Expert opinion and information in the public domain suggest that an individual's dietary and nutritional intake may be importance factors in both physical and mental health. However, at this tome in the counselling and psychotherapy field, it is not common for therapists to address issues of dietary intake and nutrition with clients. Further to quantiative studies exploring therapists' inclusion of such factors in their work, this qualitative heuristic study explores the perceptions and beliefs of six qualified counsellors and psychotherapists and how they understand dietary and nutritional information to be relevant as part of the therapeutic process with clients. Data was gathered with semi-structed telephone interviews and analysed using interpretative phenomenologcal analysis. Findings suggests that the personal history and lifestyle of the therapist may be significant in such an approach, as well as the professional maturity of the therapist. Maintaining the therapetic relationship, therapist self-awareness and professional competence were also discussed. Implications for practice include the consideration of multidisciplinary working and developing appropriate training for practitioners in this area
