Creating Your Counseling Corner
If you're like me, you may have a space for your things and you like your things to be in those designated spaces or else it feels like everything is out of whack. In the same way, we can designate a particular space for mental wellness when participating in virtual counseling. Creating a Counseling Corner may seem like a simple task, but the power of holding space (literally) for your mental wellness can't be overstated.
In virtual counseling, we don't have some of the same components that are common to many counselors' in-person offices: privacy, a designated destination for problem-solving, and a therapeutic environment. However, if you incorporate some of these things into your own Counseling Corner, we are able to recreate the therapeutic space from our separate locations and you may be more likely to be successful in counseling because you're mentally and physically prepared for sessions. That's not to say that virtual counseling is useless if you don't have the resources or space to create a Counseling Corner, but you may want to consider how you can bring some elements of a Counseling Corner into your home.
“Why should I create a Counseling Corner and what do I need to make my own?"
Benefits of having your very own Counseling Corner:
A space to prioritize your mental health
A reminder to prioritize your mental health
A place for safety and quiet
A place to rest and reset
A place to reflect and engage in internal awareness
Things you may want to include in your Counseling Corner:
A comfy chair, couch corner, bean bag, fluffy pillow, etc.
Mood lighting
A place to set down the device that you're using for counseling
A safe place for your drink (hydration is important!)
Don't forget the tissues (optional, but encouraged)
Things You Need for a Counseling Corner
1. First things first: Ya need a place to sit!
Depending on your personal preference, style, and available furnishings, your Counseling Corner might be your favorite corner of the couch, a comfy chair, a bean bag, or even a fluffy pillow you put on the floor. Generally speaking, you want your throne to be in a quiet part of the home where you can have some privacy from other folks who live with you. For some, this might mean rearranging the furniture slightly before your counseling session by bringing a comfy chair into an office or bedroom, so you can close the door to prevent distractions and protect your privacy.
2. Mood Lighting
Now that you've got a place to sit, you'll want to make sure the lighting is good for your session. While it's certainly acceptable to dim the lights or rely on natural lighting, it's also important to ensure your counselor can see you as clearly as possible. Counselors use many visual cues from your surroundings to your facial expressions and body language to pick up on information that might help them assess your situation or provide insights for you. If your counselor is not able to clearly see you, this can hinder the counseling process and make it difficult for them to connect with you.
3. A Table for Your Device, Drink, Etc.
Have you ever seen poorly recorded Instagram or TikTok videos where it seems like the person holding the camera must have been jumping around all over the place (or there's a giant THUMB on the screen)? I don't profess to be an excellent videographer, but I know these issues can be super distracting, and the same is true when trying to hold a counseling session.
It can be hard to have serious conversations or make sense of what's going on if your camera is constantly being jostled around. This is why I highly recommend getting a table or additional pillow to rest your device on while you're in session. That way, if you get uncomfortable and need to shift, you can do so without hindering the counseling process. I also tend to get pretty thirsty if I'm talking a lot, so having a safe place to set down you drink can ensure you don't have to hold it the whole time or risk wet spots on your clothes or furniture.
Oh, and don't forget the tissues!
4. Anything Else that Brings You Comfort
I know counseling is hard, sometimes sad, and a lot of times anxiety-provoking. One of the wonderful things about virtual counseling is that you get to do it from your own home, so you can have the comforts of home to surround yourself with! I'm personally a pet-lover and having my dog, Luther, around can be very comforting. When counseling becomes overwhelming, I encourage clients to use their comforts to bring themselves back to the present moment. This might mean lighting a scented candle, playing soft soothing sounds (did you know brown noise is a thing??), or stroking a pet or soft pillow.
And voilà! You've got yourself your very own Counseling Corner!
Check out my counseling corner:
Luther may like the Counseling Corner more than I do!
My Counseling Corner features my comfy chair with plenty of pillows for versatile back support, too many tables for all the things, and a blanket because I hate being cold! My Counseling Corner is located in my home office that only I use, so I can close the door for more privacy when meeting with clients. Additionally, my office has overhead lighting and a lamp in the opposite corner of my Counseling Corner to provide adequate lighting for my clients to see my face. There's also a plug just off to the side of my comfy chair to plug in my electronics while I'm in session - there's nothing worse than interrupting a client breakthrough because my battery is about to die! Clearly, Luther approves of this set up.
I hope this little tidbit helped you think about when and how you take care of your mental wellness, and prepare for your virtual counseling visit. When considering your mental health, keep in mind your physical health is a great starting point.
Dr. Ashley Burks is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Counselor Educator who provides online and in-person counseling to Indiana residents. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ mental health, sexual mental and physical health, and first responder families‘ mental health. Ashley’s approach is all about promoting wellness through simplicity, building connection, and down-to-earth solutions from a trauma-informed lens.
