Walk and Talk Therapy
See below the benefits of walk and talk therapy and how it would work.
What is Walk & Talk?
Walk and Talk therapy simply put is a way to access the benefits of therapy/counselling without feeling the intensity of sitting opposite someone whilst you explore the reasons that brought you to therapy in the first place.
You also receive the benefits of moving your body and being out in nature - both of which are proven to help and support both mental and physical health/wellbeing.
How does it work?
A time and place is agreed upon - I currently offer Walk and Talk near Leigh on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday’s, and in the M25 area on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s.
A route will have already been decided upon to coincide with the length of the session and your ability/accessibility needs.
You may bring a drink with you, or purchase one prior to the session if a cafe is at the meeting point, but at your session start time we will begin our way around the pre-planned route.
The session itself will mirror that of a face to face or online session, the only difference really is that you will be walking side by side with your counsellor rather than sat opposite.
What if we bump into someone we know? In this instance, which is a very rare occurrence, an agreed plan will be in place to excuse ourselves for not being able to stop and a decision on how we know each other. If you are happy to tell people you were on a therapy session that is your prerogative, but we could be friends from work, yoga or have kids in the same class… the choice is completely your’s.
Once the session is complete, we will finish at the same place we begun, and there will be no room to hang around as their may be another client on their way and I will need to prepare for their session.
If the weather does not permit a safe walk and talk session, there is the option to move online for that week. However, if safety is not an issue, it can be a great experience/addition to face the rain during a session rather than cancel. Suitable clothing and footwear is essential to match the weather present.
The Benefits
Nature is King!
Nature is healing and connective. Most of us don’t spend enough time outside, so incorporating it into your week via therapy increases your exposure to its benefits - of which there are many.
Get’s you Moving
Moving your body is another form of self-care that benefits both your mental and physical wellbeing. This low intensity walk will provide the dopamine movement brings without adding more stress on the body.
Reduces Inhibitions
The side by side nature of these sessions reduces intensity and pressure, providing more access to deeper conversation. It can increase comfort and rapport building a strong therapeutic relationship.
Grounding & Mindfulness
Being outside and moving your body will open up the possibility of exploring different senses, allowing for the exploration of grounding and mindful techniques during the session.