Demand for behavioral health support is large – and growing. However, according to the HRSA’s State of the Behavioral Workforce 2024 publication, the nation is experiencing a shortage of behavioral health support at all age levels. More than one-third of Americans live in a region with a shortage of mental health professionals.
If you’re considering opening a behavioral health practice, now is the ideal time to hang out your shingle. But before you sign that lease, consider the unique needs of your future practice.
Federal, State, and Safety Regulations and Requirements
In behavioral health, safety is paramount. These facilities must meet specific government regulations and safety requirements, and we recommend always consulting with experts to ensure that your space is aligned with local and state laws—for example, the ability to lock down if needed. Additional design considerations may arise depending on the typical length of stay, and whether your facility works with youth, older patients, patients dealing with substance abuse issues, or with additional medical needs.
Balancing Safety and Hospitality
While staff and patient safety is a crucial part of behavioral health practice design, it must be balanced with the need to create a comforting, hospitable space that supports positive outcomes. According to the Center for Health Design, key considerations are creating a “home-like”, organized space that supports noise control, privacy, daylight, and nature views, access to the outdoors, support for social interaction, and positive distraction. Soothing wall art and wall coverings, together with efficient, low-anxiety design and flow are also considerations. When approached with care, these design interventions can help support both the physical and psychological well-being of patients.
Your Unique Patient Mix
No two behavioral health clinics are the same, and the specific design needs of your space will depend on the specific mental health concerns you focus on and your approach to treatment. For example, if much of your care is via telehealth, then small, private, soundproofed rooms with excellent IT infrastructure matter. If you work with individual patients who aren’t experiencing acute symptoms, then private, hospitality-style rooms for individual practitioners might be the focus. If patients will be staying overnight or long-term, considerations such as patients per room, bathroom design, and traffic flow in and out of rooms matter. Visibility is also crucial in high-observation areas or practices. Before designing, conduct a safety risk assessment, and if needed, ensure that mitigating features are identified and provided.
Explore Adaptable Design
If your facility treats both inpatients and outpatients, consider an adaptable design to help provide treatment options for a wide swathe of patient types. Multi-purpose rooms, modular furniture, and movable walls can help practitioners adapt to changing needs from day to day – whether you’re hosting a group session one day or speaking with an individual the next. This doesn’t just apply to patient areas: explore how staff areas can be designed to support multiple uses and efficient, effective outcomes.
Are You Looking to Open a Behavioral Health Practice? Talk to GZ!
Looking to fill the gap with a new clinic, outpatient practice, or hospital? Talk to the medical real estate experts at GZ. We can help you identify the ideal space for your needs, and work with you to ensure that your new space meets regulatory and safety requirements – before the lease is signed. To explore our available spaces, or for help negotiating a lease, drop us a line!