Walk and Talk Therapy

What is Walk and Talk therapy?

Walk and Talk therapy occurs outside of an office and instead of inside. Therapist and client walk together in a park or an urban space. The sessions would be the normal length of time (around 50 minutes) and the whole session would take place during the walk. For sessions with me, we would start off with a teletherapy session and decide if Walk and Talk therapy would work for us. After then, we would agree on a place and time to meet and have our session there.

Confidentiality can be difficult with a session that takes place in a public space. This is something that should be discussed between therapists and clients beforehand. Usually, if we encounter someone that I know or that you know during a session we would smile politely and continue our walk. We can also discuss situations like this before our sessions so that we have protocols for different scenarios. Walk and Talk therapy might not be appropriate for everyone but it can also be used interchangeably with office of telehealth visits.

What are the advantages of Walk and Talk Therapy?

Because the session happens during a walk, it can be easier to open up to a therapist when you are side by side instead of facing each other. For those who are experiencing anxiety or shame, walking side by side with your therapist can help to decrease anxiety. During Walk and Talk sessions, it can be easier to incorporate mindfulness or work on mindfulness skills in a session because the session takes place more of a practical setting. We can stop and practice mindfulness skills on the move.

Taking the session out of the office also removes some power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship and facilitates a more even therapeutic relationship. It can open up the therapeutic space and make it more of a back and forth dynamic.

Exercise is also one of the top ways to reduce stress and improve overall mental health, and Walk and Talk therapy helps to habituate and incorporate exercise into your mental health routine. Walking and moving are going to have positive impact on your physical and mental health. As you are walking forward it can also help you to move through the barriers in your life.