Project Description

Our client came with a desire to create an innovative approach in treating their clients with their mental health challenges. Their goal was to fuse a bio-psycho-social-spiritual treatment model with medically managed psychedelic therapies for clients to overcome deeply embedded traumas preventing them from living fully in their everyday lives. As their goal was to provide innovative mental health treatment, they also had a desire to explore an elevated bespoke design experience that would incorporate trauma informed design and engage their clients in a multi-sensory experience. The intention: to break down the stigma and barriers so often associated with mental health wellness and psychotherapy treatment and to provide a safe environment for clients to feel empowered in discussing their trauma. Given the above, we produced and facilitated a vision exercise centered around “Catharsis” as a design concept. We focused the design of the user experience to promoted feelings of safety, choice, collaboration, respect, trust, empowerment, and vulnerability all while engaging individuals in a multi-sensory environment. Once the vision and concept were developed, a plan was created that focused on procession as a journey of healing. From arrival to departure, (like walking a labyrinth), the layout allowed patients to pause and reflect on their therapy, encouraging safety in feeling vulnerable in reliving strong or repressed emotions. Important considerations were to connect vistas to natural light, sustainability, create separation between individuals in distress, reinforce personal identity, include clear sight lines with few barriers, create visual interest, and promote opportunities for peer support. All material gestures, textures, sight, and sound were thoughtfully considered throughout the interior to create a calming, spa like environment not typically found in a medical office interior. It was an honour to have designed an interior that promotes healing, identity, worth, and empowerment for the clients of The Newly Institute. Truly a project designed for good.