Ultimate Guide for Renting a Counselling Room

Looking for advice on renting a counselling room? You’ve come to the right place. We know that finding the perfect room to run your counselling business from can be a challenge. There’s a lot of advice around, which can at times, be overwhelming. In this guide, we’ve prepared answers to most concerns regarding renting a counselling room. 

Table of Contents: 

• Finding the perfect Counselling Room
• Think about Additional Fees
• Assess Your Opportunities
• Furnishing your Counselling Room
• What clients want from a Counselling Room
• Why Wellshare Counselling Rooms?

1. Finding the perfect Counselling Room

Finding the perfect room to rent and run your business from can be tricky. There’re a lot of properties and rental options around, so it’s important to consider these factors before you sign a lease:

1. Your ideal location - How long do you want to commute for? What are the parking or public transport options like? These questions will help you narrow down a focus area that will help you with your search. Research is an important step in deciding where you’d like to run your business from. Don’t skip out and end up stuck in a location that doesn’t suit your business. 
2. Your budget - Knowing the amount you can afford to spend on rent will help you to avoid financial strain early in your business. Seek help from a financial advisor, or a trusted friend or colleague as you strategise what you can afford. Unfortunately, sometimes your ideal location, and your budget, don’t see eye to eye. But knowing that you can’t afford an area before you sign a lease, is better than finding out down the track that it’s unsustainable. You may need to look slightly outside your dream area until something more affordable comes up - or your business finances change. By having an open mind, and a realistic budget you may even end up with a better rental. 
3. Tours are terrific - Before signing your lease, make sure you tour the space. Or if you can’t go in person, ask a trusted friend or family member to go on your behalf. Pictures can sometimes be deceiving, so a tour is important to make sure you know what you’re getting. On the day of your tour, it’s a good idea to take notes so you don’t forget any details later and bring a tape measure and a friend along. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have to the estate agent or landlord. 
4. Hourly, Daily or Full-time rental lease? There is a wide range of rental arrangements around. Renting a room on a part-time basis can offer increased flexibility and an affordable option for those looking to ease their way into business - or who are looking for a different work/life balance. You only pay for the hours you use the room. Part-time room use can also open up a wider range of rental property options, everything from health co-working spaces, to offices in existing clinics. Hiring a counselling room for the hours your business needs is often a great place to start. Ask your realtor what lease terms are available. Is there the option to scale up from a part-time to full-time basis if needed? Or to scale back the rental hours if needed. 

2. Think about Additional Fees

Finding your counselling room is exciting! If you think you’ve found the base for your business to grow from, celebrate the win, but also consider assessing any additional fees before signing a lease. You don’t want to get stung with additional fees or expect services in your lease that are actually add ons. Here are a few additional fees to look out for. 

1. Fees for additional services — many rental spaces will advertise all their services, to make their rooms as attractive as possible to potential tenants. But you should be aware that some of these may not be included in your lease, but be additional add ons. If your rental advertises reception services, waiting rooms or access to printer facilities, ask how the cost of these services is covered. Is it included in your rent? Or is it an additional extra?
2. Cleaning fee — accidents happen, but so does everyday wear and tear. It’s worth familiarizing yourself with the policies of your rental when it comes to cleaning. Some regular cleaning is likely included in your lease, but mishaps might be something to expect you may have to cover. Depending on what materials you use in your counselling room (paint?) it might be worth making sure you’ve taken enough precautions to protect the space, or set aside some budget for when things go wrong. 
3. Lease termination policy — It may seem odd to begin with the end in mind, but you’ll thank us later. Sometimes, we need to move on unexpectedly. If you need to end your lease early, it’s worth being aware of what fees are involved from the get go. That way you can part ways from your rental room on amicable terms with your landlord, and not have any hidden surprises. 
4. Insurance — Many rental arrangements operate with the expectation that the tenant will have the necessary insurances to cover their business activities within the room. Look into what insurances you may need. While many insurers are catching up with the co-working space model, it’s still an area that many insurance companies are updating their policies on. Don’t get caught out, check that your insurer covers working from a shared rental space if necessary. Factor the cost of insurance into your operations budget. 

3. Furnishing your Counselling Room

The level of furnishing your counselling room needs can vary, depending on what is included in your lease. Some rental counselling rooms will provide all necessary furnishings and others will offer more flexibility for you to customise the room. Here are a few things to consider as you look at furnishing your rooms. 

