Hey, gang! You guys are always adding great resources – both common and out-of-the-box solutions to our discussions so today I thought you might help me put together an over-the-top list of ways to find space for your psychotherapy group, class, and workshop needs.
It’s something that I struggle with and something that, I know, many of you struggle with, too.
So I’m asking you to put your Oh-So-Creative-and-Resourceful Thinking Caps on and answer the question by leaving your ideas in the comment section below.
And, if your suggestion is specific to your particular area, please make sure you include the city and state:)
I’ll pull them all together and put them nice and tidy in a post for you on July 29th. Here’s the question . . . .
I have a GREAT idea for a new group / class / workshop that I want to offer but . . . my office is too small! How / where do you find space to host your groups, classes, and workshops?”
Hi Tamara,
Gathering people together for supportive community has been an increasing focus of my practice these past years, for several reasons: 1) it’s time efficient for me… I can pollinate more people in less time. 2) people are increasingly starved for real-live positive connection, and research supports many benefits. 3) it is a great practice builder.
I have often used space at a local retreat center for workshops and study groups. I have also used a large room at our public library. (Many libraries increasingly want to become known as community centers.) Sometimes I will make part of a library based offering a fund raiser for the library. I will include in my workshop announcement (I use EventBrite) that 20% of fee goes to library. Or, if I’m offering a “free” study group there, I’ll have a big jar with a sign on it “Suggested $5.00 donation to library”. I’ll then write a check to the library from my business account as a donation deduction.
I have also run small groups in my office.
Love what ongoing groups do for people!
Thanks, Mary, for the reminder that it’s important to say “thank you” and also financially support those that provide free spaces to us – including the library! I, too, use public libraries and try to make an annual donation to show my own appreciation for the services and spaces they provide.
Hi Tamara:
I appreciate this post because as you know, I am in the midst of finding space for my upcoming art journaling class. So far I have gotten some possible leads with a local church that I had a connection to, and the local high school. I really want to hold it at the church because I think I might get some folks from the church that way, especially if I hold it on a Sunday after the social hour. On the other hand, if I hold it at the high school and the guidance department let me somehow spread the word, there might be some teens that are interested. Either way, as I am getting into this process, I am hopeful that the venue I find may have some built in prospective students, unlike a hotel. I’m super curious to see what others say! Thanks!
Amy
Amy, how smart of you to be weighing the benefits. There are lots of spaces to use and they are not all equal.
In Massachusetts there are co-working spaces, and in some of them you can rent conference rooms by the hour. This one is south of Boston, and I know there are others: http://workstation.co/
Hi, Ella! Welcome to Private Practice from the Inside Out! I’ve used similar spaces here in Colorado. One of the benefits of these spaces is that they typically have all the technology that you could possibly want as well as telephones and copiers, too.
Hey – you can get a little (easy and free) tutorial to set up a tiny picture of you that pops up next to your comments. It’s a great way to help you get seen and get known quicker online:). Here it is – How a Tiny Little Picture of You Can Help Drive Traffic to Your Website.
One idea I used on several occasions is a Volunteer Fire House (Meeting Room or Social Hall). A small donation is expected/required. If workshop or subject matter is a community/town related workshop often you will get the space for free.
Hey, Neal – I had completely forgotten that I once attended a community BBQ that took place in the fire station while visiting in Odessa, Texas! Thanks so much for the suggestion and the memory!
Our professional association meets at a local hotel for our monthly meetings. This is working out nicely for us. Other options might be a private college or a church.
Thanks, Patricia, for offering this idea. Often hotels require that you purchase food as part of your rental agreement.I’m currently looking for someone (maybe a meeting planner . . . maybe a therapist who has done this before) who can guest post on how to negotiate with hotels to get the best price when renting meeting space.
Great question, Tamara! Depending if the group/workshop is for profit or non-profit (aka a community service event), different places may be the right fit. Some places that come to mind include: bank community rooms, libraries, churches, community recreation centers, meeting rooms of fellow colleagues who have space and lend it out, local small or large businesses (maybe work in partnership with them on a project?), or parks with gazebos if that would be the right “feel” for the event. Eager to hear other ideas!
Barbara, thanks so much! I have never used a community room in a bank! Love that idea! I have used gazebos and parks though to do experiential / drama-focused work and my groups have loved that idea. I appreciate you brainstorming with us!
Hi Tamara…this can be a challenge! One way I have handled it is to share one large office space down the hall with another therapist that is just used as a group room. If you are in a building that has some spare offices you may be able to go in with other therapists to share the cost and coordinate usage.
Yes, Linda! Just one more reason to build collegial and collaborative alliances in the field!
Meeting rooms at public libraries can be a good option. The downside in my area (NC) is that in order to use library space, your presentation must be free. I can’t wait to hear other ideas, as this is something I’ve struggled with as well.
Kimberly, thanks for joining in the conversation. I, too, have found that public libraries often prohibit the exchange of money. I was just surveyed by our local library asking about the direction that our libraries should go in. I have fantasies of libraries being expanded to become more like community centers offering community programming for entertainment, education, and inspiration. And, they’ll make spaces of varying sizes available to community members for them to provide programming for the general public and / or private groups. 🙂 Just my own fantasies . . . .
