Perception of Physical Environment Parameters where Psychotherapy is Carried out, and their Connection with Psychotherapy Experience and Satisfaction

Basing on the system theory, this paper describes inclusiveness of the physical environment in psychotherapeutic process. A model of the psychotherapeutic process was developed taking into account parameters of physical environment (the appearance of the therapist, the physical space of the therapy room & its interior). Theoretical part of the work describes how external environment of psychotherapy determine a type of functional or dysfunctional interaction between psychotherapist & his client, participate in the formation of patterns of such interaction and are themselves part of the client-therapist communication. Also, an analysis of existing psychological researches & studies of physical environment for psychotherapy is provided. Basing on the Russian sample (n = 491), the empirical part of the study analyzes physical environment parameters & their correlation with satisfaction with therapy in general, therapist as its part & specific therapeutic experience, as well as the correlation with duration of therapy and with the "drop out" of therapy. The interconnections between cabinet parameters such as its cosiness, cabinet specialization and its size with the possibility of early quit of therapy are revealed. The relationships between therapist's tidiness or clothing style and clients’ satisfaction with the therapist have been identified. The interconnections between the comfort of the therapy space, cleanliness and order, decor, space size, sound insulation and satisfaction with the psychotherapeutic experience were revealed. Basing on the results of the study and analysis of available literature on the topic, a list of recommendations was given on the organization of the physical environment for psychotherapy.