Walk and Talk Therapy: What It Is, Who It Helps, and What to Expect

What is walk and talk therapy?

Walk and talk therapy is a therapeutic approach where sessions take place while walking, rather than sitting face-to-face in a traditional therapy room.

The conversation still has the same therapeutic purpose: to help you explore what is going on, understand patterns, process emotions, and work toward meaningful change. The difference is the setting and the way the session unfolds.

Instead of sitting opposite your therapist, you may walk side-by-side outdoors, often in a park, along a quiet path, near the coast, or in another agreed location. Some practitioners also offer hybrid options, where sessions may alternate between indoor, outdoor, online, or walking formats.

Walk and talk therapy is not “just going for a walk.”

It is therapy delivered in a different way.

For some people, movement and being outdoors can make therapy feel less formal, less confronting, and more accessible. The walking is not the therapy on its own. It is part of the therapeutic environment.

If you are looking for a practitioner who offers this approach, you can browse the Walk and Talk Therapy Directory, an international directory for practitioners offering walk and talk, movement-based, and nature-integrated therapy.

Why do people choose walk and talk therapy?

People come to walk and talk therapy for many reasons.

Some are curious because traditional therapy has felt too formal or intense. Some find it easier to speak when they are moving. Others feel calmer outdoors, or notice that side-by-side conversation feels more natural than sitting across from someone in a room.

Walk and talk therapy may appeal to people who think:

“I want support, but I don’t want therapy to feel so clinical.”

“I find direct eye contact difficult when I’m talking about personal things.”

“I process things better when I’m walking.”

“I feel stuck, but I don’t know where to begin.”

“I want therapy to feel more human and less intimidating.”

For some people, movement can help create a sense of momentum. For others, being outdoors offers space, grounding, and a break from the everyday environments where stress builds up.

This is why walk and talk therapy often sits alongside broader approaches such as movement-based therapy, nature-based therapy, and other forms of outdoor or nature-integrated support.

How does walk and talk therapy work?

Walk and talk therapy usually begins with a discussion about whether the format is suitable for you.

A therapist may talk with you about:

• what you are hoping to work on

• whether walking feels comfortable and accessible

• the location or route

• confidentiality and privacy outdoors

• weather plans

• physical pace and mobility needs

• what happens if you become upset during the session

• whether sessions will be in-person, online, hybrid, or flexible

This matters because walk and talk therapy should still be thoughtful, ethical, and clearly planned.

Once the format is agreed, sessions usually involve walking at a comfortable pace while talking through the issues you want to explore. Some sessions may involve steady conversation. Others may include pauses, grounding exercises, moments of silence, reflection, or noticing the environment around you.

Depending on the practitioner’s training and style, walk and talk therapy may draw on different therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, somatic therapy, mindfulness, narrative therapy, trauma-informed practice, or other evidence-informed methods.

The walking does not replace the therapeutic work.

It supports the therapeutic work.

Who might walk and talk therapy help?

Walk and talk therapy may be helpful for people who want mental health support but feel uncomfortable, restless, or shut down in traditional settings.

It may suit people experiencing:

• anxiety

• stress

• burnout

• low mood

• grief

• life transitions

• relationship stress

• work-related pressure

• emotional overwhelm

• confidence issues

• perfectionism

• people-pleasing

• feeling stuck or disconnected

It may also appeal to people who find movement helpful for thinking, emotional regulation, or making sense of what they feel.

For example, someone dealing with burnout might find it easier to talk while moving gently outdoors rather than sitting still in a room. Someone with anxiety may find side-by-side conversation less intense than direct face-to-face discussion. Someone who feels emotionally stuck may find that walking helps them access thoughts that feel harder to reach when still.

Walk and talk therapy is not only about the walk.

It is about creating a therapeutic setting where support may feel more possible.

Who may not be suited to walk and talk therapy?

Walk and talk therapy is not the right fit for every person, every session, or every issue.

It may not be suitable if:

• you need a highly private indoor space

• you have mobility, pain, fatigue, or health concerns that make walking difficult

• you are in acute crisis and need more intensive support

• you feel unsafe or overly exposed outdoors

• you prefer face-to-face seated therapy

• the weather, environment, or location would create more stress than support

• the therapeutic work requires a more contained setting

Some people may prefer a mix of formats. For example, they may start indoors or online, then move to outdoor sessions once they feel more comfortable. Others may use walk and talk therapy for some sessions, but not all.

