Am I crazy for thinking about this??

[EdiePA]

A friend of mine is a Christian counselor with his own firm. He was working out of space in a church, but is now looking for office space. Since my divorce, I still live in our family home (3000 sq. ft.) and I really don't want to move. I don't use the dining room or livingroom and off of those rooms are two smaller rooms that could be used a offices.

I'm thinking about offering the space to him at the cost of the extra utilities. Am I nuts?? I don't think I just came to this idea on my own, it may be God inspired. My house is set up that I could use the bedrooms, family room and kitchen without ever knowing that the business is there.

Also, the zoning where I am allows for in home offices -- so, what would you do?

TIA
Edie

 

[roseprincess]

Well, I guess it depends. Is your counselor friend married or seriously dating someone? If he is, probably not a good idea to offer him your home for office space.
You really don't want to put him and yourself in a compromising position of anything being more than a platonic friendship, if he is married, engaged, or seriously dating someone. I know this is innocent, to offer part of your home for office space.

Also, with the HIPPA confidentiality laws,don't know if he would feel comfortable having his clients' papers, stuff out on his desk all the time when he is not there using your home office space. He could probably lock up all his client's files in a locked file cabinet all the time. And also when his clients
come by for therapy sessions, that might feel a little awkward that someone else(you) live there.

Would the church refer him to certain office space off campus? That might be best for him. I'm sure he'll be fine finding office space himself.


Rosemarie

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not that you are crazy but considering the nature of the business he is in, I would say no.

 

[BavarianPrincess]

For me, it would depend on the kind of clients he sees. If they have the potential to be dangerous, then I would feel uncomfortable, but if not, and if the set-up works for him, then I'd go for it.

 

[chell]

For me, it would depend on the kind of clients he sees. If they have the potential to be dangerous, then I would feel uncomfortable, but if not, and if the set-up works for him, then I'd go for it.

This is pretty much what I was thinking also.