What is Walk-and-Talk/Nature Therapy Anyway?

Walk-and-talk therapy is when you take your session into the great outdoors, or just your local park or trail. Like everything in life, there are things to consider before moving forward ¹.

Some people get nervous when they have to sit face-to-face with their therapist and talk about their issues. Walking side-by-side with some scenery to look at may make it easier to open up ². Some people also say that looking ahead instead of at their therapist helps them relax.

There are some risks that come with walk-and-talk therapy, like tripping or falling while walking, or getting hit by a bike or a car. Other dangers include getting stung by bugs; bitten by animals; whacked by branches or sticks; burned by the sun; frozen by the cold; and other fun stuff ³.

It is important that before you start walk-and-talk therapy, your therapist and you discuss the limits of confidentiality having your session out in the world ⁴. Some therapists have a secret code word or phrase that they use if they run into someone they know, and they stop talking until they're alone again ⁵.

Walk-and-talk therapy may be good for people who have a lot of energy to burn during sessions or who don't like making eye contact or sitting still. Some therapists think that moving your body helps move your mind and can even speed up your progress ⁶.

If you feel that walk-and-talk therapy might be helpful for you and your therapy experience, the therapists at Green Coast Counseling offer this option for both regular and extended session lengths. Your therapists will discuss the risks and benefits with you to see if would be a good fit. If you have questions, talk to your therapist. if you are a new client interested in walk-and-talk therapy, email us or contact us about scheduling an appointment.

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References and Attributions

(1) What Are the Benefits of Walk & Talk Therapy? - Choosing Therapy. https://bing.com/search?q=privacy+during+walk-and-talk+therapy.
(2) Walk and Talk Therapy - WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/walk-and-talk-therapy.
(3) Is Walk-and-Talk Therapy Right for Your Practice?. https://blog.aamft.org/2020/08/is-walk-and-talk-therapy-right-for-your-practice.html.
(4) What Are the Benefits of Walk & Talk Therapy? - Choosing Therapy. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/walk-and-talk-therapy/.
(5) Walk and Talk Therapy | Outdoor Therapy - Counselling Directory. https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/walk-and-talk-therapy.html.
(6) It's spring! Take a walk with your therapist | CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/05/health/sw-walk-and-talk-therapy/index.html.

Additionally, some content on this blog may be generated using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to supplement, enhance, and make suggestions. While AI may assist in the creative and editing process, the thoughts, ideas, opinions, and the finished product are entirely human and original to their author.