Healing Spaces: The Transformative Power of Therapeutic Design

In early spring of 2022, the world was still reeling from the effects of COVID-19. Unsurprisingly, many people found that their mental health had suffered from two years of isolation and uncertainty. Stuck inside their homes, a lot of folks were suddenly faced with an environment that had been treated like an afterthought: cluttered, unplanned, and unattractive. They may have suspected a connection between their mental health and their surroundings, a connection that mental health professionals, architects, designers, and feng shui experts have been aware of for a long time. 

Caroline Thomas, LSMW, practice owner of Head & Heart Therapeutic Solutions in the Grand Traverse Commons, is very cognizant of the effects that environment can have on mental health: “Having worked in agency environments filled with chaotic stress and harsh overhead lighting, I was determined to create an inclusive sanctuary for mental and emotional well-being that invited self-reflection. As any mental health professional will attest, the individual cannot be separated from their environment. Spaces, relationships, and broader social constructs influence the work of therapy.”

In 2021, Caroline reached out to me to redesign the kitchen in her home. As the project progressed, we began to realize that we collaborated seamlessly, and that we shared a strong belief in the healing power of good design. Though my primary focus until then had been residential interiors, when Caroline asked me to help her with the interior design of her practice that next spring of 2022, I enthusiastically agreed.

Caroline’s facility was already beautiful. It is located in the Grand Traverse Commons, whose Victorian-Italianate buildings were designed by Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride, a prominent advocate for humane treatment of individuals with mental health conditions. In fact, the guiding principle of design and treatment at the State Hospital was the phrase “Beauty is therapy”. And the beauty is evident: I was immediately charmed by the soaring ceilings, natural light, and original wood trim throughout the lobbies and offices, but the real inspiration came from Caroline’s practice itself.

Renovated in the nineties by Peggy Anderson for her medical practice, Suite 101 offered big windows, a modest lobby, and some soundproofing. Head and Heart, the third owner of the suite, found it easy to transition the space into a therapeutic one, allowing the practice to grow from a single clinician to a group of 10 by 2019. Caroline described her growing practice this way: “Each therapist at Head & Heart has a specialty, but all share a belief in the opportunity to feel, heal, and evolve. Committed to ongoing learning and anti-oppressive practices, we engage in transformative work that embraces both mind and body, fostering holistic healing and personal growth.”

Caroline had done well with setting up the space in a limited amount of time. She’d had two weeks to move from a single office to a seven-office space on a shoestring budget. Friends and family helped with time, effort, and trucks. After three years of settling in, Head & Heart felt welcoming and relaxed, with mismatched but comfortable furniture and lots of art on the walls. It was like walking into a friend’s house, and I knew right away I wanted to keep that comfortable vibe–a vibe that is very Caroline. However, there were some immediate pain points that I knew we could address to make high-impact improvements. 

The first of these was obvious: replace the dated, brain-draining fluorescent lighting in the common areas with beautiful, modern lantern-style Herman Miller pendants. These lovely fixtures have shades that softly diffuse the light, creating an instantly more calming and soothing atmosphere. Because the pendants utilize an LED bulb, Caroline is now able to control the temperature of the lighting in the space. This is important, because the harsh, cool light emitted by fluorescent light can disrupt natural circadian rhythms, potentially affecting sleep patterns and mood. Fluorescent bulbs also flicker imperceptibly, which can cause headaches, eye strain, and stress. Soft white LED bulbs are a much better choice for mental health, especially in a therapeutic setting. In the therapists’ offices, we opted for secondary lighting only, using a combination of floor lamps, table lamps, and decorative pendants in each room to create a cozy glow.

Next, we tackled the mis-matched artwork and furniture. It was very important to Caroline that we selected furniture that was not only attractive, but also accommodating to any body type. Caroline's practice focuses on inclusion and helping clients reconnect with their bodies. To support this, we needed spaces for movement and size-inclusive furniture. Given the age of the building, some of the clearances are quite narrow, which generally requires furniture with a small footprint. With some creative placement and selections, such as commercial-grade upholstered benches rather than chairs in some areas, we were able to find satisfactory solutions. 

The next step was to catalog Caroline’s impressive collection of local art—a mix of prints and originals purchased from Northern Michigan galleries (Echo Fox, Em Randle, Ken Scott, Kristin MacKenzie)—frame it, and install it. Caroline carefully considered the preferences of each therapist working at Head & Heart–color, texture, and even smell!--so that the furnishings and art in each office would reflect the personality and focus of the professional that occupied the space. This sensitive approach to design ensured that not only Head & Heart’s clients would feel at ease in the space, but also prioritized the well-being of the professionals who work there.

There were hundreds of other similar design-related decisions made during the two years Caroline and I worked together on Head & Heart. We aimed to both reflect and create community in the space through intentional touches such as locally sourced Higher Grounds coffee, a coffee bar designed and commissioned by a local friend, a mental health lending library from Brilliant Books, a community events board, and a lobby quote board with phrases shared by clients. Our goal was to cultivate an environment where clients and clinicians feel genuinely valued and supported. The final design touches reflected our shared humanity and the belief that everyone deserves rest, comfort, and ease. We focused on comfortable seating, pillows, sensory experiences like fountains and soothing music, and integrating nature through art and live plants to make the space a sanctuary. Caroline’s favorite feedback (and mine!) from clients and clinicians alike is that coming into the space feels like taking a deep breath.

Perhaps the most remarkable design feature at Head & Heart is the stunning, ethereal mural by Em Randall in the lobby. As soon as I saw the odd, blank wall that didn’t quite reach the ceiling, I knew it was meant for something special. When I told Caroline I wanted to put a mural on it, she didn’t bat an eye. Instead, she formulated a thoughtful idea for a beautiful art piece that would reflect the core themes of Head & Heart. One of Caroline's first “splurges” for Head & Heart was commissioning Em Randall to create a painting for each office. Clinicians chose meaningful quotes they use in practice, and Em designed original pieces inspired by each quote. It was a natural choice to work with her on the mural, which became even more exciting when she suggested incorporating elements from each office piece into it. Em brilliantly created inclusive gender and size representations, integrating themes of head/thought, heart/feeling, growth, nature, and connection into her work. She captured the vibe and values of Head & Heart like only an artist could.

How can a mural improve wellness? Research has shown that aesthetic experiences can influence our health, well-being, and capacity for learning, such as how music can lower blood pressure, pain, and anxiety, and how creating art can open brain pathways damaged by trauma. This is something that Caroline understands on a scientific level, and that I (and other creatives) understand on an intuitive one. Working together gave us both the opportunity to expand our understanding of this important subject–that design and environment has a strong impact on our mental health–and that a space that is comfortable, safe, and beautiful is also a space that is healing and empowering.