Kate Rochford was Skene Business Centres’ first client to move into 2 Queen's Gardens back in November 2018. Today she runs Aberdeen Psychotherapy from 7 Queen’s Gardens, currently working out of a spacious 156sq ft. office that she’s converted into an intimate welcoming space for clients and visitors alike.

“Queen’s Garden offers a wonderful space with everything provided. There’s a secure reception with a security controlled door. I used to work evenings so details like that mattered to me. I want to help my clients feel welcome and safe, and recognise how much it may have taken for them to be here. This was important when I was choosing my therapy room, which I hope respects my client’s journey and starts building trust in the therapy process. The rooms have large windows, another small but important detail, providing lots of light and a pleasant view which can help clients ground themselves and feel more comfortable. In practical terms the location is also handy for clients with easy parking and a smart waiting area.”

Kate started her time at 2 Queen’s Gardens in a smaller 90sq ft space, but lockdown meant that she used Skene’s office options differently, tapping into their popular Virtual Office option.

“During lockdown I kept a virtual office through Skene’, explains Kate. ‘I felt it was important and ethical to maintain a presence here, it offered clients a sense of continuity. If a client looked me up, the business hadn’t moved, it was still at Queen’s Gardens. If they sent me a letter, Skene Business Centres simply forwarded it to me, but in the client’s mind I was still there, based in Queen’s Gardens where they expected me to be, a familiar location.’

‘After lockdown I was seeking a larger room, when I developed my psychotherapy work to include couples and intimate partners. It was easy to directly approach Maeghan, the director at Skene Business Centres, and choose a larger room. I packed up my furnishings and it was all moved to my new top floor office, I didn’t even have to be here.”

Kate’s new room was a blank canvas but she has added mirrors, pictures, bookshelves, props, plus her own furniture. She also uses communal facilities such as the printing and the kitchens, where elements of socialisation and chats between SBC clients occur.

“Ultimately Skene provide a high level of service and I also like the fact they’re a local Aberdeen company. The buildings are so beautiful as well and in great neighbourhoods — I enjoy investing in my therapy room to help reflect how much I value my clients. Many office rental companies offer one or two great factors, but SBC combined service, beauty, location, safety and a manned reception. Lastly, Rebecca in reception checks in to update how we’re doing things, in terms of welcoming my clients, so the attention to detail is there too. This space works for me and my clients.”

aberdeenpsychotherapy.com

Author and Photography: Janice Hopper     Photography: First Photographics

“Queen’s Garden offers a wonderful space with everything provided."