Walk & Talk Counselling
Counselling can feel like a big step. I know that personally, because I’ve had therapy myself and I understand how difficult it can feel to reach out and talk about things you may have been carrying for a long time.
Walk & Talk counselling offers a different way of doing therapy. Walking side by side, in a relaxed outdoor setting, can make counselling feel less intense, less formal and, for some people, more accessible. There’s no pressure to make eye contact or sit face-to-face — we simply walk, talk and work at your pace.
A different way to experience counselling
I know from my own experience of having therapy that reaching out for counselling can feel daunting. Sitting opposite someone you don’t know and beginning to talk about personal things isn’t always easy.
That’s one of the reasons I like the idea of Walk & Talk counselling. Walking alongside each other can take away some of the intensity of sitting face-to-face. There’s something quite natural about having a conversation while you walk, and being outdoors can help counselling feel a little less formal and more accessible.
You don’t need to be particularly fit or even someone who thinks of themselves as a walker. This is still counselling, and the focus is still on you. We simply have the conversation while walking side by side, at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
What does a Walk & Talk session look like?
There’s no pressure to walk a particular distance or at a particular pace. The idea is that we find something that feels comfortable for you.
I currently offer Walk & Talk sessions in a peaceful outdoor setting near Derby, with a couple of different options. There’s a gentle, flat walk around the lake which takes around 25 minutes, as well as a shorter woodland area where we can walk, stop or sit on one of the benches and continue talking.
If you enjoy walking and would prefer something a little longer, there is also a route of around 50 minutes which takes in both the woodland and the lake. This does involve a fairly steep hill on the return, so it won’t suit everyone — but the option is there if you’d like something a little more active.
The walk is never the goal. The conversation is. We can slow down, stop, sit for a while or change what we’re doing depending on what you need that day.
Interested in Walk & Talk counselling?
If Walk & Talk feels like it might suit you, we can have a chat before arranging anything. There’s no expectation or pressure to commit — it’s simply a chance to talk about what you’re looking for and whether this way of working feels right for you.
As sessions take place outdoors, we’ll also talk through practical things such as the meeting point, weather and confidentiality. If the weather makes walking unsuitable, we can discuss an alternative rather than feeling we have to brave the elements!
Walk & Talk sessions are 50 minutes and cost £50, the same as my other individual counselling sessions.
If reaching out feels difficult, you don’t need to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. A simple message is enough to start the conversation.
