change was that I have grown to really enjoy the online work.  Now, I must say that maybe I just needed some time to try this in my own way (without the government telling me to), but I started to question my resistance.  My online clients are predominantly in other geographic areas so it would not be feasible to work with them in person.  I have a sense of gratitude that they are willing to engage in deep, thoughtful conversations whilst I’m in my slippers in my home office.

Some of the clear benefits for my clients are the sheer convenience of participating in 50 minutes sessions and not having to worry about transportation, traffic and parking.  It somehow feels easy to fit the appointments into busy schedules.  This is particularly true for my clients who are working and require evening appointments and would rather not be out in the dark or bad weather (yes, January & February 2026 you’re getting a mention).  I do believe it takes the right attitude and perspective to successfully engage in online therapy.  It is important to create that quiet, private space at home, turn off devices and ensure that you can reflect before and after the session.  It also requires security that no one else in your home would listen in and interfere with your privacy.

As a therapist who has always enjoyed working with children and young people, it has been my experience that young people are less inclined to engage online.  I have not had one young person (13-20) who would prefer online appointments.  I think there is something here about anonymity and preserving independence and privacy.

So, I will persevere…. embracing the opportunity to develop the online practice and enjoying the face-to-face work which will always be my preference.

To contact Sarah to enquire about counselling, please use the Contact Form on her website www.willowwaycounselling.com or text on 07990 500473.