What is walk and talk therapy?
What is walk and talk therapy?
Walk and talk therapy marries two of the things that I believe are most beneficial when we're struggling with our mental health: talking about problems openly, and being outside in nature. Here's how it works...
Talking to someone in confidence, especially someone who'll be open, non-judgemental, empathic and accepting, can help you make sense of how you're feeling, whether that’s because of anxiety, depression, major life changes such as bereavement or divorce, or any number of other issues. And simply being in nature is hugely beneficial for our wellbeing – lowering levels of stress hormones and improving mood. Breathing in the air, feeling the sun on our skin, listening to birdsong – these are all things that can help to ease tension. You may feel your senses awakening, overwhelming pressures may begin to ease, priorities begin to shift. You may breathe easier, you may feel your muscles relax.
Walk and talk therapy works just like a regular counselling session, except it takes place outside. There doesn’t even need to be much walking, and you certainly don’t need to be fit. It might be that you’d prefer to sit on a bench or a patch of grass. Perhaps we'll wander for 10 minutes, then take a break. Or perhaps you like to walk briskly as you talk. You are free to set the pace of the sessions, and I will tailor them to your needs.
Benefits of walk and talk therapy:
For those who find telephone, online or face to face sessions challenging, either because of issues around accessing technology, or making prolonged eye contact, a walk and talk session can feel easier and less intense.
If you find it hard to sit still and tend to feel agitated or stressed, an outdoor counselling session can release some of that bodily tension, which in turn can help you talk freely and openly.
Being outdoors can be relaxing and help to awaken our senses and free our minds to be more open and flexible.
Walking while talking through your problems may help with feelings of being ‘stuck’, because the motion of the session is literally helping you move forward.
Being out in nature can boost your mood, releasing happy hormones (endorphins), which can also have health benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and aiding digestion.
Mindfulness has been proven to help in times of distress, helping us to notice and accept our thoughts and feelings, while remaining in the present. Having a session outdoors is an ideal way to learn grounding techniques such as deep breathing and mindfulness, that can help with anxiety, stress, depression and insomnia.
Where will we walk?
Outdoor therapy sessions with me are held in an open heathland space near St Albans and Harpenden. It is a beautiful and tranquil spot in central Hertfordshire, easily accessible from the M1 and M25. To find out whether walk and talk therapy is for you, contact me for a free, no-obligation chat to discuss your needs.