Green spaces, clear minds: The power of walk and talk therapy

Walk and talk therapy integrates the restoring power of nature and exercise into the therapeutic process. This way of offering counselling recognises the impact that outdoor environments can have on mental health and physical well-being. Being in a green, environment, no matter how small, reduces levels of stress, depression, anxiety, and exhaustion and boosts confidence. There is growing evidence that exposure to a natural space and exercise enhances mood, self-esteem and quality of life.

What are the benefits of walk and talk therapy? 

Walk and talk therapy combines walking with being in nature. By taking counselling sessions outdoors and incorporating movement, the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client is strengthened by the benefits of being in a green space and exercising. Additional benefits are:

• In walk and talk therapy, clients can connect with nature through sights, scents, sounds and tactile sensations. For example, observing the bark of a tree can help you to focus on the present moment and engage your senses fully. You can explore the bark’s texture, colour and patterns. You might want to touch it and reflect on how it feels. This mindful sensory exploration can be a grounding experience. Mindfulness can support a client to become more aware of their bodily sensations and emotions.
• The act of walking side by side creates a sense of comfort and mutuality. As a client, you might feel more relaxed and open to sharing your thoughts and feelings as it might be less daunting than being closed in a room.
• Movement stimulates creativity. Your emotions and perspectives might shift more easily. Walking is a dynamic process and can lead to new insights and ways of coping with life’s challenges. It is a bilateral movement which means that it engages both brain hemispheres equally. This is important for memory, problem-solving and emotional regulation as it has a positive effect on the nervous system.
• Walking is a low-impact form of exercise that can improve cardiovascular health, boost energy levels and enhance overall fitness. The NHS recommends a daily 10-minute brisk walk to build stamina and burn calories. In walk and talk therapy, the client dictates the tempo. You can decide if you want your 10-minute brisk walk to support your physical health while being in therapy.

With awareness and a better understanding of themselves, they can see their potential and capability, empowering them to find their own solutions to challenges and discover options for change.

In my practice, I have witnessed the facilitating aspect of nature in therapy. When the counsellor and client share the serenity of natural surroundings, listen to birds together, and feel the wind on their skin, they might feel a deep connection earlier in the therapeutic process. Barriers to accessing emotions and bodily sensations can then dissolve more easily. The informality of outdoor settings nurtures a sense of ease and comfort. Nature is very accepting and supports the development of self-compassion.  

Walk and talk therapy is a holistic approach as it nurtures both mental and physical well-being simultaneously. As the client and therapist walk through a green space, be it a park, a common or a forest, they can experience a palpable reduction in stress and anxiety, while mood and overall well-being are enhanced. This enables clients to feel connected and to cultivate self-esteem, confidence, trust and insight. With awareness and a better understanding of themselves, they can see their potential and capability, empowering them to find their own solutions to challenges and discover options for change.

On their own therapy, green space and exercise all have the potential to facilitate more calmness and joy in a person’s life. Together they can amplify each other’s benefits for a more fulfilling life.