Therapists’ experience of walk and talk therapy: A descriptive phenomenological study

Revell, Stephanie; McLeod, John

doi:10.1080/13642537.2017.1348377

Cited by 21 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Nature is sometimes utilized with specific therapeutic purposes in mental health settings, such as being a new therapeutic space different from indoor psychotherapy (Berger & Mcleod, 2006;Jordan, 2014;Jordan & Marshall, 2010, Revell & Mcleod, 2016Revell & Mcleod, 2017), or to engage patients in specific activities or experiences (Berman et al, 2012;Corazon, Schilhab, & Stigsdotter, 2011;Corazon, Stigsdotter, Moeller, & Rasmussen, 2012). The therapeutic use of nature can have various connotations and grounding theories (Stigsdotter et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Significance of nature in a clinical setting and its perceived therapeutic value from patients’ perspective

Dybvik

Sundsford

Wang

et al. 2018

European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling

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The effect that nature can have on the development of mental health and the implications for recovery is important for understanding the impact nature has on humans, as well as delineating possible alternative venues for treating psychological problems. The present qualitative study examined how individuals understand the significance of nature in relation to their mental health and treatment. Twelve participants in residential treatment for varying nonpsychotic mental health issues were interviewed about previous and present experiences with nature and the meaning these experiences have for them in recovery. Thematic analysis resulted in the creation of two main themes: «being human in nature» which included three sub-themes "experience of nature", "effects on focus and attention", and "change and the transformative in nature", and «nature, the patient and treatment» with two sub-themes "nature as therapy" and "nature and therapy". Participants describe a feeling of coming closer to themselves, to their problems and existential meanings when in nature. In addition, they report being able to make new relational experiences with other patients, and that some experiences in nature can function as symbolic tools in therapy. The study underlines the complex interrelationships between nature and humans and points to new lines for future research.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Significance of nature in a clinical setting and its perceived therapeutic value from patients’ perspective

Dybvik

Sundsford

Wang

et al. 2018

European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling

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“…The search for common meaning in outdoor therapy has proven to be challenging [1]. Discussions across the world have sought, and continue to seek, a mutual definition for outdoor therapy [2,3].…”

Section: Outdoor Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…McKinney [9] suggests the neutral and shared outdoor space and use of physical activities encourages a collaborative framework of practice. Therapists become responsive to the client’s needs, promoting empowerment, equality, and client-centred practice [1]. The therapeutic space “collaboratively emerges, is constantly negotiated and is unique with each client” [1] (p. 10).…”

Section: Outdoor Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therapists become responsive to the client’s needs, promoting empowerment, equality, and client-centred practice [1]. The therapeutic space “collaboratively emerges, is constantly negotiated and is unique with each client” [1] (p. 10). McKinney [9] suggests that working in this way can speed up the pace at which the client and therapist begin to engage with presenting issues.…”

Section: Outdoor Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Whilst previous studies have contributed to understanding the altered client–therapist dynamic [3,7,9,10], there remains scope to understand the lived-experience of these encounters in greater depth and gain nuanced accounts from practitioners [6]. Similarly, Revell and McLeod [1] encourage researchers to investigate an accurate perception of both positive and negative accounts from practice to further discussion around best-practice.…”

Section: Outdoor Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Outdoor Therapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Examining the Lived-Experience, Embodied, and Therapeutic Process through Interpersonal Process Recall

Schwenk

2019

Sports

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This research explores an innovative methodology for understanding the process and practice of UK-based outdoor therapists. Recent studies address the need to expand circles of knowledge, and capture the lived-experience of outdoor practitioners to examine the ‘altered’ therapeutic process and frame. Interpersonal process recall (IPR) methodology offers a nuanced and contextualised lived-experience of outdoor therapists. IPR includes three phases: (1) initial-interview; (2) post-session-reflective-recording; and (3) an IPR-interview to replay and explore the participants’ recorded reflections of the outdoor therapy session. The sample included three UK-based outdoor therapists. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to qualitatively analyze the data. The study presents the theme of ‘transitional landscapes—transitional thinking’, which explores the embodied experience, the parallel process between the client and therapist, and watching for drift. The findings provide insight for training and supervision and generates constructive dialogue amongst outdoor therapists. The research supports IPR as a methodology offering participant and researcher experiential and reflective positions. Parallels are drawn in relation to existing research, literature, and contemporary professional issues surrounding outdoor therapy as a mental health treatment.

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Investigating clients' experiences of walk and talk counselling

Newman¹,

Gabriel

2022

Couns and Psychother Res

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Background The use of “walk and talk” counselling has recently increased due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, concurrent with an increased awareness of the benefits of the outdoors, nature and exercise on mental health. Walk and talk counselling is relatively new and seemingly easy to incorporate for everyday counsellors. However, there is limited previous research on this form of counselling. Aim This study aimed to investigate how the client experiences walk and talk counselling in a natural outdoor environment. Method To evaluate the client's lived experience of walk and talk counselling, online semi‐structured interviews with five adult participants in the United Kingdom (UK) were analysed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method. Findings The general outlook on walk and talk was positive. There was a feeling of informality, and a relational equalising element, but these aspects did not appear to detract from the professional relationship. There was an appreciation of nature, although there was an element of not noticing it. Timing was more fluid, and there were positive and negative aspects of the outdoor walking. Limitations A small sample size limits the wider application of these findings. Implications Further research is required to support further guidelines and training for practitioners. Implications for practice include the consideration of client preferences and a more fluid approach to contracting, a need for increased awareness of physical and psychological safety and a consideration of the relational dynamic when walking outdoors. Conclusion Walk and talk is a viable alternative to indoor counselling. It proved useful in a pandemic and for clients who would not consider indoor counselling.

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Therapists’ experience of walk and talk therapy: A descriptive phenomenological study

Cited by 21 publications

References 68 publications

Significance of nature in a clinical setting and its perceived therapeutic value from patients’ perspective

Significance of nature in a clinical setting and its perceived therapeutic value from patients’ perspective

Outdoor Therapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Examining the Lived-Experience, Embodied, and Therapeutic Process through Interpersonal Process Recall

Investigating clients' experiences of walk and talk counselling

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