Walk, Talk, and Heal Through Walk and Talk Therapy

by Amelia Danesi

It’s a beautiful spring day. You’re strolling at a mild pace through a familiar park. You feel the gravel shift slightly and crunch under your feet with each step, you hear the birds chirping back and forth to one another, you watch the tree branches swaying slightly in the wind, and you smell the earthy mix of grass, soil, and flowers.

Next to you walks your therapist as you participate in your weekly therapy session.

Not the twist you were expecting? This scene depicts walk and talk therapy, an alternative form of psychotherapy that is growing in popularity due to its appealing nature and widespread benefits for clients and professionals.

Photo credit: Unsplash

Understanding Walk & Talk Therapy

Many think of therapy in the traditional context of a client and therapist sitting across from one another in a private, somewhat cozy room within a larger clinic or office building. However, for many, this dynamic can appear intimidating or too personal for comfort and can be a deterrent to initiating or continuing therapy.

On the other hand, walk and talk therapy combines the typical dialogue and treatment between the client and the therapist with physical exercise–typically walking.

Protocols of Walk & Talk Therapy

In a walk and talk therapy session, the therapist should plan a route so that the client and therapist remain actively engaged in the conversation without interruptions to decide on a path. The walk will often take the duration of the scheduled therapy session in an agreed-upon space, such as a park or nature trail.

At a walking pace that allows both individuals to control their breath for back-and-forth conversation, the dialogue and content addressed in the therapy session would be similar to that of any other therapy session. The therapist may guide the client through various therapy techniques, such as mindfulness exercises or cognitive behavioral therapy. The therapist does not need additional, specific training for walk and talk therapy.

Rationales of Walk & Talk Therapy

There are several rationales underlying walk and talk therapy as a beneficial alternative to traditional psychotherapy:

• Stimulates deeper thinking and creative problem-solving, which can help a client or therapist get “unstuck” when unpacking complicated issues or having difficult discussions
• Encourages a collaborative approach to therapy in a natural, informal setting
• Provides more opportunities for physical activity, which improves physical and mental health
• Walking in natural, outdoor settings has well-documented benefits for mental health
• Walking releases mood-boosting hormones, such as endorphins

Walk and talk therapy can benefit anyone seeking counseling, such as those dealing with symptoms of anxiety or depression, coping with relationship difficulties or grief, or navigating job changes.

Benefits of Walk & Talk Therapy

Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of walk and talk therapy. One 2021 study divided 40 adults into one group that participated in a walk and talk program and one group that did not. After 12-18 weeks of participation, those from the walk and talk program experienced significantly reduced symptoms of burnout and stress with improved mental health and overall well-being compared to those in the control group. These participants also rated the experience positively and noted the natural setting as an enjoyable benefit.

Another study interviewed adults who participated in walk and talk therapy to evaluate their experience. These adults found walk and talk therapy equally beneficial or even more therapeutic than previous experiences with traditional therapy. They found the natural setting to be less stigmatizing than a more formal, indoor therapy setting, bolstering improvements to mental well-being.

Additionally, a 2015 study examined therapists’ experience after integrating walk and talk therapy into their practice. The therapists had positive experiences and reported walking side by side promoted a collaborative approach in the therapy session, which helped clients become “unstuck” while processing complex issues.

Considerations for Successful Walk & Talk Therapy

So, walk and talk therapy can be a valuable program for clients and therapists. However, there are several considerations participants should keep in mind to minimize potential challenges and foster success.

First, while walk and talk therapy does not require any formal additional training, therapists should be aware that integrating any new therapeutic technique into their practice will require developing new skills and working with an initial level of uncertainty.

Additionally, both parties should be cognisant of maintaining client-therapist boundaries. The natural setting and collaborative nature of walk and talk therapy are meant to increase client comfort but should not exceed any professional boundaries established by the therapist.

Furthermore, due to the public nature of the setting, the therapist and client should develop a plan for how to address an acquaintance of the client or therapist if encountered on the walk. This plan may involve a quick, casual wave without stopping the walk or conversation, as many will get the hint that the exercise or conversation cannot be interrupted. The plan could also involve stopping and providing an already-planned introduction.

Lastly, an alternative plan should be in place for any inclement weather. Reports showed that people typically are accustomed to cold or rainy weather in their area and can still participate in walk and talk therapy using accessories such as coats, gloves, umbrellas, etc. However, therapists should have a plan for where to conduct a session when either party does not wish to be outside due to weather. This may be an indoor walking track or the traditional office setting.

Conclusion

Many people consider therapy to cope with symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief, loss, or any other major life changes. However, the formal and intimate environment of a traditional therapy session can appear intimidating deter some from participating.

Walk and talk therapy is an alternative form of therapy in which the therapist and client walk side-by-side, typically through a park or public walking path. Studies show this therapy approach promotes collaboration and deep thinking, improves overall mental well-being, and is enjoyed by clients and therapists.

Amelia Danesi is a health and wellness freelance content writer. She aims to bring awareness to the ways our health and mental well-being are influenced by the intersection of body and brain with a particular focus on communication and human relationships. She graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s and from the University of Arizona with a master’s and have a professional background in speech-language pathology. She is a blogger at website: ameliadanesi.com.

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