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Walk and Talk Therapy

THERAPY IN MOTION

Walk and Talk Therapy can be a wonderful alternative to traditional talk therapy that takes place in a dedicated therapy room.  This form of counselling happens outdoors, blending the physical and mental benefits of being in nature with professional therapeutic support from a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist in your area.

This approach allows us to conduct our sessions in the open air, creating a natural and relaxed environment for talk therapy. Nature provides an ever-changing backdrop to your therapeutic journey, while you benefit from both physical movement and meaningful conversation.   Additionally, many people find that being in natural environments aids relaxation, fostering a sense of calm and helping reduce stress.

Whether you feel stuck, stressed, or simply need a change of scenery to clear your head, this therapy can help you engage in meaningful reflection while walking at your own pace.

The benefits of Walk and Talk therapy can be manifold and research shows that movement can enhance mood, improve cognitive function, and reduce stress—making it a perfect complement to the counselling process.

Walk and Talk Therapy is sometimes referred to as outdoor therapy or nature therapy. It falls under the umbrella of ecotherapy or ecopsychotherapy.

WHY WALK AND TALK?

If you like being in nature or find traditional therapy settings too formal or intense, Walk and Talk Therapy could provide the perfect alternative. This approach offers a unique way to explore your thoughts and feelings in a relaxed, tranquil, and natural environment.  Walking side by side in the fresh air creates a more casual, less formal atmosphere, making it easier to open up during talk therapy. It also ensures that both client and therapist are on equal footing.

For some people considering therapy, the idea of sitting across from a counsellor in a traditional therapy room can induce feelings of discomfort or anxiety.  Additionally, if you’ve been sitting at a desk all day or struggle to find a quiet, and safe, place for an online session, this therapy allows you to stretch your legs, increase your step count, breathe fresh air, and feel connected to nature; all the while progressing on your therapeutic journey.

Hippocrates said, “Walking is man’s best medicine.” He also suggested, “If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.”

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM WALK AND TALK?

Walk and Talk Therapy is suitable for almost everyone! It’s a wonderful option for adults, adolescents, and also children who enjoy being active and outdoors while working through their emotions and challenges. It can be particularly beneficial for those who might:

  • Feel more comfortable in an outdoor environment than a clinical setting.
  • Struggle to sit still for long periods.
  • Like a more relaxed, less formal approach to counselling.
  • Appreciate the calming effect of nature and physical movement.
  • Prefer a more relaxed, less formal approach to talk therapy.
  • Have been indoors the majority of the day and would like some fresh air and to stretch their legs.
  • Struggle with direct eye-contact either in a room or online (Other options to consider would be IM, email or telephone counselling)

IS WALK AND TALK THERAPY RIGHT FOR YOU?

This approach is particularly beneficial if you find it hard to open up in more formal settings or if you simply enjoy being outdoors. It’s also ideal for busy professionals or anyone who struggles to find time to step outside their home or workplace. Meeting your counsellor outdoors gives you the chance to get fresh air and boost your vitamin D while sharing your thoughts and exploring solutions to optimise your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

You don’t need to be especially fit to take part—our sessions are paced according to your comfort levels. However, if you have any medical concerns, please check with your healthcare professional before our first session.

If you’re new to Walk and Talk Therapy, we can always begin with a trial session and adjust as needed. This is your therapeutic journey and you are in control.  Walking and talking can easily be alternated with online or face-to-face sessions.

PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

Being outdoors facilitates a connection with nature and provides plenty of opportunities for grounding and mindfulness exercises if you would like to incorporate these into your sessions.

Movement has a proven impact on our mood. Walking releases endorphins, which can boost our mental wellbeing and help us process emotions more effectively.

Physically, walking increases metabolism, improves circulation, can lower cholesterol levels and reduce hypertension, promoting better sleep.  Walking outdoors has also been shown to reduce anxiety, improve cognitive function, and increase creativity.

In fact, a 2018 study at King’s College London found that 20 minutes of exercise a day can reduce the risk of depression by 33%.

Roger Ulrich, in his paper on the view from a window, observed that patients with a view of trees from their hospital beds had shorter postoperative stays than those without access to such views.

BEFORE YOUR FIRST WALKING THERAPY SESSION

If you’re a new client who would like to take their therapeutic journey outside, after our introductory call, your initial session and assessment will take place either online or face-to-face in my counselling room. During this session, we’ll discuss your suitability for Walk and Talk Therapy, covering the practical considerations such as risk assessment, confidentiality, and how we’ll handle any interactions with others we may meet on our walk.  We’ll also discuss your needs, goals, and preferences before agreeing on a suitable outdoor location that aligns with your comfort and therapeutic objectives.

If we’ve already started therapy together and you’d like to try Walk and Talk, please mention this at your next session and we can discuss and agree on the practicalities.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR WALK & TALK SESSION

Walk and Talk sessions last 50 minutes, just like face-to-face and online sessions, and, like all counselling sessions, are led by you. We’ll follow a pre-agreed route, pausing to sit and reflect when desired or needed. The pace is set by you—whether it’s a gentle walk or something more energetic, I’ll adjust to your preferences.

HOW FAR WILL WE WALK?

Our walks are usually circular, starting and ending outside my counselling room in Worth, Kent (CT14 / CT13). From here we can stroll along local footpaths and bridleways.  Alternatively, if you prefer, we can meet at a location that suits you better such as the stunning coastlines of Sandwich Bay, Deal, and Walmer beaches.

PRACTICALITIES

Walk and Talk Therapy sessions are flexible, allowing you to switch between traditional room-based therapy and outdoor sessions based on your preference. You’ll want to dress comfortably, wear suitable shoes, and be prepared for the elements—rain or shine, we can make it work. If the weather forecasts are severe, we can discuss in advance of your session and revert to an indoor or online session if preferred.

Occasionally, we may cross paths with someone you know. I will be guided by your wishes if you wish to greet the person or silently acknowledge them.  I find most clients value their therapeutic time and prefer to politely greet the person and move on. We can also agree on a code word prior to your session, allowing us to seamlessly change the topic if needed.

This is your therapeutic journey so I will be guided by you and we can explore and agree strategies before we venture outside. 

CONFIDENTIALITY AND SAFETY

Your confidentiality and safety are of utmost importance. Together, we’ll choose a route that offers enough privacy for you to feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and a terrain that suits your physical abilities. We’ll also discuss any concerns you may have beforehand.

As with traditional therapy, your confidentiality is protected during Walk and Talk sessions. I ensure every session is conducted with the same level of professionalism and confidentiality as room-based therapy.

HOW DO I FIND A WALK AND TALK THERAPIST NEAR ME?

Finding the right Walk and Talk therapist for you is important. You can use your preferred search engine to look for local talk therapy or psychotherapy services that offer outdoor or nature-based sessions. It’s important to choose a therapist with experience in both talk therapy and ecotherapy, ensuring they’re qualified to support your mental health journey in outdoor settings.

WHAT NEXT?

If Walk and Talk Therapy sounds like a good fit for you, and you would like to know more about working with me, please do schedule your initial consultation. Together, we’ll explore whether this unique approach is the right way to support your journey toward emotional well-being.

As soon as you’re ready, I’m here to walk beside you on your therapeutic journey and support you every step of the way.

Why not combine the benefits of nature, movement, and therapy to create a space for growth, reflection, and healing?