Walk and Talk Therapy is provided only by Carmen Jelly
Movement is the only way you have of affecting the world around you. Your body will become better are whatever you do, or don't do. If you don't move, your body will make you better at not moving. If you move, you body will allow for more movement.
Experts report that exercise is the thing we can do for coping with our stress. Even a simple walk can help. Exercise releases endorphins, which relieve stress and boost our sense of pleasure. Walking also channels out adrenaline when frustrations builds up. I offer walk & talk therapy as an unique opportunity to combine the healing forces of nature, physical activity and psychotherapy all into one.
I love movement, being outside and walking. Countless studies prove that walking helps clear our minds, resets perspectives, and allows connection with the body --always a source of great information and even wisdom. Walk and Talk Therapy is a great alternative to move your body and is great for those that want to be physically active while also gaining benefits from psychotherapy at the same time. Nature lovers find this method of therapy to be particularly enjoyable as it provides us with many opportunities for mindfulness and gratitude with the beautiful scenes occurring naturally around us. It can also be helpful for those who think best when they are on the move, as some describe experiencing more creativity flowing when engaging in physical activity.
Walk and talk therapy falls under the umbrella of eco-psychotherapy, a combination of ‘ecology’ and ‘psychotherapy’. There are various benefits of walk and talk therapy, including positive impacts on anxiety, depression, and stress. The combination of psychotherapy and physical activity balance the body and mind connection.
Sometimes, it may be difficult to sit still while trying to process emotions in a traditional therapy session. Another reason someone may seek walk and talk therapy is because they do not like the sometimes awkward format of being stared at by a therapist sitting across from them. Similarly, they may come from a job in which they sit at a desk all day.
Walk & talk therapy can be helpful in the treatment of:
Benefits of Walk & Talk Therapy
Reduces Anxiety
Movement can help with decreasing anxiety a person may be feeling. A client may feel more at ease and relaxed after engaging in an active activity while simultaneously processing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences with me.
Reduces Depression
There are decades of research that prove that people who engage in walking feel a decrease in depression symptoms. I have also witnessed that clients experience increased energy after engaging in the physical activity used in walk and talk therapy. Fatigue is one common symptom of depression, so regaining energy could be a significant benefit for some clients. It is often difficult to start on your own.
Reduces Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts that cause significant distress and anxiety. These intrusive thoughts may include repeated doubts of one’s relationship, difficulty with making decisions, questioning one’s identity, or any worries and questions that do not have a definite answer. Taking a walk can ground a person’s mind into the present moment, aiding in thought stopping. I have witnessed that clients felt a sense of “centering” during and after participating in the physical experience of walk and talk therapy; this produces clarity in one’s thinking, and an ability to synthesize thoughts, emotions and beliefs.
Reduces Ruminative Thoughts
Ruminative thinking, otherwise known as rumination, is the tendency to think about the same thing consistently over and over again, often in the form of negative thoughts. The ‘walk’ part of walk and talk therapy grounds a client’s mind in the present moment, which in turn decreases rumination. The ‘talk’ aspect allows the client to process the ruminating thought with me.
Reduces Stress
Exercise is a method of stress management, as the physical activity part of walk and talk therapy itself can be of benefit. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities that are helpful for stress reduction and teaching clients how to deal with their stress in healthy ways–many of which can be easily applied by a therapist during a walk and talk therapy session. Being in an outdoor environment and engaging in walk and talk therapy also helps one’s nervous system relax.
Improved Emotion Regulation
In order to regulate one’s emotions, it’s first important to be aware of what emotions you are feeling and increase your mind-body connection. Research has shown that movement can encourage self-awareness and emotional awareness. Healthy emotional regulation skills include talking with a trusted person, exercising, removing oneself from a triggering situation. These positive coping skills for emotional regulation are naturally implemented in walk and talk therapy. My sessions may also incorporate other positive coping methods for emotional regulation, like thought challenging and positive affirmations.
Improved Ability to Cope With Life Transitions or Feeling Stuck
Many people come to therapy because they are at a period in their life in which they feel “stuck”. They may also have difficulty coping with a life transition or event like switching jobs, ending of a relationship, moving, or bereavement. Walking frees a person from a sense of feeling suck. Walking is a literal way to show us that we can keep moving forward in our life.
I love that walk and talk therapy marries physical activity and psychotherapy, which are both significantly impactful methods for improving a multitude of mental health symptoms. While this method may not be for everyone, if you are interested and remain open-minded, you may reap its many benefits. This type of therapeutic technique can also help decrease the stigma associated with therapy. It can teach you how to put healthy habits into practice, like exercising and enjoying nature.
Lace up with me and let's go!
