Walk and talk
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nature therapy
What is walk and talk nature therapy?
Some clients may find it more comfortable to walk and talk during therapy sessions instead of being confined to a room or sitting in designated chairs. Walking side-by-side with the therapist can feel less formal and more equal. Therapy sessions can also take place outdoors in nature, incorporating movement and the natural environment.
Psychological Advantages
Research indicates that spending time in nature, provided that individuals feel secure, can remedy stress. It has been found to decrease blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system stimulation, boost immune system function, enhance self-esteem, alleviate anxiety, and enhance mood. Natural environments have been shown to reduce Attention Deficit Disorder and aggression, which can also aid in the healing process. Walking in nature triggers the release of dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin and adrenaline in the body, resulting in a natural high and a sense of happiness.
Physical advantages
Walking therapy has numerous benefits such as reducing physical and emotional stress, promoting weight loss, and channeling feelings out of the body. It also helps to increase metabolism, lower cholesterol levels, improve circulation, leading to clearer thinking and lower blood pressure. Additionally, walking in nature can improve creative thought processes, ease feelings of isolation, and make one feel grounded, which is especially important for those who work from home and spend time outside.
where?
Tooting Bec Common
faqs
What happens?
The first session will take place either online or by telephone
During this session, we will discuss suitability. If walking therapy is suitable, we discuss and finalise a risk assessment plus practical details.
Other considerations
Our weather can be unpredictable, so it's best to be prepared. Bring a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes in case of rain, and wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen during sunny weather. Dress in layers if you tend to warm up quickly with movement. If the weather is too severe, we can consider meeting online or by phone.
What happens if we meet people along the way?
Confidentiality is an integral part of therapy. While a quiet route is, for the most part, predetermined, we might bump into people we know. If this should happen, I suggest we say hello from afar and casually move on, being mindful not to encourage engagement with the other party. Of course, we can address this at our first session and can discuss any concerns.
“Nature can bring you to stillness, that is its gift to you.”
Eckhart Tolle
Research on nature as therapy
In his classic paper on a view from a hospital window, Roger Ulrich compared the recovery of patients who had a view of a blank hospital wall with those who could see trees from their hospital beds. Data were analysed over ten years on the duration of stay in hospital post-operatively for those recovering from operations; perhaps unsurprisingly, those who had a view of the trees had shorter stays in the hospital.
Research on the effects of nature on brain chemistry has been emerging in Japan. This research, exploring the impact of Shinrin-Yoku (taking the atmosphere of the forest) on physiology, found that subjects experienced lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol after walks in the forest.
What is worrying you?
Areas that I cover and can help you explore and evolve
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Abuse
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ADHD
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Addiction
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Anxiety
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Bereavement
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Codependency
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Depression
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Dysfunctional families
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Inner child
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Inner critic
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LBGTQ+
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Loneliness
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Low self-esteem
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Loss
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Obstacles to wellbeing
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Mental Health
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Relationships
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Sexuality
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Stress
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Trauma
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Work-related stress
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12 step recovery