1. Personal Items — Including some personal items in your space, such as your credentials, or drawings from past clients may assist clients in feeling reassured. It is important however to strike the right balance, as too much personalisation may make a client feel like a “visitor” rather than feeling at home in the space. 
2. Bookshelves — In particular if you’ve rented your room on a full-time basis, a bookshelf can be useful for you to have materials you may need on hand. This can be particularly helpful before or after your session, if you’d like to look something up — or if you employ bibliotherapy with clients. 
3. Materials & Storage — Present a professional appearance by having everything you need for your session on hand. Whether it’s calming music, pens, paper, or art supplies — these items need to be stored somewhere. Consider some shelving, or ask your landlord if there is storage facilities available elsewhere, if you don’t have exclusive use of your room. Ensuring you have onsite storage for your materials will save you the hassle of carting your items between home and work. You’ll also save yourself the potential stress of forgotten materials. 
4. Create a Design  — If you have the ability to fully customise your room, get creative and make a design for how you’d like the space to look when finished. This can be on a scrap of paper, on your computer, or even a Pinterest board. But get inspired to make this space special for yourself and your clients. Having a clear picture of what you’d like the room to look like will help you avoid clutter, and stick to a budget. 
5. Budget — Setting up a counselling room can be costly. But it doesn’t have to be. Once you have a clear picture of how you’d like your room to look, make a budget. This should be realistic, considering the funds you have available. Then compare your design and budget, and see what creative solutions you can come up with to make your vision a reality. You’d be surprised what you can achieve for a low price, with a little thinking outside the box. Great style can be affordable. Keep in mind department stores or even second hand. Or ask your friends and family - you may be surprised what is within your budget after all. 

4. What clients want from a Counselling Room

Knowing what your clients expect to experience as they enter your space can be helpful in making sure you’ve offered the best service. Having a great space will enhance the patient’s experience and ultimately make them more open to receiving your care. 

The design of your counselling room can play an important role in the comfort of your clients. 

1. Consider colour - If you’re renting a counselling room, you may not have a lot of control over the colour of the walls of your room. But if possible, try and opt for a space that is painted in neutral colours, such as beige - or light and soothing colours such as cool blues and greens. If the room you’re renting has a wild paint scheme, consider how you may be able to tone it down with some neutral decorations or wall hangings. 
2. Incorporate Nature - The presence of natural elements, even just a small houseplant, has been shown to have a relaxing effect on people. Consider how you could bring some natural elements into your counselling room. 
3. Lighting - Consider lighting options that are adjustable. People have different preferences for how bright or dim they prefer their environments. So long as the lighting is adequate for safety, it can be a nice idea to consider incorporating lamps into your room. This allows your clients to exert some appropriate control over the environment, which in turn can boost their comfort levels. Wherever possible, encourage natural lighting - so if your space has a window, that’s a bonus!
4. Non-Confrontational Seating - Wherever possible, do not place seating areas directly opposite one another. Instead, place chairs on a diagonal, or off centre so that clients do not feel as though the space is confrontational. In the same token, your seating should consider your clients and be appropriate for their needs. Consider what is most comfortable and appropriate for different patients, and accommodate accordingly. Whether the elderly, or a family with children, your clients should be safe and comfortable in your counselling room. It may be helpful to consider seating that is flexible and can be rearranged to how would best suit your clients. 
5. Positive Distractions - In your counselling sessions, difficult topics may arise. By placing items such as artwork or even comforting toys, your clients can shift their attention to these items and receive a break from distressing topics as needed. This can assist in supporting them as they explore topics that may leave them feeling vulnerable. 

5. Assess Your Opportunities

Now you’ve established your business in your leased counselling rooms, it’s time to consider what opportunities you have. Continuing to evaluate the opportunities available to you through the space you lease is an important factor in making the most of your room and experiencing business growth. 

