Walk & Talk Therapy
Walk & Talk Therapy is a therapeutic conversation in an outdoor, green and natural environment. The walking is secondary to the conversation, however it provides a different kind of therapeutic experience, one which combines the mind and the body.
Coming under the umbrella of ‘Green Therapy’ or ‘Ecotherapy’, Walk & Talk Therapy can provide many benefits:
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Helps to release emotion, calm, energise & inspire.
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Boosts mood, and reduces stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.
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Walking in nature enhances problem solving ability, and creative thinking.
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Exercise promotes a better sleep cycle, improves circulation.
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Increases self-esteem and life balance, as you prioritise time for self care.
The kinds of issues Walk & Talk Therapy is appropriate for:
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Depression: effects of exercise and nature are have been shown to improve mood.
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Chronic illness or pain: enhances body awareness and relaxation.
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Grief or transition: benefits from a metaphorical action of moving forward.
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Anxiety: more gentle approach if face to face counselling is overwhelming; complex fractals in nature (trees; clouds, etc.) assist emotion regulation.
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Stress management: start making changes that promote wellbeing.
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Trauma: grounding and reconnecting mind and body; bilateral stimulation similar to EMDR.
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Disordered eating: establish positive habits for managing emotions.
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Clinical Supervision: especially for processing work related stress or vicarious trauma.
Did You Know?
The originator of the EMDR technique for trauma processing, Francine Shapiro, discovered the value of bilateral stimulation for processing trauma whilst taking a walk!
She found that the disturbance of negative thoughts and memories was reduced as she walked through a park, naturally moving her eyes from side to side as she went.
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Similar to an office consultation, sessions last for 50-60 minutes, beginning and ending at the Clifton Hill entrance to Yarra Bend Park.
Walk & Talk Therapy may be used occasionally, or be your preferred method of therapy or supervision, depending on what would be most appropriate for you.
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If you are interested in this approach we will have an initial office assessment, to assess your needs and decide whether Walk & Talk is the right approach for you.
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