Walk and Talk Therapy

Doing therapy with nature, space, and movement (or not)

Walk & Talk Therapy (also called outdoor therapy or eco therapy) is exactly what it sounds like: doing therapy outside. This can mean walking, sitting under a tree, on a bench, by the river, or just being out in nature together. Importantly it doesn’t have to involve movement the whole time, or at all. Some people prefer to sit for the full session, which is completely fine - it’s more about creating a different kind of space for the work, as for many people, something shifts when we’re outdoors. Many people find the rhythm of walking allows emotions to flow more easily, or that it helps release feelings of “stuckness” or looping thoughts.

It’s a fully recognised, evidence-based approach which I’m trained to offer in a safe, and intentional way.

How it works

We’ll start with an online consultation. In that, we’ll talk about how walk and talk therapy works, what you’re hoping for, and any practical or safety considerations.

Sessions last 50 or 75 minutes, and you don’t need any hiking gear, just clothes and footwear that feel comfortable and weather-appropriate. If we are walking, we go at a steady pace and take breaks as needed.

Walk and talk therapy is only suitable for individual clients.

If we decide to go ahead:

I’ll carry out a risk assessment for the route

We’ll agree together where to meet and what you’ll need (I usually offer sessions across Cheshire and North Wales)

We meet in most weather, but if conditions feel unsafe or uncomfortable, we’ll move the session indoors or online

There’ll always be a plan in advance.

Is walk and talk therapy right for you?

It might be a good fit if:

You feel more at ease when you’re moving than sitting still

Being in nature feels calming, grounding or familiar to you

You want to be able to pause, look around, or sit in silence without pressure

You’re curious to try something different from traditional therapy

You find eye contact or indoor spaces overstimulating or difficult

You already feel a connection to nature, or are curious to explore that

You’d like a more embodied, grounded way of working

It might not be right for you if:

You find being outside unpredictable, stressful, or overly stimulating

You’re working with very raw or destabilising material

You have access or health needs that make being outdoors uncomfortable or unsafe (though we can talk about adaptations)

We can talk through any concerns together and if needed I can suggest alternative ways of working.

GET IN TOUCH

Metaphors in the Landscape

One of the lovely strengths of walk and talk therapy is how often the natural world mirrors our inner world, without us necessarily trying or realising.

These might sounds a bit cliché written down, and its definitelty not about deep meaning in every leaf or stream, but some of the things you might notice are:

Shifting clouds that match your changing feelings
New views at the top of a hill after a little climb
Trees reminding us that growth doesn’t happen all at once

A note on confidentiality

Outdoor therapy does come with limits to confidentiality. While I’ll always choose quieter routes and we can adjust how we speak if someone passes by, the risk of being seen or overheard is greater than in a private room.

We’ll talk about this beforehand so you can make an informed choice, and you’re always in control of what you choose to bring to a session.

GET IN TOUCH

Want to Try It?

If you’re curious, get in touch and we can explore whether this approach feels right for you. You can also combine walk and talk sessions with online or in-person room-based work if that might work better.

Get in touch

Reaching out can feel like a big step, especially if you’ve spent a long time managing on your own.

You’re welcome to contact me using the form here if you'd like to arrange a short consultation, or if you have any questions before deciding whether to begin.

If you’d prefer to leave a message or speak to me first, you’re also welcome to call me on:

+44 74963 34870

Take your time.