Renting a Therapy Room by the Hour in Richmond: What to Look For

If you see clients a few hours a week, a full-time office can feel like paying rent on an empty room. Renting a room by the hour lets you work somewhere professional without the lease. But not every room suits therapy or counseling. Here is what we'd look for, and what we've tried to get right at Holistic Life Studios.

1. A door that closes, and walls that keep it private

Your clients need to know that what they say stays in the room. Check that the room is fully private, with a door that closes, and that you can't hear conversations from the next room. Open-plan "pods" and glass meeting booths are fine for a sales call, but not for a session.

2. Somewhere comfortable to sit

A desk and two office chairs won't put anyone at ease. Look for a room set up for conversation: a couch or soft seating, good light and a calm feel. Our Small Purple Room has a giant window, exposed brick, a desk and a session couch, and our Wellness Room has a treatment table, mats, soft lighting and sound machines for bodywork, Reiki and EMDR.

3. Someone on hand

When you're with a client, you can't be answering the door or dealing with a problem in the hallway. Ask whether someone is in the building while you work. At HLS there is always someone here during opening hours, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, for you and your clients.

4. An address your clients can find

A first appointment is stressful enough without getting lost. Check how clients get to the room, where they park and how they get in. We're at 1011 East Main Street, Suite 310, close to the Capitol, the courts and Shockoe Slip, with paid garages and meters nearby and free street parking after 6 PM.

5. Booking that takes a minute, and clear rules

You should be able to see what's free, book it and pay without a string of emails. Read the terms too: what happens if a client cancels, and how much notice you need to give. Our rooms are booked online by the hour, and cancellations made 48 hours or more ahead get a full refund (later than that, you get a credit). The full room booking terms are on our website.

6. A price that fits how you actually work

Hourly rooms suit people who see clients now and then. If you see clients every week, a regular slot usually works out cheaper. At HLS the Small Purple Room is $30 an hour and the Wellness Room $35, with 15% off when you book 4 hours or more. A weekly half day (four hours, same day and time every week) is $250 a month, with no lease.

See it before you book

The best test is to stand in the room and imagine your client walking in. Get in touch and we'll show you around, or see all our rooms and prices.