Walk + talk therapy by the bay is one of my favorite approaches to mental health therapy. As a trauma-informed therapist, I utilize many different therapeutic techniques to best accommodate each client’s needs. I know that sitting on a therapist’s sofa doesn’t feel safe or comfortable for many people. That’s why I offer walk + talk. It’s just like going for a walk with a friend (if your friend was a highly trained mental health professional who knew therapeutic techniques that are clinically proven to improve your mood). ♡
For people who have experienced trauma, the idea of meeting an unknown person in a small office in a new building can feel paralyzing. With walk and talk, we are able to meet in a public park where we are surrounded with other people and beautiful views. While the name implies that we will walk the entire time, there are many seating areas along the route to enjoy the shade and the warm breeze from the bay.
Walk + talk therapy offers an opportunity to reduce stress, relieve body tension, improve circulation, breathe deep and clear the body-mind of intrusive, negative, and ruminative thoughts. These sessions can help you decrease anxiety, regulate mood, enjoy more restful sleep, and more. Additionally, you can receive the feel-good brain chemical benefits of exercise, mindfulness practice and eco-psychology. In session, you can enhance insight, release body trauma, and alter behavior patterns while verbally processing your authentic truth.
In urban planning, there is a concept of integrating waterscapes into cities called “blue spaces.”
👫Studies have found that short, frequent walks along waterscapes (blue spaces) are good for your mental health.
👫There is a significant improvement in well-being and mood immediately after a person goes for a walk in a blue space, compared with walking in an urban environment or resting.
👫Waterscapes have healing effects that enhance psychological resilience to promote mental health.
👫Walk + talk therapy by the bay gives clients an opportunity to enjoy some blue spaces while boosting their mental health.
Similarly, when urban architects add nature elements to cities such as trees, plants, and grass, these are called “green spaces.”
👫 Green spaces provide fresh, healing air to the body
👫 Some mental health benefits of green spaces include: lowered stress levels, reduced rates of depression & anxiety, reduced cortisol levels, and improved general well-being
👫 Enhance your cognitive functioning, improve your sleep, and increase your levels of physical activity.
👫Walk + talk therapy by the bay gives you an opportunity to spend some time outside connecting to nature while working on your mental health.
If you’re joining me for walk + talk therapy, here are a couple things to keep in mind:
👫We don’t have to walk the whole time!
👫There is plenty of seating along the route should we choose to sit by the water and/or stop to talk in the shade.
👫Walking shoes or comfy sandals are recommended.
👫Please bring a water bottle—we’ve got to stay hydrated!
Written by Kalli Portillo, IMH24576 – Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, EDMRIA-Approved EMDR Therapist, Certified Prepare/Enrich Couple Counselor
To learn more, review the following open access research studies or google “blue and green spaces mental health benefits.”
Benefits of walking psychotherapy:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8892051/
Waterscapes for mental health:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618438/
Importance of greenspace: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5663018/