Walk & Talk Therapy

Sometimes, it may be uncomfortable or difficult to be seated for a counselling session if health issues are a concern. Perhaps you are looking for an alternative environment to help stimulate thoughts and creativity, or reduce the intensity of direct eye contact, making the session feel less clinical and more collaborative.

Walk and talk therapy combines traditional talking therapy with the dynamic of walking, side by side, at a pace that suits you. Research shows that exercise can have a significant and positive impact on stress levels, anxious thoughts and depression as it lowers stress hormones and boosts neurotransmitters. The experience of being in an outside space, connecting with nature and incorporating physical movement, releases endorphins and can greatly reduce tension. This enhances the therapeutic process and elevates mood.

In addition, connecting with nature and being outdoors can be meditative and enrich reflection. Walk & Talk sessions can offer a renewed energy to get you moving, enhance your emotional well-being as well your physical health.

Who can benefit from Walk & Talk sessions?

• People with high anxiety or ADHD:- Individuals who find sitting still difficult or intimidating can benefit from the physical outlet of walk & talk therapy, which channels restless energy and lowers nervous system arousal.
• Professionals working at a desk:- People who work in roles where they may be at a desk or in front of a screen for long periods often value the opportunity to combine self-care with movement and fresh air.
• Those who feel intimidated by traditional therapy:- Clients who find direct, face-to-face eye contact too intense or clinical can feel safer, and may open up more easily when walking side-by-side.
• Clients who feel ‘stuck’:- People experiencing life transitions, grief or creative blocks may find that physical forward momentum helps break through mental stagnation.
• Kinaesthetic Learners:- Individuals who process emotions and thoughts better through bodily movement and physical engagement rather than purely intellectual conversation often report the benefits of walk and talk engagement.

When Walk & Talk might not be the right format of working:-

• Severe crisis:- Individuals requiring acute crisis intervention or highly structured engagement would usually need the containment of traditional therapy.
• Mobility or health considerations:- Anyone with physical considerations that make walking for 50 minutes painful or unsafe would not benefit from walk & talk therapy.
• High privacy needs:- People who are uncomfortable with the minor risk of passing strangers or being seen by acquaintances in public spaces would gain more from traditional therapy sessions held in an office or remotely from a specific location.

Could Walk & Talk Therapy be the right fit for your needs or preferences? Please feel free to make contact so that we can discuss this option, thank you.

After some helpful sessions a few years ago to reduce my anxieties, I asked to return again when my Mum passed away suddenly. Sarah remembered me and once again, was so very caring, understanding and an essential source of support. My loss hit me very hard but my sessions have helped me to work through my grieving process.