Walk and Talk Therapy in London combines professional counselling with the benefits of walking outdoors. It offers a calm, confidential and effective alternative to traditional therapy sessions.
Walk and Talk Therapy in London gives you the same professional counselling and psychotherapy support as an indoor session, but in a more relaxed outdoor setting. Sessions take place while walking at a comfortable pace in agreed green spaces around NW6, allowing us to talk side by side while keeping the focus on your individual therapeutic needs.
How Walk and Talk Therapy Works
I usually begin with an online session so we can get to know each other and establish a comfortable working relationship before moving outdoors. Each session is tailored to you, including pace, route, and whether we walk or sit and reflect. If Walk and Talk Therapy feels suitable, we can then meet at an agreed location around NW6 and walk at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Sessions last around 50 minutes, and the route can be adapted to your needs, including stopping to sit and reflect if helpful.
Benefits of Walk and Talk Therapy London
Walking Can Help Reduce Stress
Gentle walking outdoors can create a calmer setting for therapeutic conversations. For some people, moving while talking makes it easier to slow down, settle and focus on what they want to explore.
Some People Find It Easier to Talk
Sitting face to face can sometimes feel intense. Walking side by side can reduce that pressure and may make it easier to talk openly about difficult feelings, relationships, stress or anxiety.
Nature Can Support Emotional Well-being
Being in a green outdoor environment can feel grounding and restorative. While nature is not a substitute for therapy, it can provide a calm backdrop for therapeutic work.
Movement Can Encourage Reflection
Walking can help thoughts develop more naturally. Some people find that ideas, feelings and connections emerge more easily when they are moving rather than sitting still.
It Can Feel Less Clinical
Outdoor sessions can feel more relaxed and less formal than a traditional therapy room. This can make therapy feel more approachable, particularly for someone starting counselling for the first time.
It Supports Both Mind and Body
Walk and Talk Therapy is not an exercise session, but gentle movement can complement emotional work and help release some physical tension while you talk.
Outdoor counselling: Confidentiality and Safety
Confidentiality is an important part of Walk and Talk Therapy. Before we begin outdoor sessions, we will discuss how confidentiality works outside and what we would do if we happened to see someone either of us knows. I choose quieter routes where possible and keep conversations at a natural level. We will also agree on practical boundaries around safety, routes and any situations that may arise during the session.
Do I Need to Bring Anything?
No. Walk and Talk Therapy is not an exercise session, and we will walk at a pace that feels comfortable for you. If you have any medical concerns about walking, it is sensible to discuss them with your GP before starting outdoor sessions.
Do I need to be fit?
No, the pace of the session will be determined by the client as much as possible, while the therapist will keep track of the time and ensure that the session ends on time. It’s important to discuss any medical concerns with your GP before attending the session.
What if the weather is bad?
If you’ve agreed to a walking session, the therapist is happy to walk in most weather conditions. If you’re comfortable walking in the current weather, the session will continue as planned. However, if you’re not comfortable with the current weather, an online session can be scheduled. The therapist will only cancel the session if the weather conditions are extremely bad, such that it would be necessary to wear hoods or use an umbrella, which may restrict communication during the session, which is very important for the therapy to be effective.
What if I decide it isn’t for me?
It’s important to remember that therapy is a collaborative process, and if you have any issues with the walking sessions, it’s encouraged that you discuss them with the therapist so that both of you can work together to find a solution. Ultimately, the therapy is for your benefit, and if walking sessions are not working for you, the therapist can easily resume the sessions online, whichever is more comfortable for you.
Are the fees the same?
Yes, the fees for the walk and talk therapy sessions would remain the same. Sessions can be cancelled in advance, but if a session is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, I will charge the full fee.
How is confidentiality maintained outdoors?
We walk routes that are quiet and away from crowds, and keep our voices at a natural conversational level. In practice, the outdoor setting is just as confidential as a therapy room.
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You can also learn more about my approach to therapy on the How I Work page.
Further information about professional standards in counselling and psychotherapy can be found on the NCPS website.
If you’d like to find out whether Walk & Talk Therapy could work for you, you’re welcome to book a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs.
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