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TAKE TIME OUT IN NATURE

walk & talk
outdoor therapy

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What is Walk and Talk therapy?

Imagine swapping a traditional therapist’s office for the calming presence of nature. Walk and Talk Therapy (also known as Outdoor Therapy, Nature-Based Therapy, or Eco-Therapy) harnesses the healing power of the outdoors.

Walking alongside a therapist in a natural setting often creates a more relaxed and equal dynamic, helping to build trust and connection. The forward movement of walking can make it easier to process difficult emotions or challenges, while the environment provides a sense of grounding and perspective.

How does Walk and Talk therapy work?

Here’s how we’ll get started:

1. Initial Consultation:

Book an initial 30-minute video call to discuss your goals and whether Walk and Talk Therapy is right for you.

2. Planning:

We’ll explore any physical or emotional considerations and decide on the best approach. You’ll also receive a working agreement and a short health assessment to complete.

 

3. Sessions:

Meet weekly or fortnightly at a location tailored to your preferences, whether it’s by a river, in woodland, or on a hill with expansive views. 

Walk and Talk Trauma Therapy Logo
Walk and Talk THerapy in Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales

Is Walk and Talk therapy right for me?

Walk and Talk therapy can work really well for most people - regardless of fitness levels or physical challenges. The type of walk we would do and the distance we would cover can be adapted to fit your situation, the time of year and weather conditions. For some, finding a quiet spot to sit and talk might work best. 

 

While can all benefit from spending more time outdoors, for some, taking therapy outside of four walls can make them feel vulnerable and exposed. While it's helpful to push our boundaries and exposure to risk, this needs to be done at a time and in a space that is right for you. It may be that we start working online and that you start to explore the outdoors with support and that we work towards outdoor therapy at a pace thats right for you.

Where do you offer Walk & Talk therapy?

I am based in Cumbria, nestled between the stunning Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. This prime location offers countless options for Walk and Talk Therapy, set against the backdrop of some of the UK’s most breathtaking landscapes.

For standard sessions, I typically work within a 30-minute drive from Sedbergh. This makes my therapy accessible to those in nearby towns including Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale, and Kirkby Stephen, as well as other surrounding areas.

 

If you’re willing to travel, my Walk and Talk Therapy extends further afield to individuals across Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and beyond. This includes those based in Lancaster, Penrith or Windermere and even as far as Preston Carlisle or Skipton.

We can discuss the best locations for your needs - whether it’s a forest trail, riverside path, or open countryside. The location isn't set in stone and we can change it according to what works for you.

Sometimes I find that clients respond in ways they didn't expect ways to a specific location, so we'll discuss this and decide whether to switch to somewhere else for our sessions. 

Is it possible to do
Walk & Talk remotely?

Yes, remote Walk and Talk Therapy is an option for those outside my local area. In this approach, we each walk in our respective locations while staying connected via video and audio.

Here’s how it works:

  • Start with a video check-in at the beginning of the session.

  • Use a phone with headphones for the main part of the session.

  • Optionally share images or views from your walk.

  • End with a video check-out to reflect on the session.

It may sound complex, but most clients adapt to this format quickly and find it really effective.

Are Longer Walk and Talk Therapy Sessions Available?

Yes. Sometimes it's nice to have the space to reflect without the pressure of the clock, which is why I offer full, half day or retreat-based Walk & Talk Therapy sessions.

These longer sessions are ideal if you want to:

  • Explore a specific issue in depth.

  • Take a break from routine as part of your therapy journey.

  • Enjoy a more flexible and relaxed rhythm in your session, whether walking, talking, or pausing to reflect.

 

I've found that when I work with people over extended sessions, it gives them the space they need to think. There's no expectation for you to talk non-stop and  you can find your own rhythm. This might mean walking and talking side by side and then dropping back when you want to reflect. You can then decide when they want to come alongside again.

 

You can incorporate these sessions as part of a retreat in the Cumbrian Lake District or Yorkshire Dales, either as a one-off experience or a regular addition to their therapy

Interested and want to find out more?

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about outdoor therapy:

What is Outdoor Therapy? Outdoor therapy is taking the session out of the therapy room into the outside world. This might mean sitting in on a bench, in the park, taking a walk along the riverside or through the woods. Even if you don’t want to walk very far, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of outdoor therapy.

What is Eco-Therapy? Eco-therapy is yet another name for outdoor therapy or walk and talk therapy. It is also known as the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing Eco-therapy is related to an appreciation of the natural world Eco therapy often places the focus more on exploring the the natural world. and our relationship with it. Eco-therapy is not new. In 2013, Mind released a report based on 5 years worth of research into 130 Ecominds projects working with over 12,000 people

What is walk and talk therapy good for? Some people find it difficult to sit still in a room or can find it awkward sitting opposite a therapist, so being out in the open and moving is easier for them If you work indoors all the time, having therapy outside can be really beneficial Exercise can help to improve depression and anxiety and can help to improve sleep Physical activity can help to release aggression or anger and make it easier to manage these feelings Exercise is one way to manage stress and can help to calm the nervous system. The forward movement of walking can help you to connect with the here-and-now; to ground you in the present moment and reduce rumination - where you have a tendency to constantly think about the same thing.

Can I choose where we meet? We can discuss the options before our first session, but I need to complete a risk assessment for all the locations. If there is a specific place where you want to meet; or that you want to avoid we can talk about this. I am very lucky where I live - nestled between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, so I am always keen to look for new locations. I am limited by my qualifications, so whilst I might choose to go up mountains, I currently don’t offer this for outdoor therapy.

What if my mobility is limited? Limited mobility and other physical challenges will not stop you from accessing outdoor therapy. We can adapt locations to your needs and we can discuss this before the first session. You can still benefit from spending time out in nature.

What is Walk and Talk therapy? Walk and Talk therapy is another name for Outdoor Therapy. Whilst it involves going on a walk and talking things through as we go, there are always opportunities to stop, sit and contemplate.

Does Walk & Talk Therapy work? Spending time outdoors, exposed to green spaces has been shown to decrease cortisol levels, heart rate, blood pressure and incidences of stroke and heart disease. Exposure to vitamin D can happen even on a cloudy day. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and muscles, boosting our immunity and for our mental health. Research suggests that eco-therapy can help with conditions like depression, chronic stress, PTSD and ADHD.

Do I need to be fit for outdoor therapy? The location we choose will be based on your needs, which is why I ask you to indicate your (self-assessed) level of fitness in the information form. This is not a judgment, but to help me decide on suitable locations.

Can we change where we meet? You might find that the location where we meet isn’t right for you, I which case we can discuss alternatives. This could be for many reasons. I met my therapist in a quiet spot in an urban environment before we walked down to the river. I realised at the end of the first session that I wanted more open long-range views, so we changed location.

What happens if it rains or when it gets cold? Whilst I come from a background where there is no such thing as bad weather - just wrong clothing; I understand that not everybody feels like this. A change in the weather doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to cancel our session. We might need to change our plans and adapt the session, but there can be real benefits to this and following the change of the seasons and the environment can bring tangible benefits. If we do decide to cancel our outdoor session, we will usually arrange to meet online - this is always available as a back-up plan, which is why there is a video-link in your confirmation email.

specific outdoor therapy training

My approach to supporting people is from a position of equality and partnership, some people might find it reassuring to know a bit more about my professional development training and qualifications. In addition to my core Counselling training, I have specific training in working in a Nature Environment, in Online Counselling as well as working with trauma and addiction. I am also a member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning's Association for Outdoor Therapy. If you would like to know more, click below:

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