Moving On: Walk and Talk Therapy
Signing up for therapy can be daunting to consider. Sitting across from a stranger and being willing to tell him or her about your past and pain is hardly anyone’s first choice. It can be difficult to imagine being that vulnerable, being that willing to open up and let someone else in, especially when we imagine the setting of such an intimate encounter. Often we think of a dimly lit room, devoid of personality, closed off and silent like you’re tempted to be.
What if the scene was shifted? What if instead of four walls, a desk, and a stranger, you saw trees, felt fresh air, and heard the sounds of life around you?
“Walk and talk” therapy is making that reality possible for clients and therapists alike.
What is Walk and Talk Therapy?
Put simply, this type of therapeutic practice involves some out-of-the-box thinking and out-of-the-therapy-room treatment. Instead of confining the session to the four walls of the office, this practice allows for therapy to take place while on a walk, for you as the client to experience the healing power of connection, both to the therapist and to the natural world.
Walking therapy makes use of the mind-body connection to inspire us to make changes in other areas of life while also providing a powerful analogy of forward movement. Those from all walks of life stand to benefit from the power of physical movement while having a goal-oriented conversation with their therapists.
The Mind-Body Connection
Our minds and our bodies are connected in a powerful cycle. In addition to this, we know that poor physical health is linked to increased mental illness. Likewise, when those with all different types of mental health struggles change their physical lifestyle habits to include more exercise, they may notice decreased mental health issues and/or start to “feel better.” Building this into the therapy practice attempts to harness the power of the mind-body connection.
As we walk together in this type of session, you and I will experience increased blood flow and improved circulation. This contributes to greater clarity of thought in addition to increased endorphins (happy chemicals in the brain). Similar to “runners high,” these endorphins in the brain decrease emotional reactivity and increase reasoning. At the same time, the body tells the brain that it is in a forward-thinking, optimistic mode.
Forward Movement in Theory and Practice
Analogies are a powerful tool used in many cultures to teach lessons by connecting a lesson to something more tangible, more relatable. In this way, walking therapy presents itself as a natural analogy for forward-movement.
This offers an incredibly optimistic and empowering perspective to treatment. The forward motion of walking represents motivation to continue moving no matter the obstacles in our path. Not only do we keep moving, we are inspired by our own capability to persevere, that we can and do actively choose to go on in the face of difficulty. In the moments when the next obstacle presents itself, we are similarly inspired by our own ability to solve problems, intentionally creating a plan for our next steps.
This lesson can be powerful for those who choose to embrace their own power and apply it to other areas of their life for which they originally sought counsel.
What Can “Walking Therapy” Help With?
Depression and Low Energy
This therapy approach is built on the foundational idea that when clients practice routine activities of daily living to take care of the body and mind, they will increase their motivation to make changes in other areas of life. This includes daily physical activity or exercise as a means to overcome feelings of depression.
Feeling Stuck
Often, there is a sense of feeling stuck that often accompanies symptoms of grief. Those facing difficult life circumstances, important decisions, or reevaluating their relationships all experience various forms of being stuck.
As with the analogy of forward movement, walking therapy helps clients who feel stuck to physically act out moving away from a place of inaction.
Anxiety and Difficulty Opening Up
For those who are not comfortable talking about themselves or the challenges they face, it can be difficult to imagine spending the therapy hour staring into the eyes of a stranger, diving into the deepest parts of themselves. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, the thought of making extended eye contact may be enough to make you want to avoid therapy altogether. However, in a walking session, you have the opportunity to focus on your surroundings, and you can save yourself some of the discomfort you may feel in a traditional session. This will likely also help you to build your confidence and comfort level as therapy progresses.
The forward motion of walking combined with an open setting is a natural analogy to help you understand and harness a mindset of openness to change and overcoming obstacles in all other areas of life. Those seeking help and support with many different types of difficulties stand to benefit from the mind-body connection this approach offers coupled with a positive perspective of change. To start your journey forward towards positive change, reach out to me today!
