Designing Healing Spaces for Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery

“One of the things that we want to try to work on is the stigma that is still associated with mental health and substance use challenges. We want a beautiful space where people feel like they can come to be comfortable and a space where they can heal.”
-Aileen Brady, MPA, Chief Executive Officer, Community Alliance

Kurt Johnson stands in front of one of KJP’s back-lit Impressionism images at Omaha’s Community Alliance.

We talk a lot about how our art has a job to do, and we can’t think of a better example than the Reflection Room inside Community Alliance’s new Center for Mental Health in Omaha, Nebraska.

Community Alliance takes a holistic approach to mental health care by integrating both physical and mental healthcare in one building, utilizing thoughtful architectural design to complement its comprehensive services – something increasingly important to the Omaha community. It’s a place where individuals can learn, recover, grow, and contribute in an uplifting, supportive environment.

With comprehensive health services, including psychiatric and counseling services, primary healthcare, rehabilitation programs, and more, having a space dedicated to mental and emotional support and recovery emphasizes the importance of addressing all aspects of health and wellness. This multi-faceted approach is essential when it comes to designing healing spaces for mental health and substance use recovery.

A uniquely designed feature of Community Alliance’s new space is its Reflection Room, a restorative room tucked away inside the building that uses the healing power of nature art to foster healing and well-being.  Designed for mindfulness and contemplation, the Reflection Room is a place where individuals can pause, de-stress, and rejuvenate.  The intention was to create a restful room with spa-like imagery that allows viewers to find moments of calm by immersing themselves in the tranquility of nature.

To bring this vision to life, Community Alliance chose our Impressionism images to create a calming experience for individuals served, visitors, and staff.  KJP’s Impressionism images blend Kurt’s signature nature photography with rich colors, layered compositions, and painterly brushstrokes to create nature-inspired images that feel more like paintings than photos.

The images offer a sense of connection to the outdoors, which has been shown to reduce stress and promote physical and mental healing – by engaging the senses, Impressionism images provide soothing, positive distractions.

Developed in collaboration with artist Jerred Zegelis from KJP’s creative team, this unique style adds movement and depth to Kurt’s original nature images, transforming natural scenes into expressive, healing visuals—perfect when designing healing spaces for mental health and substance use recovery.

Carolyn & Kurt Johnson review a custom built frame with Doug Buchanan of Renze Display.

Renze Display played a crucial role in transforming these images into a fully integrated, multi-dimensional art installation.

By digitally separating our images into multiple layers, they created a 3D effect similar to looking through a viewfinder.

Each image was printed on multiple panels and housed in custom, back-lit metal frames, which were seamlessly built into the curved, fabric walls of the Reflection Room.  The seating in the center of the room was designed to mirror these curves, allowing individuals to find different places to sit and experience unique, uplifting nature views from every angle.

Renze’s ability to produce complex, layered designs and seamlessly integrate the artwork into the architecture ensured that the final result was beautiful and functional.  This type of hands-on approach is transformative when it comes to designing healing spaces for mental health and substance use recovery.

The Reflection Room has exceeded expectations already.  Aileen Brady, MPA, Chief Executive Officer of Community Alliance, expressed the overwhelmingly positive response they’ve received so far:

“The reflection room has already been used more than we imagined … It’s become a refuge, you might say, on a difficult day, whether it’s the person that we serve or for our staff. It’s an opportunity to come take a breath, look at this beautiful artwork, and get another new refreshed look at the day.”

Kurt & Carolyn Johnson talking to Community Alliance CEO, Aileen Brady.

She adds, “The beauty of these photos has meant the world to what this room was intended to mean. The artwork by Kurt Johnson Photography has more than met and exceeded our expectations. It has been so well received by the people that we serve, so well received by our donor community, and so well received by our visitors every day.”

By integrating intentional design, immersive artwork, and thoughtful collaboration, Community Alliance has created a space that truly embodies the spirit of recovery.  This deliberate, hands-on approach is essential when designing healing spaces for mental health and substance use recovery.

The Reflection Room is a testament to nature’s powerful impact in supporting mental and emotional well-being, ensuring that everyone who walks through its doors can find peace, healing, and a renewed sense of hope.

Click here to take a virtual tour of the space.