I recently after 10 years started trying out a new clinic in Yorkshire. Part of the reason for this is the philosophy they have towards clients and part of the reason is the very different physical space. It’s an often forgotten fact that when clients seek coaching or therapeutic help, they are in a great state of distress and it can take a lot of courage to finally book an appointment. How they are greeted and the physical environment for any work is really important. Of course everyone will have different views but I am in an interesting situation in that I am going to run a trial period across two clinics and see what the client’s feedback in terms of their own experience. My original therapy centre leeds clinic has been radically changed, so the main colour scheme is mostly shades of grey and yellow. Personally I am very unsure that this is a great change and would have thought that a more neutral colour would be a better choice. However I am putting aside personal thoughts and for forthcoming months will let the client’s feedback what they think without any undue influence. Above is the new colour scheme for the longstanding clinic.
The new clinic* has a more neutral design and more of a Japanese feel. Personally I think this is radically better, but I’m going to put aside personal thoughts and let the clients decide. Each month I will do an initial session in one location and then the follow up in another. I have told both parties quite openly that I am going to do this and I think it will be a useful experiment. Ultimately as therapists we can make the mistake of deciding that the clients need and forget to listen to their observations and feedback
I also want to see if the studies on colour I did in the 1980s support my instinct on what I suspect I will find! The new clinic opens at 7.30am, which I know will immediately be attractive to many clients who want session time before work. There is also professional noise insulation which has been a bug bear of many clients in the old building! The older clinic has two great longstanding receptionists who are terrific to work with, and the new clinic will have a great deal to live up to in that respect!The right hand photo shows a brighter choice of colour on reception, so very much at the other end of the colour spectrum. It’s going to be an interesting experiment in many respects.
I’ll blog on the findings before Jan 2016.
* The Wellness Clinic
Lister House, Lister Hill,
Horsforth,
Leeds
LS18 5AZ
Lister House, Lister Hill,
Horsforth,
Leeds
LS18 5AZ