When we picture therapy, we often imagine a quiet room with two chairs and a closed door. But what happens when that door opens - to the outdoors, to movement and to the gentle rhythm of footsteps and conversation? That’s the idea behind walk-and-talk therapy: a growing therapeutic approach that invites clients and therapists out of the traditional therapy room and into more natural, calming environments.
For parents in residential family assessment settings - where life can feel clinical, scrutinised and emotionally intense, walk-and-talk therapy offers a refreshing alternative.
It’s more than just a stroll in the park. There’s growing evidence that movement, fresh air and natural surroundings can significantly enhance the therapeutic process. This article explores this approach by presenting research, theory and lived experience.
What Is Walk-and-Talk Therapy?
Walk-and-talk therapy is exactly what it sounds like: instead of sitting across from one another, a client and a qualified therapist walk side by side through a natural space - be it a park, countryside path or garden. The pace is usually gentle and the conversation unfolds naturally. The structure is fluid, making it especially helpful for those who find traditional therapy settings too intense or intimidating.
This approach is grounded in trauma‑informed care and supports work around identity, emotional regulation and coping strategies. Think mindfulness meets motion: therapists might weave in prompts to notice birdsong, sync your breath with your stride or simply let the natural setting soften the weight of tough topics.
Why does it work?
Decades of research show that walking side-by-side reduces defensiveness, while exposure to nature lowers stress hormones and sparks creativity - perfect for parents needing to unpack heavy emotions without the weight of a traditional therapy room.
Now let's explore this further...
1. Movement Boosts Mood and Engagement
Even a gentle stroll can work wonders for our mental wellbeing. When we move our bodies, especially through something as accessible as walking, it stimulates the release of endorphins (those feel-good chemicals that act like nature’s own antidepressants). It’s a simple but powerful biological response that helps lift our mood, reduces stress and boosts overall emotional resilience.
This might explain why research consistently finds that even small increases in physical activity are linked to noticeably lower levels of anxiety and depression (Callaghan, 2004). In other words, lacing up your shoes and heading outside isn’t just good for your body, it’s a quiet act of self-care for your mind too.
Walking also does something fascinating to our brains by encouraging something called bilateral stimulation, which basically means it gets both sides of the brain working together. This same concept is used in therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), which has been shown to help people process trauma more effectively (Shapiro, 2001).
Scientists think this may be linked to what happens during REM sleep, which is the sleep stage when our eyes flicker from side to side as we process memories. Bilateral stimulation is thought to mirror this activity, helping the brain process and organise difficult experiences.
By engaging both hemispheres in a gentle, alternating rhythm, whether through eye movements in EMDR or the footfalls of a walk it can help the brain to reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional charge. Instead of feeling stuck in the past, people can begin to feel more grounded in the present, helping them to make sense of their past without becoming overwhelmed by it.
“Walking helps me think clearly and speak freely. I feel less trapped in my head.”
– Resident parent, family assessment centre
2. The Natural World as a Therapeutic Ally
There’s a reason we instinctively go outside to clear our heads. Natural environments have a calming effect by soothing our nervous systems and helping us feel more grounded. Studies have shown that walking in green spaces lowers stress hormones and improves mood more effectively than walking in busy urban areas (Park et al., 2010).
This may be explained by what psychologists call “soft fascination” which is the gentle, effortless attention that natural spaces provide. According to Attention Restoration Theory (Kaplan, 1995), environments like woodlands or meadows give our overworked minds a chance to recover by offering just enough stimulation to hold our focus without overwhelming us.
It’s precisely through these subtle, sensory invitations that soft fascination works its magic. Nature offers a rich tapestry of experiences - the crunch of gravel underfoot, the warmth of sunlight on your skin, or the sound of birdsong drifting in the distance - all of which gently draw our attention. These small details invite mindfulness, helping us stay grounded in the moment while giving our brains a much-needed break from the demands of daily life.
For many parents in assessment settings, stepping outside can feel like pressing a pause button on the hustle and bustle of the residential home. With several families living under one roof - babies crying, staff scurrying between appointments and the weight of difficult emotions in the air, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. A walk in the fresh air offers parents a precious few moments to catch their breath and settle frayed nerves.
“Getting away from the cameras and drama felt like a huge relief.”
– Resident parent, family assessment centre
3. Daylight Exposure and Wellbeing
After three years living in the north of England, I’m fully aware that catching a sunny moment is easier said than done, but have you ever noticed how much a warm sunny day can instantly lift your mood?
It turns out the scientific research can help to explain this feeling...
When our skin soaks up sunlight, it kicks‑starts vitamin D production, which helps to boost our immune system and fend off certain illnesses like those pesky colds (Kauffman, 2009). At the same time, sunlight signals our brain to release serotonin, the “feel‑good” neurotransmitter that helps us feel more calm and content (Wirz‑Justice et al., 2020).
Of course, not every walk in nature will be a breakthrough - factors like the weather, how long you are exposed to the sun and your own personal preferences all play a part (Kotera et al., 2021). Still, even a brief burst of daylight can give your emotional resilience a real boost and better still, no fancy gear is required.
