AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON THERAPEUTIC SPACES: THE IMPACT OF THE COUNSELING ROOM ON THE WORKER-ADOLESCENT HELPING RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the interaction between the physical environment of counseling rooms and middle-stage adolescents, and its consequent impact on the worker-adolescent helping relationship, thereby illustrating the importance of the physical environment on the person-in-environment in social work practice. Existing literature has underscored the salience of the physical environment in social work, particularly on impressions clients form of workers, clients’ willingness to disclose, and their perceptions of comfort, control, and privacy crucial to the helping relationship. The literature has also highlighted ways in which the physical environment is particularly important for adolescents as they develop. An exploratory qualitative study adapted from the person-environment fit theory and based on Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development was employed to study the impact of the counseling room on the helping relationship in social work with middle-stage adolescents. Semi-structured interviews with six social workers engaged in youth work, and focus group discussions with eight middle-stage adolescents were conducted. The perceived therapeutic and developmental needs of adolescents were elucidated in the ways workers and adolescents interfaced with the counseling rooms. Findings call for the importance of considering the physical environment in the person-in-environment perspective, necessitating social workers to co-work with the counseling room to be creative, sensitive, and flexible in using the physical environment in ways to strengthen the helping relationship.