"Leaning in" and "leaning back": Exploring the spatiality of telephone counselling. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davidson, Danielle; Harrison, Gai
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 58(2019:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Spatial practice -- Telephone counselling -- Lefebvre -- Subjective well-being; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102158
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: This paper explores telephone counsellors' experiences of the spatial dimensions of their work. Henri Lefebvre's spatial triad is applied to explore how counsellors conceive, perceive, and experience the spaces and places of this work. Three key findings are outlined: 1) the purpose built telephone counselling space is experienced as noisy and distracting; 2) counsellors engage in spatial practices to manage their depth of caller interaction; and 3) counsellors construct a mental place to foster intimacy with callers. These findings contribute to a novel conceptualisation of telephone counselling, raising implications for how it is performed and understood. Highlights: Telephone counselling can be conceptualised as spatial practice. Spatial practices enable counsellors to manage the challenging work features. The rhythm of this work captured by counsellors leaning into and back from calls. Counsellors construct a mental place to establish therapeutic presence with callers.