Taking Traditional Counselling Outdoors
What is Walk & Talk Therapy?
Walk & Talk Therapy takes traditional counselling outside into natural surroundings. It is a one-to-one 50 minute walking session, along a pre-arranged route in and around Chippenham, charged at the same rate as a face to face counselling session. It is tailored to your ability and pace, and can take place on footpaths, grass, woodland or a mixture, with as many or as few breaks as you need. We start and finish at the same point.
Who can benefit from Walk & Talk Therapy?
Anyone age 13+, regardless of physical ability, can take part in Walk & Talk Therapy, subject to a satisfactory Initial Assessment and Risk Assessment. The service can be particularly useful for those who find the idea of face to face counselling challenging, as well as those who find it easier to talk when moving. (Please note those under 18 will require permission from a parent or guardian).
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What's The Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Therapy?
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Walk & Talk Therapy can help with just about anything indoor therapy can. The main difference is that it gives us the chance to use nature to help with healing and self-regulation, all while getting some valuable exercise and Vitamin D. My place will be alongside you as you talk, which minimises the intensity of eye contact, and utilises movement as we progress forward towards a new outcome.
This can be particularly useful for those who feel stuck in therapy, people who are neurodivergent, those experiencing bereavement, anxiety, or depression and for survivors of abuse.
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How Do I Ensure Safety?
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I will do a thorough risk assessment with you to make sure we choose the route that suits your needs best, and that ensures both of our safety. We will discuss appropriate clothing and footwear for the route, agree on a bad weather plan, talk about what to do in an emergency and negotiate how to maintain confidentiality outdoors. You will receive and agree to a copy of my contract, which will outline my responsibility to you, as well as to myself, in an outdoor environment.
More About Walk & Talk Therapy
Where Does It Take Place?
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There are three possible meeting points. From here we will follow a roughly defined, pre-agreed route that will last 50 minutes there and back, to the same starting point. There is free parking at all starting points. I would be happy to discuss any other routes you would like to try, so long as they are suitable for Walk & Talk Therapy.
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The Pewsham Pub car park. Public footpath leading to fields behind and eventually to Pewsham Locks. This route is natural, open, quiet, and often muddy, with the chance of seeing wildlife such as birds, rabbits and deer. The Pewsham Pub has a cafe that sells takeaway hot and cold drinks.
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Westmead Open Space car park. This route is a mixture of gravel and grassy footpaths and some wooded areas. It takes us around Open Space, past the river and along the cycle path towards Pewsham. There are some benches along the route.
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Rowden Lane. Gravel and grass footpaths around the fields behind Rowden Hill, leading down to the footpath to Lacock and along the brook. Depending on the time of day, this can be busier with people and dogs using the paths.
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What Are The Benefits of Walk & Talk Therapy?
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Movement stimulates the brain, and our brain needs constant stimulation to stay healthy. A healthy brain improves both our physical and mental health - the NHS advises we do 2.5 hours of moderate physical activity per week. Moreover, studies show that walking can significantly improve symptoms of depression. ​Specific ways walking helps our all round wellbeing include the following:
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Decreases cortisol levels (stress hormone) which can help with anxiety
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Natural sunlight increases our Vitamin D level - this improves mood and helps the nervous system
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Increases the size of the hypocampus - the part of the brain responsible for emotional regulation
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Moves the spine
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Helps blood flow to the brain
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Improves blood sugar levels
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Boosts immune system
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Improves heart and lung function
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This video by Dr Steven Hulme explains more about the ways walking can benefit our health and wellbeing.
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Good Practice for Outdoor Therapy
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The Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL) has developed guidelines on how to safely and ethically deliver mental health interventions in an outdoor setting. I adhere to these guidelines, along with BACP's guidelines for ethical practice. I combine these two to ensure you receive a safe, considered therapeutic service.
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IOL Guidelines - Outdoor Mental Health Interventions and Outdoor Therapy
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BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
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13-18 Year Olds
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If you are under 18, I will require a meeting with your parent or guardian to ensure they give their permission.
