Walk and talk therapy offers an opportunity to carry out sessions in the outdoor environment, potentially somewhere which is meaningful to you.
What is Walk and Talk Therapy?
The CBT process remains the same however it has the additional benefits of using the principals of Behavioural Activation and Graded Exposure whilst also practicing strategies such as grounding and mindfulness. Some people may find it easier to build a rapport and feel comfortable in the outdoors away rather than exclusively online sessions therefore I would like to offer as person centred an experience as possible.
Why consider walk and talk as an alternative?
It is advisable to begin meeting online to build a rapport before we begin to consider walk and talk sessions and agree that it would be beneficial. Online sessions are easier to deliver the theory of the CBT process before we 'blueprint' your formulation and treatment plan during walk and talk sessions.
Each session is 60 minutes long, and the walks can either form a loop or require turning back to the starting location, depending on the specific route agreed. Taking time to sit and reflect may be an option or a mix of walking and sitting might offer the most from the time however I will be guided by your preferences.
I have familiar routes I can suggest such as Irvine Beach park, Eglinton Park and Whitelees Windfarm (see pictures) however we can explore personal alternatives dependant on travel time to location. In time we may have various routes or stick to the most comfortable route for you.
What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in the same way when we are outside in comparison to online sessions. However, I will do my utmost to maintain confidentiality and we will discuss any concerns about this before we begin. If we encounter anyone during the session, I will take the lead in handling the situation to ensure we can return to our session promptly however this does not usually extend beyond a "hello". We'll talk about how to manage potential situations at the start of our walk and talk sessions and may ultimately see these as opportunities to manage anxiety if that is a difficulty you have identified as a goal to improve.
I am happy to walk in most conditions however if the wind and/or rain will likely effect our ability to communicate and focus on the session we can re-arrange to an online session. I will check the weather forecast leading up to our session and raise any concerns for you to make an informed decision on how we carry out the session. This will include what agenda we have set for the session at previous meeting to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible to get the best outcome possible with your time.
