Newman, Erica and Gabriel, Lynne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8144-090X (2023) Investigating the client's experience of walk and talk counselling. Counselling & Psychotherapy Research, 23 (1). pp. 125-133.

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Abstract

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. There is limited previous research. 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 Interpretive 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, though there was an element of not noticing it. Timing was more fluid and there were positive and negative aspects of the walking outdoors. Limitations: A small sample limiting wider application of findings. Implications: Policy – Further research is required to support further guidelines and training for practitioners. Practice – 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, 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.

Keywords: ‘walk and talk’ ‘outdoor’ ‘wild’ ‘nature’ therapy, counselling or psychotherapy; mental health; client preferences.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	"This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Newman, Erica and Gabriel, Lynne (2022) Investigating the client's experience of walk and talk counselling. Counselling & Psychotherapy Research which has been published in final form at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/capr.12567. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."
Status:	Published
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12567
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/6483

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