After spending the last seven years in our original location, today I write to you from our brand-new office at 1440 Maple Avenue, and I could not be happier with how it is coming together. This new space is much larger, with two treatment rooms, a group area, a conference room where we can offer workshops and other programs, a private bathroom, and even a little nook where we can offer coffee, tea, and water. Not only do we have much more space in the new location, we have windows! Yes, actual windows that we can open for fresh air and natural light. No more cave-like atmosphere! No matter how warm and cozy we were able to make it, the new space is all about natural light and plenty of room to fulfill our mission.
So much natural light at the new location of Forward Emotion.
The New Forward Emotion Office Supports our Overall Mission
The new Forward Emotion office provides so much space to serve clients.
Finding a larger location has been part of my vision for Forward Emotion for a long time, and I have been working hard to turn this vision into a reality. Each year I create a vision board and write in great detail what I plan to achieve. This new space will help Erica, Sabrina, and myself fulfill our mission of reaching more clients and helping more people experience improved mental health. This larger location will also allow me to add to our team with additional alternative practitioners like a massage therapist and providers who offer other modalities and specialties. We can also increase the size and frequency of our workshops in a way that the previous location could not accommodate.
Finding the New Forward Emotion Office
Finding the perfect location for the Forward Emotion office has been a long process. I could not have found such an incredible space without the help of my friend and real estate agent Melissa Mathis of Wenzel Select Properties. I told her a few years ago that I was looking for a larger office in Lisle. She has been so patient and so kind as I have found multiple spaces to look at, none of which were quite right until we found the location at 1440 Maple. Finding the office was truly serendipitous, and Melissa helped me figure everything out throughout the entire process. I cannot thank her enough, and I highly recommend her. If you are looking for a new home, that is her specialty!
Designing the New Forward Emotion Office
I love to design things, so designing the new office will be a work in progress for a little while. I am still adding additional furniture and artwork. The frame wall will return, as it is an important metaphor for looking at ourselves and reframing our thoughts. The peacock print that was a focal point of the other office has been hung, and other peacock elements have been placed around the office. You may start seeing octopus show up since that is my new favorite. In fact, watch for a blog in the near future in which I will talk about why symbolism and the meanings of animals are so important to the work I do.
This new artwork has the exact message that we support.
I found some gorgeous new artwork to share my message of “inhale the good shit, exhale the bad shit” and I am planning on having local artists and female small business owners set up a display in the future in a special section of the room. I am also working on a handmade sign, using a Dremel tool for the first time to create a new sign. I know it will not be perfect, but it will definitely be made with love. Most recently I added some iridescent window coverings to the interior door panels, to give some privacy to the treatment rooms. I am hoping it will create rainbows in the office when the natural light shines through.
Iridescent window coverings for privacy and sparkling light.
Currently Scheduling a Mix of In-Person Appointments and Telemedicine
Right now, we are seeing a few clients a day in the new office, and others via telehealth. We limit our in-person clients each day so that we can clean the office between appointments for the safety of everyone. However, Erica, Sabrina, and I cannot wait until we can be fully up and running with clients stopping by on a regular basis, workshops on the schedule, and maybe even an evening wine-painting night. Until then, though, we are available for in-office or telehealth appointments. Please enjoy the photos and I cannot wait to connect with everyone in the new office.
