Mental health clients' receptiveness to and recommendations for integrating physical activity discussions into therapy: a mixed methods study.

Objective: The mental health benefits of physical activity are well-established. Integrating physical activity counseling into therapy would expand the reach of this evidence-based treatment for mental illness. This mixed methods study examined mental health clients' receptiveness and recommendations for effectively discussing physical activity in therapy.

Methods: A diverse sample of U.S. adults in therapy (= 478) completed a survey that included the open-ended question: We conducted a qualitative content analysis to identify their most common recommendations.

Results: Most participants indicated they would be comfortable discussing physical activity with their therapist. The content analysis resulted in 26 unique categories; most common recommendations included: provide information about what to do (= 81), discuss physical activity benefits (= 63), be understanding and nonjudgmental (= 49), provide accountability (= 41), and consider physical/mental health conditions (= 35). Overarching themes emphasized making mental health central to discussions, tailoring discussions to each client, and reframing physical activity as a feasible, enjoyable activity.

Conclusions: Mental health clients are open to discussing physical activity during therapy if it is approached in a supportive, understanding, and personalized way. Clients' recommendations can inform future professional development for therapists.