4. A Different Kind of Conversation
Walking side by side, rather than sitting face to face, can feel less intense and more natural. With eyes focused on the path ahead, the trees, or simply the rhythm of walking, it often becomes easier to open up. Eye contact isn’t forced and silences can feel lighter. Stepping outdoors creates a neutral “in‑between” space where therapist and client move through the same environment together - no desk, no couch and no clinical setting.
This shift in environment can subtly shift the dynamic, too. Research suggests that conducting therapy outdoors helps to reduce the sense of hierarchy often present in traditional therapy rooms, creating a more balanced and collaborative atmosphere (Berger & McLeod, 2006). Clients have described feeling more at ease, less self-conscious and better able to express themselves (Newman & Gabriel, 2022; Greenleaf et al., 2023).
For parents who might feel scrutinised or anxious in formal settings, this shift in dynamic can be powerful. It’s less about being observed and more about being alongside someone, sharing the journey, literally and emotionally (Revell & McLeod, 2017). Instead of an “interview,” the session becomes a shared experience.
It's Not for Everyone
Of course, walk-and-talk therapy isn’t for everyone. While some people thrive in the freedom of outdoor spaces, others can feel exposed. Worries about being overheard or bumped into by strangers can make it harder to open up, especially when you're sharing something deeply personal. These are the kinds of concerns that are much easier to manage within the safe, contained walls of a traditional therapy room (Cooley et al., 2020; Naor & Mayseless, 2021).
In fact, a survey by Revell (2017) found that many potential clients felt that the lack of privacy outdoors might leave them feeling vulnerable or distracted. And then, of course, there’s the weather, one participant put it simply:
“It would feel moderately uncomfortable if the weather wasn’t great, it may make me tense up and not want to talk about anything.”
– Participant, Revell (2017)
Walk-and-Talk Therapy in Practice: The Parents' Response
During my time working in a residential family assessment centre, I saw firsthand how differently parents would respond to this approach. Many of the parents were navigating incredibly difficult personal histories including abuse, instability and loss. Some simply could not connect in a traditional therapy room and had negative experiences with therapy in the past.
For those Walk-and-Talk therapy offered a welcomed change of scenery: one where support felt less clinical and they could have a breather from the intensity of the house. For others, it was the perfect opportunity to remember that it was okay to enjoy a moment for themselves, outside of the focus on their child.
However, a large percentage of the parents chose not to engage in outdoor sessions. Some had recently given birth, some were recovering from surgery, some didn’t enjoy being in nature and some simply didn’t see the point in therapy full stop.
Others were uncomfortable discussing sensitive topics in public spaces:
“I only had my baby a few weeks ago and it's tiring walking. I'm not talking about my personal life outside. What if I bump into someone I know?”
– Resident parent, family assessment centre
Accessibility, mobility, weather and privacy all need to be considered. It’s crucial that walk-and-talk therapy is offered as an option, not a replacement. The strength of any therapeutic approach lies in its ability to adapt to individual needs and offer choice.
Conclusion: A Space to Breathe
Walk-and-talk therapy brings together movement, nature and relational connection in a way that can feel deeply healing. It’s not a magic fix and it won’t be right for everyone. But its power lies in its flexibility. It meets people where they are, both emotionally and physically and invites them to take a step forward, literally and metaphorically, at their own pace.
Sources
- Berger, R., & McLeod, J. (2006). Incorporating nature into therapy: A framework for practice. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 25(2), 80–94.
- Callaghan, P. (2004). Exercise: A neglected intervention in mental health care? Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 11(4), 476–483.
- Cooley, S. J., Jones, C. R., Kurtz, A., & Robertson, N. (2020). “Into the Wild”: A meta-synthesis of talking therapy in natural outdoor spaces. European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 22(4), 395–410.
- Greenleaf, R., Oliver, D., & Waring, M. (2023). Therapeutic relationships in outdoor spaces: A qualitative study of client experiences. Journal of Humanistic Psychology. Available via Sage Journals (search required).
- Kaplan, R. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182.
- Kauffman, J. M. (2009). Vitamin D and mental health in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 124(5), e1375–e1383.
- Kotera, Y., Richardson, M., & Sheffield, D. (2021). Effects of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and nature therapy on mental health: A systematic review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 19, 2275–2297.
- Naor, L., & Mayseless, O. (2021). Walking a fine line: Therapists’ experience of conducting walk-and-talk therapy. Qualitative Health Research, 31(2), 378–391.
- Newman, C., & Gabriel, L. (2022). A grounded theory study exploring clients’ experience of walk and talk therapy. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 22(1), 55–64.
- Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing). Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26.
- Revell, S. (2017). Outdoor talking therapy: Benefits for clients and therapists. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 17(2), 161–171.
- Revell, S., & McLeod, J. (2017). Experiences of therapists who integrate walk and talk into their professional practice. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 17(1), 55–63.
- Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (2nd ed.). Available from Guilford Press.
- Wang, C., & Chen, P. (2020). Effects of daylight exposure on depression and well-being in stroke patients: A randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 102, 103482.
- Wirz-Justice, A., Benedetti, F., & Terman, M. (2020). Chronotherapeutics for affective disorders: A clinician’s manual for light and wake therapy (2nd ed.). Karger Publishers.
