Walk and Talk Therapy

Walk and Talk Therapy can be a helpful alternative to traditional talk therapy which usually takes place sitting down in an office or online via telehealth. Walk and Talk Therapy has unique benefits including opportunities for co-regulation, using somatic interventions, and practicing mindfulness in nature. Walk and Talk Therapy can be particularly helpful for:

-Anxiety

-Depression

-Grief and Loss

-Alcohol and Substance Use 

-Relationship Conflicts

-Interpersonal Trauma/Attachment

Before beginning Walk and Talk Therapy, an initial intake session is completed to determine suitability for this intervention. 

Risks of Walk and Talk Therapy

Walk and Talk Therapy may not be appropriate for everyone. To engage in Walk and Talk Therapy, you should be able to comfortably walk or wheel on a gravel surface outdoors for up to 40 minutes. If you have allergies to pollen, grasses, or insects, or if you find being in an outdoor settings where there are other people, pets, or wildlife distressing, Walk and Talk Therapy may not be right for you. 

There are inherent risks to being outdoors including the risk of injury due to terrain, conditions, or other people. Weather can sometimes be unpredictable so you may find yourself being too hot, too cold, or too wet.  During Walk and Talk Therapy, it is possible to encounter people either you or your therapist knows personally. It's important to have a plan for these situations and decide how you would like to handle them in advance. Additionally, conversations in outdoor settings are not as confidential as in office spaces and run the risk of being overheard by others. 

Where do you do walk?

Currently, Walk and Talk Therapy services are offered on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail in King County, WA, with starting points for sessions in Duvall, Carnation, and Fall City. You are welcome to bring your dog as long as they are leashed and it doesn't create distractions for your therapy session.