5 Benefits of Walk and Talk Therapy

Now that spring is here and warmer weather with it, you may be considering spending more time outdoors.

If you enjoy spending time in nature, or if walking is something you like to do, walk and talk therapy might be a good fit for you.

What is walk and talk therapy?

Walk and talk therapy is a type of therapy that is also known as nature informed healing. In a walk and talk therapy session, you walk alongside your therapist rather than sit across from each other in a therapy room. The act of movement via slow to moderate walking as you walk with your therapist outdoors can help facilitate healing in a profound way. 

At Hope + Wellness, during walk and talk therapy sessions, we walk through quiet neighborhoods, trails near the office, or public parks. We can take breaks to sit and talk if needed, or discuss the features we see to integrate them into your session. We still take great care to maintain privacy during our discussions so you can get the benefits of a traditional therapy session while accessing the benefits of nature and movement. 

We have found that teens, young adults, entrepreneurs and busy professionals in particular tend to respond well to walk and talk therapy, but it can be helpful to anyone who is interested in it. 

Why is walk and talk therapy so helpful? 

Nature has known benefits for mental health

Nature is often recommended for healing because it has measurable benefits for mental health and nervous system regulation. When we spend time in nature, we often feel reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, decreased rumination, enhanced focus and creativity, and a heightened sense of wonder and belonging. 

Nature inspires awe, which reminds us that we are a small piece of a bigger interconnected world. Nature can also be particularly healing for those experiencing grief and loss, as it holds intuitive wisdom that can be accessed when we’re outside. Elements of spirituality can be incorporated into walk and talk therapy as needed to facilitate healing and complement therapy.

It leaves clients feeling balanced

You know how it feels energizing to move your body, even just moderately? A walk and talk therapy session can be refreshing and leave you feeling more balanced than you felt when you went in. Moving your body, even on a slow to moderate walk, is rejuvenating and clarifying, and it can help you work through complicated feelings and problems.

It can help you think outside the box

Walk and talk therapy is also helpful for getting you to think outside the box. Have you ever taken a walk with a friend to talk out a problem and found the solution as you circled the block? Something about moving and talking can help you think outside the box and think more creatively. Entrepreneurs and professionals in particular find that they can find inspiration and solve problems during walk and talk sessions. 

It’s easier to open up while walking

Opening up is hard, even when you like your therapist. Some people also find that it’s easier to talk to their therapist when they’re walking side by side rather than face to face, especially about heavy or difficult topics. Walking next to each other makes it easier to open up and reflect on the things you’d like to talk about. Rather than feeling like a hierarchical relationship, walk and talk therapy can feel more collaborative. This can be beneficial to the therapeutic relationship, improving the results of your therapy experience overall. 

Movement can help process difficult emotions

Some things are hard to talk about, no matter where you are, and movement can help make things easier to discuss. Focusing on moving your body can make it easier to talk about and process difficult emotions. The bilateral movement of walking is similar to the bilateral movements used in trauma therapies like EMDR, which is why it’s helpful in processing painful or traumatic emotions. 

At Hope + Wellness, we are proud to offer walk and talk therapy. We serve the McLean, Great Falls, Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria, and the greater Washington DC regions, as well as offering online services in DC, MD, VA, and all PSYPACT states. If you would like to talk to one of our therapists, please contact info@hope-wellness.com.