The Benefits of Walking and Talking Therapy
What is it?
Walking and Talking Therapy is a new service which I’m starting in January and is exactly what it says it is – we take the regular counselling session from the therapy room to the outdoors.
Why do it?
Some clients can find a regular therapy session intense, sitting opposite the therapist can seem daunting, and some clients can find it hard to open up and talk. Walking side by side can feel far less intimidating than having a counsellor looking at you directly. For more introverted people this may also be more appealing who can find face to face conversation and eye contact a challenge or it may be a feeling of feeling stuck after being in therapy for a while. Changing the dynamic can be very worthwhile for some clients by trying something new to keep things moving forward. It may be a preferred choice for others new to counselling, a “lighter” version of therapy before moving into more traditional sessions.
Even though it is not intended to be viewed as an addition to your fitness regime, by becoming more physically active changes a person’s physiology (changes their state) and helps to let go of stresses, releases good endorphins into the body and encourages news approaches, ideas and ways of thinking. It is proven to help to reduce depression and anxiety. Obviously, it will also benefit you on a physical level as any exercise does.
During the winter months, some people are known to be suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) where their bodies crave the daylight that is reduced during the darker months. Being out in the natural daylight and possibly sunshine, would help to lift their moods.
Maybe you work inside all day or are a stay at home parent or carer and don’t get the opportunity to leave the house very often? Just being outside in the fresh air, seeing and being in nature can be a therapeutic experience in itself. For those feeling trapped in life, walking and talking may feel very liberating and offer a sense of freedom while working through the difficulties.
Having a counselling session outside may be extra beneficial to some people who may be needing to address challenges that involve being out, such as social anxiety, a fear of open spaces (agoraphobia) or having self-esteem issues related to one’s appearance. This may have a double helping effect to discuss the problem while engaging in the actual difficult situation with support at the same time.
If this service appeals to you, but you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me, and contact me and I’ll be happy to answer your concerns.
Thank you for supporting my blog throughout 2018. I hope you have continued to feel value in my posts and if there are any topics you would like to see featured, please also contact me. In the meantime, I’d like to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year!
Jane X
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