“Put on Your Walking Shoes”: A Phenomenological Study of Clients’ Experience of Walk and Talk Therapy

Author(s)

Arie T. Greenleaf, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Joseph M. Williams, University of Virginia
Jackie Leibsohn, Seattle University
Jiwoo Park, Seattle University
Bailey Walther, Seattle University

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Creativity in Mental Health

ISSN

1540-1391

Publication Date

4-26-2023

Abstract

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many therapists and their clients found it uncomfortable being indoors with others for extended periods. As a result, some mental health counselors pivoted to having their sessions outdoors, referred to as “Walk and talk therapy”. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand adult clients’ (n = 7) lived experiences of walk and talk therapy. Two themes emerged: (a) the rhythm of walking and talking and (b) the disharmony of walking and talking. Each theme had corresponding subthemes. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research are discussed.

DOI

10.1080/15401383.2023.2247318

Comments

© 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

NSUWorks Citation

Greenleaf, A. T., Williams, J. M., Leibsohn, J., Park, J., Walther, B. (2023). “Put on Your Walking Shoes”: A Phenomenological Study of Clients’ Experience of Walk and Talk Therapy. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/2040