Walk and Talk Therapy/ Ecotherapy
Walk and Talk Therapy and Ecotherapy bring together the power of talking with nature. It involves walking a gentle walk in a quiet area so we can talk as we move. It has a different feel to sitting in a room facing eachother as we will be walking side by side. We may use nature around us to help explore what is going on but this is led by you as the client. Not to mention, in Yorkshire we are surrounded by some stunning scenery.
More about Walking and Talking
Things to consider
Walking and Talking has many benefits and can suit individuals of all fitness levels. The walks are largely flat and risk assessed on a regular basis for suitability and changes in landscape. The session will be 1 hour and will include plenty of opportunities to pause and rest. The session takes place in all weathers unless the weather poses any risks and in the event of adverse weather, we can move to online or change the session to another day. Being in the climate we are in, means the weather can be changeable and I would encourage everyone to come prepared if they choose Walk and Talk Therapy.
Walk and Talk therapy connects the physical benefits of gentle walking, with nature and Counselling. Being face to face in a room can feel daunting and walking side by side can be a little less intimidating and avoid intense eye contact. Walking itself prompts us to breathe regularly promoting the flow of oxygen, it releases feel good endorphins and supports people to feel more present and grounded in the moment.
If you are interested to read more about the benefits of Walking and Talking and being in nature, I have included some links below:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8892051/
This is an exert from my own encounters with nature.
"Sitting opposite a counsellor, I struggled to find the words to convey what felt trapped. I was frustrated that I could feel something but couldn't express it. We went outside. I sat on a deckchair, wrapping myself up in a blanket clutching a warm drink. We were both facing a row of trees with rolling hills in the background. This large tree caught my eye. The base of the trunk suffocated by ivy. Then half way up, a single thing branch veered straight out to the right until it found space to grow. I followed this branch with my eyes until a little branch broke away. This branch however was beaten down by the adjacent tree. This didn't stop the growth as the branch found a way up into the sunlight where leaves were blossoming in it own air to breathe in. What I saw, spoke to me on a deep level - the growth, the impact of the nature around it, the way the wind echoed through the leaves and stood strong whatever the weather in an unapologetic wild way. I spent the entire session exploring what this was telling me and it was enriching, emotional, unanticipated and enlightening. It gave me words to express how I was feeling."
Disclaimer:
As much as I understand that dogs can benefit from the exercise and come as moral support, these sessions are specifically for you and therefore regrettably you are unable to bring along your dog. There are exceptions to this: If you have an assistance dog or medical alert dog, please do let me know.