Selma Yanik specialises in providing psychotherapy for children and teens so her office rental requirements are particular when welcoming youngsters dealing with trauma, anxiety and other issues. Selma was initially subletting and sharing office space in Aberdeen, but as her client roster grew and her landlord changed direction she faced three weeks to find somewhere new.

"Many of my clients don’t particularly like change so finding somewhere new was daunting’, says Selma. ‘I was initially really shocked at THE viewings I experienced. I saw places with mould, they were dirty, and I was shocked at the prices the agents were expecting. When I met Maeghan at Skene Business Centre she was very efficient, we discussed two beautiful SBC locations at Queens Garden and Rubislaw Den North. I felt SBC was the only place that seemed to care, rather than agents who disappear once you’ve signed the contract. I still deal with Maeghan all the time, she’s personal and reliable.’

‘Leaving my former office space was a blessing in disguise,’ continues Selma. ‘My old office was located in a basement. I couldn’t open the window, it could be cold, there was less light and no client parking was provided. If my customers are stressed over parking that really doesn’t help the situation.’

‘At Rubislaw Den I have space. A 20 square meter four-desk office. Maeghan organised a swift repaint of the room, replaced a heater as requested and we swapped out some furniture as I wished to use my own. Rubislaw Den is a wonderfully quiet location, there’s a calming view over greenery, I have a corner set aside for trauma-based therapy with beanbags, books and games, there’s a consultation area, my work desk and a bed for my support dog Loki.’

Selma moved into the Rubislaw Den site in 2020. She regularly uses the communal kitchen, break-out space, outdoor seating, gardens and the remote reception (run from Queens Gardens) and she values the free tenant and client parking.

“Many of the offices I’d viewed didn’t include bills. The Skene properties have everything included, from cleaning and wifi to heating, so I can budget every month without surprises. Also, because I’d moved to Scotland from Dubai, I didn’t know how all the providers work here, and SBC took that worry away. Initially I was a little dubious about being based in a primarily residential area, but clients often arrive on foot, it’s a lovely walk, past beautiful houses with lots of trees. I’ve been able to deck the office out with lots of plants and quirky details, as the children love this. It was easy to put up bookshelves and paintings.”

Another core value Selma appreciates is the relationship between the clients and SBC, communication and being listened to.

“When the Rubislaw Den property moved from a manned reception to a remote one I was sceptical and initially unhappy, but I was able to talk directly to Maeghan about it, understand why it was happening, how it would operate, and it actually works really well. That personal relationship matters. Another detail I recall — when I arrived rolling news was screened in the client waiting room, war, stabbings etc. None of it restful for my young clients. After a request it’s been switched to calming screensavers. The future for my company is here because I feel at home here and I consider time here my mindful time.”

https://psychotherapy-yanik.com/

Author and photography: Janice Hopper

"Rubislaw Den is a wonderfully quiet location, there’s a calming view over greenery."