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Journals / Modular Journal / 2026 / Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1

Therapy in Space: How Do Psychotherapy Approaches Shape Interior Spatial Design?

Mekânda Terapi: Psikoterapi Yaklaşımları İç Mekân Kurgusunu Nasıl Biçimlendirir?

Fatma Zişan Yolcu(IŞIK ÜNİVERSİTESİ, MİMARLIK VE TASARIM FAKÜLTESİ, İÇ MİMARLIK BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0002-4312-6979
Pages
222–245
Publication Date
2026-06-22
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, the study demonstrates that therapeutic spaces should not be treated as universal or standardized environments, but rather as flexible, relationship-oriented, and approach-specific spatial systems within interior design discourse.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Psychotherapy is influenced not only by clinical techniques and verbal interaction, but also by the physical environment in which it occurs.
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Key Findings & Data:The therapy space operates as a silent interface that supports the therapeutic relationship, while different psychotherapeutic approaches generate distinct spatial requirements in interior design.
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Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, the study demonstrates that therapeutic spaces should not be treated as universal or standardized environments, but rather as flexible, relationship-oriented, and approach-specific spatial systems within interior design discourse.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Terapi odası · İyileştirici mekân · Psikoterapi kuramları

Abstract

Psychotherapy is influenced not only by clinical techniques and verbal interaction, but also by the physical environment in which it occurs. The therapy space operates as a silent interface that supports the therapeutic relationship, while different psychotherapeutic approaches generate distinct spatial requirements in interior design. This study assumes that, despite standardized designs, different approaches create specific spatial needs regarding therapist–client relationship, interaction style, spatial distance, orientation, and movement freedom. Within this scope, psychoanalytic, Adlerian, existential, person-centered, Gestalt, and cognitive behavioral therapy approaches were analyzed through a ‘theory–therapeutic relationship–space’ framework. A standardized 4×4 meter therapy room was defined for comparative purposes, and spatial organization schemes were developed for each approach. The findings show that psychotherapeutic paradigms directly shape spatial organization. Psychoanalytic therapy emphasizes fixed and controlled arrangements; Adlerian therapy promotes egalitarian and flexible configurations; existential and person-centered approaches prioritize safe, non-hierarchical, and relational environments; Gestalt therapy requires open and action-oriented spaces that support experiential processes; and cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on functional, structured, and adaptable settings. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that therapeutic spaces should not be treated as universal or standardized environments, but rather as flexible, relationship-oriented, and approach-specific spatial systems within interior design discourse.

Özet

Psikoterapi süreci yalnızca terapötik teknikler ve sözel etkileşimler üzerinden değil bu süreci çevreleyen fiziksel mekânın sunduğu koşullar üzerinden de şekillenmektedir. Terapi mekânı, terapötik ilişkinin kurulmasını, sürdürülmesini ve derinleşmesini destekleyen sessiz bir arayüz olarak işlev görmekte ve farklı psikoterapi yaklaşımlarının kuramsal varsayımları, iç mekân kurgusunda farklı tasarım beklentileri üretmektedir. Bu bağlamda çalışma, terapi mekânlarının çoğunlukla standart ve yaklaşımdan bağımsız çözümlerle ele alınmasına karşın, farklı psikoterapi yaklaşımlarının terapist-danışan ilişkisi, etkileşim biçimi, mekânsal mesafe, yönelim ve hareket serbestliği açısından farklı mekânsal ihtiyaçlar ürettiği varsayımına dayanmaktadır. Çalışmada psikanalitik, Adlerci, varoluşçu, birey merkezli, gestalt ve bilişsel davranışçı terapi yaklaşımları, ‘kuram-terapötik ilişki-mekân’ sistematiği çerçevesinde analiz edilmiştir. Karşılaştırmalı değerlendirmelerin yapılabilmesi amacıyla 4×4 metre ölçülerinde standart bir terapi odası tipolojisi belirlenmiş ve her yaklaşım için mekânsal organizasyon şemaları geliştirilmiştir. Bulgular, psikoterapi kuramlarının terapi mekânının organizasyonunu doğrudan etkilediğini göstermektedir. Psikanalitik yaklaşım sabit ve kontrollü bir düzen önerirken Adlerci yaklaşım eşitlikçi ve esnek bir mekânsal kurgu sunmaktadır. Varoluşçu ve birey merkezli terapiler güvenli, hiyerarşisiz ve ilişkisel alanları öne çıkarırken gestalt terapi hareket ve deneyimi destekleyen açık mekânlara ihtiyaç duymaktadır. Bilişsel davranışçı terapide ise işlevsel ve uyarlanabilir mekânsal düzenlemeler önem kazanmaktadır. Sonuç olarak çalışma, terapötik mekânların psikoterapi yaklaşımlarına özgü, esnek ve ilişki odaklı biçimde tasarlanması gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Yolcu, F. Z. (2026). Therapy in Space: How Do Psychotherapy Approaches Shape Interior Spatial Design?. Modular Journal, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 1, 222–245. https://doi.org/10.59389/modular.1864465

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