What is Walk-N-Talk Therapy?

Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming…

Walk-N-Talk therapy is the fun aunt or uncle of traditional mental health therapies. Instead of sitting across from someone with nowhere to look or staring at a computer for another hour of your day, why not lace up your tennis shoes and get outside?

Walk-N-Talk therapy is exactly what it sounds like. We walk while we talk. There are numerous benefits to a more active variation of mental health counseling, like the biological advantages of movement, less eye contact, more natural stimuli to activate senses, and plenty of sunshine and trees to appreciate.

Yes, I know it sounds too good to be true. And even though Walk-N-Talk therapy is an incredible modality, there are some drawbacks. First, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed while in Walk-N-Talk counseling sessions. Second, scheduling and weather can play a huge part in the consistency aspect. Third, there are some additional safety concerns.

For most, Walk-N-Talk therapy could be an appropriate option.

For one thing, you get to bring your fur friend or meet mine (Lois, a 135-lb. Great Dane-Mastiff mix who is full of love, treats, and attitude).

We will devise a plan and review a thorough informed consent before we start Walk-N-Talk to help protect confidentiality, collaborate on safety measures, and prepare for the best walk and talk sessions possible.

And as for the weather. . . we live in Alaska, where it snows until May, so we will always have a backup plan, and we’ll make our decision at least two hours before each session.

How does it work?

There are two ways it could work. First, we could meet in person at a designated location that we mutually agreed upon. I have a list prepared to share with you. And we spend the 75-minute session walking, talking, following the same structure, and using the same interventions as we would in a typical session.

The second way involves cell phones. You would go somewhere that you feel comfortable walking or being. And so do I. Then we complete our walks separately while simultaneously having sessions over the phone. Headphones are recommended for obvious reasons.

Whatever method you decide on, Walk-N-Talk therapy may be exactly what you need to start living the life you’ve always dreamed of. Reach out now!