Providing a Safe Environment

This week we talked about providing a safe environment and I take this to mean a couple of different things. If you work with children you may want to have a toy box filled with various toys so the child who is coming in may feel safe talking about different things through play. Or crayons so the child can draw pictures. But if you work with adults you may also want the toy box as some consumers may bring their children in and the toys can be used as tools to keep the child entertained. I know that when I take my son into any appointment with me a box of toys keeps him out of my hair (well almost keeps him out of my hair) and I am able to pay attention to the person I am talking to.
I think if your able to you should put pictures on the wall to make it look less like an office and more like your own place. As it makes it easy to talk someone if the place is not so state hospital like unless that is what the boss is looking for. 
I am a firm believer in white nose as it make me personally work easier and I think for a consumer to come in and know that no one on the other side of the door will hear what is being spoken of will help. I understand that not all offices are closed off in there own room and that they can be cubicals  but figuring out some way to make it private I feel is very important. 
But you can make the space look as warm and welcoming as possible but if your body langue is saying something different then I am here to listen the consumer isn't going to want to open up. From what I have read that seems to be one of the most important things is not to block the conversation but to enhance it. Which only makes sense.