Authors: Stephanie Liddicoat
Year: 2016
Event: 2016 TheMHS Conference
Subject: Beyond the Counselling Workspace: Exploring Significant Spaces in the Treatment of Self Harm
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract: BEYOND THE COUNSELLING WORKSPACE: EXPLORING SIGNIFICANT SPACES IN THE TREATMENT OF SELF HARM - This paper explores the significance of environments outside the counselling workspace1 in the treatment of self harm2. Spaces considered include a de-escalation space post counselling, an urge room in inpatient care, and a natural mind-space, adjacent to the counselling workspace and accessed only visually. The transition of spaces and planning of the spatial journey around a counselling session are also discussed. Using literature of therapeutic practice, each of these spaces are analysed to show the reasons behind their significance to individuals in treatment for self harm. By understanding how individuals who self harm may experience a space, better design of these environments delivering mental health services may be enabled. This paper suggests a series of design initiatives for each of the spaces outlined, and implications for clinical practice are discussed, to explore the relationship between the physical space and the function for which they are designed.
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