The Feasibility of Outdoor Psychology Sessions in an Adult Mental Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit: Service User and Psychologist Perspectives

Summary & key facts

This feasibility study tested outdoor psychology sessions on an adult inpatient mental health rehabilitation ward during COVID-19. Three psychologists worked with 16 service users; 14 completed rating scales and 8 took part in interviews. Participants reported high satisfaction with the therapy relationship and comfort outdoors, and researchers identified six key themes about how outdoor work worked in this setting. The authors conclude outdoor sessions appear viable and can be safe and helpful if risks are managed, but more research is needed.

Key facts:

• 16 service users took part in outdoor psychology sessions in the study.
• Three clinical psychologists kept reflective diaries after the outdoor sessions.
• 14 service users completed scales that measured therapeutic alliance (the therapy relationship) and comfort during outdoor sessions; results showed high satisfaction.
• Eight service users completed semi-structured interviews about their experiences.
• Researchers identified six themes from the data: using a person-centred approach; value of multi-disciplinary team support; enhancing therapeutic engagement; benefits of time away from the ward; managing confidentiality; and physical health
• The study used a mixed-methods design, combining descriptive statistics for scales and thematic analysis for interviews and diaries.
• The paper describes this work as a feasibility study and says outdoor therapy can be an effective and safe mode of therapy in an inpatient setting if certain risk factors are considered and managed.
• The authors note limitations and call for further research before outdoor therapy is widely integrated into clinical practice.

Abstract

Few studies have explored outdoor therapy when facilitated by clinical psychologists within an inpatient mental health service. In the present study, outdoor...

Topics

Child Therapy and Development Health, psychology, and well-being Urban Green Space and Health

Categories

Environmental Science Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis Physical Sciences

Tags

Applied psychology Law Medical education Medicine MEDLINE Mental health Neuroscience Nursing Political science Psychology Psychotherapist PsycINFO Qualitative research Rehabilitation Social science Sociology Thematic analysis