Movement is the only way you have of affecting the world around you. Your body will become better are whatever you do, or don't do. If you don't move, your body will make you better at not moving. If you move, you body will allow for more movement.
Experts report that exercise is the thing we can do for coping with our stress. Even a simple walk can help. Exercise releases endorphins, which relieve stress and boost our sense of pleasure. Walking also channels out adrenaline when frustrations builds up. I offer walk & talk therapy as an unique opportunity to combine the healing forces of nature, physical activity and psychotherapy all into one.
I love movement, being outside and walking. Countless studies prove that walking helps clear our minds, resets perspectives, and allows connection with the body --always a source of great information and even wisdom. Walk and Talk Therapy is a great alternative to move your body and is great for those that want to be physically active while also gaining benefits from psychotherapy at the same time. Nature lovers find this method of therapy to be particularly enjoyable as it provides us with many opportunities for mindfulness and gratitude with the beautiful scenes occurring naturally around us. It can also be helpful for those who think best when they are on the move, as some describe experiencing more creativity flowing when engaging in physical activity.
Walk and talk therapy falls under the umbrella of eco-psychotherapy, a combination of ‘ecology’ and ‘psychotherapy’. There are various benefits of walk and talk therapy, including positive impacts on anxiety, depression, and stress. The combination of psychotherapy and physical activity balance the body and mind connection.
Sometimes, it may be difficult to sit still while trying to process emotions in a traditional therapy session. Another reason someone may seek walk and talk therapy is because they do not like the sometimes awkward format of being stared at by a therapist sitting across from them. Similarly, they may come from a job in which they sit at a desk all day.
Walk & talk therapy can be helpful in the treatment of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Self-Esteem Issues
- Life Transitions
- Stress
- Anger
- Bereavement
Benefits of Walk & Talk Therapy
Reduces Anxiety
Movement can help with decreasing anxiety a person may be feeling. A client may feel more at ease and relaxed after engaging in an active activity while simultaneously processing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences with me.
Reduces Depression
There are decades of research that prove that people who engage in walking feel a decrease in depression symptoms. I have also witnessed that clients experience increased energy after engaging in the physical activity used in walk and talk therapy. Fatigue is one common symptom of depression, so regaining energy could be a significant benefit for some clients. It is often difficult to start on your own.
Reduces Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts that cause significant distress and anxiety. These intrusive thoughts may include repeated doubts of one’s relationship, difficulty with making decisions, questioning one’s identity, or any worries and questions that do not have a definite answer. Taking a walk can ground a person’s mind into the present moment, aiding in thought stopping. I have witnessed that clients felt a sense of “centering” during and after participating in the physical experience of walk and talk therapy; this produces clarity in one’s thinking, and an ability to synthesize thoughts, emotions and beliefs.
Reduces Ruminative Thoughts
Ruminative thinking, otherwise known as rumination, is the tendency to think about the same thing consistently over and over again, often in the form of negative thoughts. The ‘walk’ part of walk and talk therapy grounds a client’s mind in the present moment, which in turn decreases rumination. The ‘talk’ aspect allows the client to process the ruminating thought with me.
Reduces Stress
Exercise is a method of stress management, as the physical activity part of walk and talk therapy itself can be of benefit. I use a variety of therapeutic modalities that are helpful for stress reduction and teaching clients how to deal with their stress in healthy ways–many of which can be easily applied by a therapist during a walk and talk therapy session. Being in an outdoor environment and engaging in walk and talk therapy also helps one’s nervous system relax.
Improved Emotion Regulation
In order to regulate one’s emotions, it’s first important to be aware of what emotions you are feeling and increase your mind-body connection. Research has shown that movement can encourage self-awareness and emotional awareness. Healthy emotional regulation skills include talking with a trusted person, exercising, removing oneself from a triggering situation. These positive coping skills for emotional regulation are naturally implemented in walk and talk therapy. My sessions may also incorporate other positive coping methods for emotional regulation, like thought challenging and positive affirmations.
Improved Ability to Cope With Life Transitions or Feeling Stuck
Many people come to therapy because they are at a period in their life in which they feel “stuck”. They may also have difficulty coping with a life transition or event like switching jobs, ending of a relationship, moving, or bereavement. Walking frees a person from a sense of feeling suck. Walking is a literal way to show us that we can keep moving forward in our life.
I love that walk and talk therapy marries physical activity and psychotherapy, which are both significantly impactful methods for improving a multitude of mental health symptoms. While this method may not be for everyone, if you are interested and remain open-minded, you may reap its many benefits. This type of therapeutic technique can also help decrease the stigma associated with therapy. It can teach you how to put healthy habits into practice, like exercising and enjoying nature.
Lace up with me and let's go!