From NYC to Fairhope and Daphne, AL || Benefits of Walk and Talk Therapy
It began in NYC’s Central Park, spread to the West Coast is now available here on the Eastern Shore of Alabama! Walk and talk therapy incorporates walking into the therapy session. Walking side-by-side may be more comfortable than sitting in an office while discussing the change you want to bring to your life. Walk and talk therapy can reduce anxiety both during and after the session.
‘Walking the Walk’ in Walk and Talk Therapy
Our mental health improves by walking.
Walking increases blood flow to the brain. (Cerebral Blood Flow, CBF). Many psychiatric symptoms are affected by cerebral blood flow. An increased blood flow improves the health of our brains. This makes a positive impact on our mental health, memory, problem-solving, and concentration.
Walking also causes our body to release endorphins. Endorphins increase positive feelings in our bodies. And, in return, can affect our body’s perception of pain. Serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine are also released during walking and being out in nature. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, vitamin D is absorbed. Vitamin D plays a large role in our mental health. So walking in nature can be very beneficial to our mental health. To learn more about the biological benefits of walk and talk therapy, read this article published by the APA highlighting additional benefits.
Benefits of Including Nature in Your Fairhope, Daphne or Eastern Shore Therapy Session
Spending time in nature reduces stress and anxiety. The latest research shows us that we need to spend two hours per week outside in nature. Doing this brings benefits to our mental health, mood, and even our immune systems.
So we see that being out in nature and walking positively impacts our mental health.
‘Talking the Talk’ in Walk and Talk Therapy
In therapy, I encourage clients to engage in intentional acts or practices as this helps to get messages into our nervous system. For example, I use this when a client is anxious, or struggling to focus or think clearly. If this happens during their session, we will participate in a mindfulness practice. During these few minutes, we will sit with our palms up and with a half-smile on our faces while we notice our breath. These actions can activate the calming response in our nervous system. And, inversely signal that stress responses such as fight/flight are not necessary.
Another example involves using our breath to regulate our nervous system. When we take a slow deep breath using our diaphragm (low breath) and then slowly exhale, we also activate our calming response (parasympathetic nervous system). These are just three simple ways that we use intentional actions to send signals and messages to our nervous system.
Putting It All Together: How Walk and Talk Therapy Can Be Beneficial
It is my thought that by forward movement, i.e. walking, we send messages to our brain that we want to create new neural pathways. Change. Move forward, psychologically. I think walking is a way to say, “I am not stuck. I can bring the change I desire. I can move forward.” We can create new neural pathways.
Walking in harmony with someone that is attuned to you and your therapy process can be transformational!
Walk and talk therapy or movement therapy can increase a sense of psychological and emotional safety in therapy. This is possible by engaging in a mutual side-by-side activity while focusing on moving forward and bringing change.
Beginning Walk and Talk Therapy in Fairhope, AL
Right now, we have an opportunity to be very creative with what we do with therapy. Since meeting at my Fairhope counseling clinic location isn’t ideal, we have the option to have our sessions outside! Walk and talk therapy has many benefits and can truly act as a ‘change of scenery.’ When you’re ready to begin walk and talk therapy, follow these steps:
Get to know me, Julia, as your new therapist.
Take therapy from the couch to the trail!
Other Counseling Services Provided in Alabama
Walk and talk therapy isn’t the only service I provide. Currently, my Fairhope counseling clinic is closed so I have transitioned to providing online therapy in addition to walk and talk therapy. Regardless of the platform or location, I ca still provide you with great services. I offer therapy for anxiety and chronic stress. I also work with many people experiencing trauma/PTSD or dealing with trauma from childhood. Additionally, I am certified to provide EMDR. I can’t wait to meet you!