Mind, Body, Soul & Space
by Crystal Schelle, Martinsburg Journal staff writer
February 20, 2006

MARTINSBURG - Linda Parkhill of Hedgesville just wanted a space where she and her counseling clients could feel at ease.

"I started in private practice seven years ago," Parkhill says, a licensed professional counselor. "And I noticed a lack of appropriate office space."

In most cases, counselors work part-time leasing office space where available and what was affordable. She knew there were other people in similar professions who had the same problem.

With a background in real estate development, Parkhill decided to take matters into her own hands. The result is the Parkhill Center, located at 93 Crimson Circle in Martinsburg, where professionals can rent office space for the time they need.

Because she uses the holistic approach when it comes to treating her clients, Parkhill wanted to find other professionals who offers similar practices.

Working with the idea of a flexible lease, Parkhill has set up the facility so that it works for the type of professionals who would need the use of the center. Tenants can lease only the hours or days they need. The day is broken into morning or afternoon hours, with tenants renting for their needs. Office space is also available to be rented all day long.

"Not everyone is financially able to lease a full-time space," she says, "They get what is available, not what's appropriate."

In the great room, clients can wait on overstuffed furniture with large glass windows facing the still unfinished courtyard. Parkhill says planting was delayed because of the weather. However, once spring has arrived the courtyard will include a fountain, walkways and mediation spaces.

There are five offices on each side of the U-shaped building, with a loveseat, table and chair and a 6-foot window that looks into the courtyard. Two rooms are set up especially for massage therapists, with private access to a bathroom. Walls are painted in soothing colors of seafoam greens, light yellows, deep blue-purples and calming blues.

She says the walls aren't soundproof, but have extra insulation to muffle any voices from the next room. And satellite radio is piped in throughout the entire office space, with each room having the option to control the volume.

Other amenities include a kitchenette and an office room that will allow tenants to use a copier and fax machine. A conference room is also included in the layout.

"The theory is that the community will use it," Parkhill says of the conference room. "You can set it up depending on what you need."

The room is supplied with folding tables and chairs to make the room easy to adapt to any meeting. Recently, the Problem Gambler Network of West Virginia held its training session in the room.

And if one tenant is in need of some down time, Parkhill has also included a meditation room. "This is where they can come and decompress and cool their jets," she says.

Her holistic approach to her practice was also included in the design of the center. Parkhill says she used feng shui throughout.

The Rev. Alice Thornton of Shenandoah Pastoral Counseling Service is Parkhill's first tenant.

Thornton says the sight is "perfect." Newly moved to West Virginia from Virginia, Thornton says she was based in Charles Town until her rent doubled.

"I needed a place that was close, and this had the perfect location," she says.

Thornton, who has been a pastoral counselor since 1980, says the idea of renting the space only when she needed it appealed to her.

For years she worked part time when she was married and had become semi-retired. But after a recent divorce, Thornton found herself needing to depend on the income counseling provided her.

She says the center helps because she doesn't have to worry about the overhead, the fax machine and other items. And because she only charges on sliding scale, Thornton says the center offers everything she needs within her budget. "It has a lot of bells and whistles," she says.

She says the Parkhill Center offers her the space she needs without the extra worries. "It was like a gift from heaven," she says.
Carol Bragg will also be moving into the Parkhill Center. She is a certified clinical addictions counselor and is just starting up her practice.

"Linda and I have been friends for years," Bragg says. "We are both very holistic in our personal lives as well as in our professional work."

In addition to her friendship with Parkhill, Bragg says what attracted her to the center is the flexible leasing. "If I only need four hours a week, I only have to rent for what I need," she says.

Bragg says the Parkhill Center has a "very positive energy flow." She says the colors really give the center a "relaxed atmosphere."
She says she also hopes to expand into another practice as an energy worker.

Parkhill says she hopes the space will encourage a network for other professionals. Beyond massage therapists and counselors, Parkhill says she wants to also attract other similar professions such as chiropractors and energy workers.

"This is an isolating profession," she says of counseling. "Support is very important in the community."

Although the idea is for therapists, Parkhill also sees the center being a place that could be rented by telecommuters. "It's very practical for many professionals," she says.

- Staff writer Crystal Schelle can be reached at 263-8931, Ext. 213, or cschelle@journal-news.net.