Walk & Talk Therapy
Service to come in spring of 2022!
What is Walk and Talk Therapy?
Walk and talk therapy is like to traditional talk therapy, expect instead of sitting in an office talking about your issues you are walking outdoors. It is a way to integrate both the benefits of exercise and movement with traditional psychotherapy/talk therapy.
Benefits of Walk and Talk Therapy?
Studies consistently show the benefits of exercise or some type of movement on both physical and mental health. They also suggest that spending time in nature and fresh air has a positive impact on our overall well-being. In addition, it can promote a sense of calm in mind and body. And for some people, time in nature helps them feel more connected spiritually.
- Can lower stress and anxiety.
- Releases “feel good” endorphins that boost positive mood and lower rates of depression.
- Creates a positive and energizing outlook on life
- Clears thoughts and memories, helps to stop ruminating and opens the mind to fresh perspective.
- Boost self-esteem.
- Improve sleep.
- Increases energy level.
- Reduces symptoms of ADHD and improves concentration, motivation, memory, and mood.
- Elevates brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin – all of which affect focus and attention.
A walk-in nature walks the soul back home.
– Mary Davis
Reasons to Integrate Movement and Talk Therapy?
- It encourages some who are struggling with difficult issues to get unstuck, and can even accelerate client breakthroughs.
- “Some clients feel uncomfortable sitting face-to-face interacting. Walking Side by side with visual distractions may allow for easier engagement.
- “Walking along side” also demonstrates concretely that therapist is with the client in their suffering.
- Movement seems to propels people forward — literally and metaphorically. Change is created through forward motion.
- Calming the mind and energizing the body
According to Bridget McKinney, “Walking with clients during therapy appears to help clients talk more, become more relaxed, and encourages present moment awareness. Therapists utilizing walking with therapy believe clients are more relaxed and talkative due to the orientation of the therapist and client. In traditional therapy, the therapist and client are sitting facing one another. Walking parallel with clients may allow them to become more relaxed and talkative. The act of walking encourages present moment awareness because it is difficult to not concentrate on your steps and surroundings.”
– Bridget McKinney, University of New Orleans
Is Walk and Talk Therapy Right for me?
While walk and talk therapy offers many benefits, and has been found to be effective in treating a wide range of mental and emotional issues, it may not be right for you. There is no guarantee that Walk and Talk is effective for all individuals. In some cases, it may not be the best fit for the client and their needs. If I believe it is not clinically appropriate physically or mentally and that you would be better served by in-person therapy, I will discuss this with you. In some cases, I may refer you to your Medical Doctor for clearance. If such services with me are not possible, referrals can be provided to other therapist if necessary.
Concerns to Consider
Walk and Talk Therapy may not be suitable or advisable in all cases. If you should decide that Walk and Talk Therapy is the right choice for you, you need to know that there are risks involved. What are the risks?
- No matter how carefully you pick the park or neighborhood, there are always more risks associated when you are not in a controlled environment like a physical or virtual office.
- The weather can be a prohibitive factor at times. In which case we would meet in my office.
- There is a possibility of slips and falls; bruises, sprains, lacerations, fractures, animal bites or stings, concussion or any physical injury.
- Some medical conditions could may preclude me from participating walk talk therapy.
- If appropriate you may be asked to seek a doctor’s approval prior to beginning Walk and Talk Therapy
What about Confidentiality?
Confidentiality will be protected as much as possible in a Walk and Talk session as it is paramount to the process of therapy, however, I cannot guarantee that someone will not overhear us. If we happen to notice someone either of us knows, we can adjust our route and conversation as necessary. It is my policy to not introduce clients to others and I allow my clients to make that decision for themselves as well.
How Does it Work?
The first scheduled appointment will be in-person at my office or via teletherapy (video). After that, sessions will be outdoors in a safe, public space, usually on a city sidewalk or possibly a park sidewalk. The movement is relaxed, designed to assist the psychotherapy process. You will set the pace and I’ll follow your lead. Walk and Talk therapy with me is designed to meet your unique needs, treatment needs and goals, and your state of being at the time we meet.
Do I Have a Choice?
Yes, you have a choice. There is definitely flexibility here. For some clients this is the best option for therapy. Others may discover that it is not the best option for them. Things change, we change and our needs change. And sometimes the weather changes. You always have the option to take the session back to the office. It’s your choice whether we go outdoors or remain indoors! Ultimately, it’s about what feels best for you. What is important is that you talk to me and let me know how you are feeling. There may come a time along your journey when I will recommend in-person therapy for a time due to your physical or mental well-being. At other times the weather can preclude us from venturing out, the important thing is to remain open, but yes, you have a choice.
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
–John Muir
What about Confidentiality?
Confidentiality will be protected as much as possible in a Walk and Talk session as it is paramount to the process of therapy, however, I cannot guarantee that someone will not overhear us. If we happen to notice someone either of us knows, we can adjust our route and conversation as necessary. It is my policy to not introduce clients to others and I allow my clients to make that decision for themselves as well. Clients who choose to participate in Walk and Talk Therapy will be asked to sign a Walk and Talk Therapy Informed Consent.
What’s the Research say?
There are extensive anecdotal studies committed to the reasons why Walk and Talk Therapy is beneficial. Here is list of what other therapists who offer Walk and Talk Therapy in their practice are saying about it’s success:
- “Many clients are stuck in the past or future; walking encourages present moment awareness.”
– Bricklin, M., & Smith, S.C. (1996). Fix your head with walking. Prevention, 48(5), 1-3. - “It is often easier to talk honestly with someone while walking because eye contact can be bothersome at times.” – Bricklin, M., & Smith, S.C. (1996). Fix your head with walking. Prevention, 48(5), 1-3.
- “It is often easier to talk honestly with someone while walking because eye contact can be bothersome at times.”
– Bricklin, M., & Smith, S.C. (1996). Fix your head with walking. Prevention, 48(5), 1-3. - “When you are out walking, you are working from a position of health, lying on a couch is what we do when we are sick.” – Goodman, B. (2005). Can you get more out of counseling if you take it out of the office? Health Magazine, 111-114.
- “Vigorous physical activity elicits emotions better than slouching in a chair. It speeds up therapy.”
– Goodman, B. (2005). Can you get more out of counseling if you take it out of the office? Health Magazine, 111-114. - “Patients are more talkative and relaxed.”
– Wright, S. (2008). Walk and Talk Therapy. WebMD. - “Walking in parallel with visual distractions may allow for easier engagement.”
– Wright, S. (2008). Walk and talk therapy. WebMD. - “Many patients consider the association of being outdoors with recreation and vacation; two positive things that most want to experience more.”
– Wright, S. (2008). Walk and talk therapy. WebMD. - “I have seen a lot of my clients get better a lot sooner. There is something about moving, which I think is a symbol for moving forward.”
– Cockrell, C. (2008). A therapist without a couch. Hudson Reporter.