My experience with public libraries was like Kimberly’s. Your presentation had to be free and it had to be open to anyone who wanted to attend.
1. Is there a conference room in your office building you can use/rent?
2. Call your local public library. In Dallas almost all of the libraries have meeting rooms you can schedule for free or a nominal fee. Many of these come with dry-erase boards, etc.
3. Do any of your colleagues have a meeting room they will let you use/rent? I use in in a local suburb and am only charged $15 per session … that covers utilities, etc.
4 Contact you state ACA organization. In Texas the Texas Counseling Association has contracted rates with several different hotel chains for meeting rooms, etc. This works best for larger groups but you may be surprised at how inexpensive it can be if you take non-peak hours and the TCA not only makes the arrangements, they’ll advertise the event and help with registration for a small fee.
I facilitate a support group for parents of children with special needs. We offer free child care and local churches have been wonderful about hosting us free of charge! This works well, as we then have nursery space to have the children in the same location as the meeting and most churches are wheelchair accessible. We have held events at our local parks and at the library, as well.
Tamara, I have occasionally used a conference room that is in our building. It will hold 18 people comfortably and is made available on a reservation basis by our building management office at no charge. Of course there are many other professionals in our building including attorneys, therapists, accountants, marketing firms, insurance agencies, a podiatrist and a community foundation so I must plan ahead if I want to use it. Another option for me includes our public library (with three branches) which can provide a projector and white board if necessary all for a nominal fee. Our local nature center has a very nice conference room; one of the amenities is the beautiful location in a state park. I also believe our two hospitals have workshop space available but I’m not sure of the cost. Banks, credit unions and utility companies traditionally community rooms that community organizations can use. Then there are local churches which have rooms available for no charge or a small fee. We have four colleges in our metropolitan area that allow outside parties to use conference rooms and presentation equipment. Lastly, hotels and motels (costs vary) which have conference space. I guess it depends on your needs for economy, location, privacy and audio-visual equipment.
I wish I had some great suggestions. This is always a challenge for me. I have used several venues.
A small conference room in a hotel was great but I didn’t realize until I paid for the space at the end of the day that I would also have to pay hotel taxes so that was an additional cost I had not factored in.
I have rented space by the hour at a community center but could only afford that hourly fee for a half-day workshop not a full day one.
A church once offered me space but I was concerned that attendees may think my workshop was faith-based because of the location so I passed.
The best arrangement I had was renting a large conference room from another therapist who charged me a flat fee for a day long workshop. That therapist also attended the workshop and I gave her the CE hours for free.
I am currently in the process of starting a new practice in a new state so I am looking for office space with a conference room where I can facilitate the workshops in-house.
I know that in some areas you can reserve rooms at the local library for free. If you use the library they may also let you post flyers to advertise your group!
Hi, Tamara, before I had my own place I used to rent school rooms or a hall depending on the size of the group and activity to be carried out. The Parish center is also a good place to look at and also children’s homes. All these places have spaces which they would willingly rent out.
I recently purchased and remodeled an 1145 sq ft house to use as counseling offices. I have a nice waiting room with seating for five to seven adults and two children, and handicap accessible parking and washroom. A cheerful children’s therapy room, an office/adult therapy room for me. Additionally, there is a nice sized office/therapy space for professionals who want to rent space on an as needed basis. In addition to these areas, there is a kitchen slash break room slash receptionist area.
I would love to host groups in my space. The way that I conceptualized this is that we would all come together in one group for instruction, break into small groups utilizing the several smaller spaces, and then come back to the biggest space to share and update the entire group. I envisioned using low tech things like a white board and poster boards. All of the spaces are decorated in comfortable and inviting colors with thoughtful artwork that has been accumulated from various charity auctions over the years. I purchased all the interior furnishings from local second hand stores, and it gives the office a comfortable/homey feel without being like a visit to your great-aunt Gertrude (no pinched cheeks required). I am only just starting my office, no real advertising or marketing has been done yet. But I have big hopes that new therapists will launch their careers from this warm space, and clients will look upon their experiences within these walls as healing ones. Does all that sound way to Polly-Ann-ish?
Kathi, this sounds lovely! Thank you for taking time to share your dream with us! If you would like others who drop in here to know that your space if available for rent when they are needing group / classroom space, feel free to include your street address (including city, state, country) and other contact info. Happy to include it in our list!
And, for the many of you that have been adding to our list, not to worry! I’ve been gathering all your suggestions to include in one neat and easy-to-access post that will go live on Tuesday, July 29, 2014! At that time, I’ll go back and publish all of your more-detailed comments that you’ve left here, too!
One more to add to the list…. I recently went to a locally owned coffee house and saw that they rent their space out on off hours. I thought what a brilliant marketing strategy for them and an opportunity for me to have a group gathering in a casual environment.
Hello. I’m a retired counselor seeking to have a peer led support group for Parents of Estranged Adult Children. Once or twice a month. We need a meeting space from 6-7:30. Thanks!
Hi, Laurie! What a great idea! Is there a need in your community? And, is there anything we can do to help?