1. Advertising opportunities — As you move into your new counselling room, consider what opportunities you have to make people aware that your business is in operation. Ask about displaying some marketing material at reception, putting your name and business logo on the door, and considering external signage to direct clients to you. Don’t neglect the waiting room, particularly if it’s a shared space. Signage is affordable and easy now, thanks to online printing, so there’s no reason to miss out on extra business by not putting up a sign. Be sure to comply with your landlord’s policies for advertising, particularly in shared spaces. 
2. Networking — If you’re working out of a room that’s in an existing office, or health co-working space, chances are you’ll cross paths with other professionals. Whether you’re introverted, extroverted or somewhere in between, cultivating these relationships can foster potential referrals for your business. Take the time to be courteous and friendly to others in your space. Attend conferences, workshops or events hosted by your co-working space. Running your own practice can be isolating at times, and the business can become exhausting. By connecting with others in a similar working situation to yourself, you’ll develop a professional support system that may become vital to your business. 
3. Professional Development — Keep a lookout for learning opportunities that may be advertised. This is one of the advantages of renting a counselling room through a co-working space. Co-working spaces are spaces that are often purpose-built for like-minded professionals to run their businesses. As a result, these facilities may run events designed to facilitate development and awareness professionally or promote business skill development. If you’re considering hiring a room from a co-working space, ask if they run any events like this. 
4. Word of Mouth — Attracting new clients can be a challenge, but the role of word of mouth shouldn’t be underestimated. Let your network know that you’re now operating, and where. Update your social media and website to announce your business launch. 
5. Mentoring — As previously mentioned, many co-working spaces facilitate what practitioners need to grow their business successfully. Mentoring can be a useful skill for helping your business to grow, and for you to develop as a professional. If renting a room from a co-working space, or an existing clinic, it may be worth exploring mentorship options. Learning in mentorship is beneficial to both parties. 
6. Room to grow — As you continue to practice out of the room, assess how you’d like your business to grow. What opportunities do you have to streamline your services, or reduce wait times, or offer better services? Does your room allow you to grow your business as you’d like to? Continuing to ask this question is important for the development of your business, as a self-reflective practitioner.

Why Wellshare Counselling Rooms?

Wellshare is a health co-working facility operating in Sydney CBD, in the beautiful Dymocks building. Wellshare has a range of rooms for hire, including counselling rooms. Wellshare is distinct from other co-working spaces because it has been developed with the needs of health and wellness professionals in mind. 

Wellshare provides you with a beautiful environment for you to grow your business autonomously. We value flexibility, and offer both full-time and part-time leases to our tenants. 

All leases include:

· 24/7 Access
· Access to internal breakout areas
· Access to kitchen facilities
· Building outgoings included
· Electricity usage included
· Regular cleaning
· Secure high-speed NBN internet​
· Branding on your room door
· Branding at reception
· Direct access to public transport
· Disabled access and facilities
· End of trip facilities e.g shower
· FREE use of HICAPs terminal
· Professional working environment
· Retail and shopping mall in building

Our counselling rooms are designed for your brand to shine through. Customize the space to suit your business and clients. We have a wide range of room sizes, from small to large. Our rooms are an affordable option, providing you with everything you’ll need. 

Each room has been designed to make the most of natural light, and provide spaces that are cozy, but not cramped. For convenience, we have secure facilities to allow you to store your equipment on site. 

But the benefits to your lease don’t stop there. 

Additional Services:
Wellshare loves to offer the best value for its tenants. That’s why we offer a range of additional services that can be added on to your Wellshare experience for an additional fee. 

• Marketing services
• Reception services
• Admin services 
• Appointment management

Mentorship opportunities — Wellshare offers free business development mentorship sessions. In these sessions, you’ll learn from Sydney’s top therapists, what it takes to run a successful counselling business in the CBD. 

Also on the Wellshare team are a number of business experts across — digital marketing, video content producer and copywriting — who are available to assist you in developing your business further. 

Community — Working for yourself can be an isolating experience. We know this because we’ve been there. That’s why at Wellshare, we’re developing a culture of like-minded professionals who strive for success in their business. We offer in-house events and webinars to assist in professional development. These opportunities help you create a name for yourself amongst your peers. 

Growth — Join Wellshares online directory. We’ll provide you with a professional headshot and advice from our in-house entrepreneur, Anthony Bloomfield. Anthony is the founder of Wellshare, with over 15 years experience in helping businesses grow.

Affordability — We know that the cost of owning your own private practice isn’t always worth it. While your name may be on the door in traditional clinic-based practice, the stress and financial strain can be exhausting for many professionals. At Wellshare, we offer affordable solutions for practitioners looking for a new model of private practice. Over the years, we’ve learned that most patient’s don’t care about who owns the clinic, but rather what’s inside. We’ll provide you with the counselling room, waiting room and other facilities so you can reap the benefits of business, without the strain and financial pressure.   

Location — Wellshare is located in the historic Dymocks building in Sydney CBD. Established on George St, your room will be close by to public transport to offer both yourself and your clients’ convenience. Our rooms offer clean and modern design, blended seamlessly with the historical charm of the Dymocks building. With great design and affordable prices, Wellshare offers a wonderful base for practitioners to establish their business.

Ready to hire a counselling room in Sydney? Book a tour at Wellshare.