Experiences of therapists who integrate walk and talk into their professional practice

Background: There has been increasing interest in recent years in the possibilities arising from conducting psychotherapy in outdoor settings, for example through the use of ‘walk and talk’ sessions. Aim: This study aimed to explore the experiences of practitioners who use this approach, in terms of helpful and hindering factors. Method: Eighteen walk and talk practitioners completed an online mixed-methods questionnaire. Findings: Participants perceived that walking and talking can help shift ‘stuckness’ in clients and facilitate psychological processing. In addition, practitioners indicated that walking side by side can promote a collaborative way of working. Hindering factors included working with uncertainty, issues around maintaining boundaries and the requirement to develop new skills. Limitations: The sample size and use of an online survey limited the amount and richness of information obtained. Implications: The results suggest that walk and talk is an emergent psychotherapeutic approach, characterised by a substantial degree of consensus across practitioners regarding the rationale for this type of intervention, and the facilitative processes that are supported by it. It would be valuable to develop research-informed guidelines and training opportunities to support safe practice in this area of work.