Is Walk-and-Talk Therapy Right for You?
Written by: Brice Boemeke
June 9, 2023
Many people might have the impression that going to therapy means sitting in a quiet room across from your therapist and talking for about an hour once a week. For some people, that can feel a bit awkward. Have you ever been sitting in therapy and found yourself looking around the room, almost like you’re looking for a way out? Have you felt yourself bouncing your leg, or feeling fidgety, like you’ve got a bunch of nervous energy to get out? Finding ways of being comfortable with uncomfortable thoughts or feelings is sometimes part of the process. Also, a lot of very important conversations need to happen in the safety and comfort of the therapist’s office. But, those feelings of awkwardness and discomfort could also be a sign that we might want to try something different.
Recently, we at Champaign Counseling have decided to embrace the fact that therapy can look different than the traditional in-office style. To that end, we now have the option for clients and therapists to engage in what is called “Walk-and-Talk Therapy”. This idea may sound overly simple. It might even seem a bit experimental. Rest assured that it is more than just outdoor therapy, and there is evidence to support its benefits.
Combining walking with deep thought is something that has been a part of humanity’s history for a very, very long time. Even the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle formed what was called the Peripatetic School, or Peripatos, which meant “of walking” or “given to walking about”. Hippocrates, Rousseau, and Nietzsche were also among those who spoke of the benefits of walking to promote mental health and deep thought. Additionally, several modern studies support these long-standing beliefs, documenting the many physical and mental benefits of walking in nature.
Benefits of walking
Walk-and-Talk Therapy is effective in helping with symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief, anger, burnout, stress, and more.
Looking forward, with visual distractions, rather than sitting directly across from the therapist, can make it easier to talk about uncomfortable topics.
The changing environment can trigger ideas and ways of thinking that are much harder to achieve while sitting in an office.
The mind-body connection is powerful. Moving can energize our bodies, increasing the flow of natural, mood-boosting chemicals in our brains.
Going for a walk opens us up. We are literally moving forward, which allows us to move forward in other ways, as well.
Walk-and-Talk Therapy at Champaign Counseling will happen on a case-by-case basis. Both the therapist and the client should talk about and agree that it is an activity that seems beneficial. So, if this seems like something you would like to participate in, make sure to ask your therapist about it and review the consent form that will need to be signed. Call the office at (217) 203-2008 or email us to schedule an appointment.
To learn more about Brice Boembeke check out his page: https://www.champaigncounseling.com/brice-boembeke
References
Davies, H. (2019). Walk your way to well-being; There is so much about walking that is beneficial for our health and happiness. In Sunday Times [London, England], 28. Retrieved from https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=EAIM&u=minn4020&id=GALE%7CA593987647&v=2.1&it=r&sid=ebsco
Wikipedia. (2023). Peripatetic school. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripatetic_school#:~:text=The%20Peripatetic%20school%20was%20a,conducted%20philosophical%20and%20scientific%20inquiries.
Wright, S. (2008). Walk and talk therapy. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/walk-and-talk-therapy