A good practitioner will not assume that walk and talk therapy is automatically right for you. They should discuss suitability, consent, privacy, and alternatives before beginning.

What happens in your first walk and talk therapy session?

Your first walk and talk therapy session will usually include some practical planning as well as therapeutic conversation.

You may discuss:

• where you will meet

• how long the session will go for

• the walking route

• what pace feels comfortable

• what to do if you see someone you know

• how privacy will be managed

• what happens if the weather changes

• whether you prefer walking, sitting outdoors, or a mix of both

• what you want support with

The first session may feel slightly unfamiliar if you have only experienced traditional therapy before. That is normal.

You do not have to talk the whole time. You do not have to walk quickly. You do not have to know exactly what to say.

A good walk and talk therapist will help set the pace, both physically and emotionally.

The goal is not to “perform therapy well.”

The goal is to create enough safety, movement, and space for a useful conversation to begin.

What if I get emotional while walking?

This is one of the most common questions people have.

Yes, people can become emotional during walk and talk therapy, just as they can in any other therapy session.

A therapist offering outdoor or walking sessions should think carefully about this before the session begins. They may discuss where you can pause, sit, slow down, or move to a more private area if needed.

You are not expected to hold yourself together just because you are outside.

Therapy is still therapy.

The practitioner should be able to support emotional moments with care and professionalism, while also considering privacy, safety, and your comfort.

Is walk and talk therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is an important consideration in walk and talk therapy.

Because sessions may happen in public or semi-public spaces, there is always some possibility of seeing other people. A practitioner should talk with you about this before beginning outdoor sessions.

You may discuss:

• what happens if you see someone you know

• how the therapist will respond in public

• where sessions will take place

• whether certain routes offer more privacy

• how personal information will be protected

• whether a different format would feel safer

Some clients feel comfortable walking in public spaces. Others prefer quieter areas, private outdoor settings, online sessions, or indoor therapy.

There is no single right answer. The important thing is that privacy and confidentiality are discussed clearly, not assumed.

Is walk and talk therapy the same as outdoor therapy?

Walk and talk therapy is one form of outdoor or movement-based therapy, but the terms are not always identical.

Walk and talk therapy usually refers to therapy sessions that take place while walking and talking, often outdoors.

Outdoor therapy is broader. It may include sitting outdoors, nature-based activities, exposure-based work, mindfulness in nature, adventure therapy, or other approaches that use outdoor environments therapeutically.

Nature-based therapy, sometimes called ecotherapy, may involve using the natural environment more intentionally as part of the therapeutic process. You can read more about this in our guide to Nature-Based Therapy and Ecotherapy.

Movement-based therapy is also broader. It may include walking, body awareness, somatic practices, green exercise, or other forms of therapeutic movement. You can explore these approaches in our guide to Movement-Based Therapy Approaches.

The key point is this:

Walk and talk therapy is one doorway into therapy beyond four walls, but it is not the only one.

Can walk and talk therapy be done online?

Some practitioners offer remote or hybrid forms of walk and talk therapy.

For example, you may speak with your therapist by phone while walking in your own local area. Others may offer online sessions that include movement-based reflection, grounding, or between-session walking prompts.

This can be useful for people who:

• do not have a walk and talk therapist nearby

• prefer phone-based support

• live in rural or regional areas

• need flexible access

• feel more comfortable walking in their own neighbourhood

Online or phone-based walking sessions still require planning, privacy, and safety. You and the practitioner may discuss where you will walk, whether you feel safe, how privacy will be managed, and what to do if you become distressed or distracted.

If you are browsing practitioners, check whether they offer in-person, online, or hybrid sessions through the directory.

What should I ask before booking a walk and talk therapist?

Before booking walk and talk therapy, it can help to ask:

• Are you trained and qualified to provide therapy or counselling?

• Do you offer walk and talk therapy regularly?

• Where do sessions usually take place?

• How do you manage privacy outdoors?

• What happens in bad weather?

• What pace do we walk at?

• Can we pause or sit if needed?

• Do you offer indoor, online, or hybrid options?

• How do you decide whether walk and talk therapy is suitable?

• What kinds of concerns do you usually support?

You do not need to ask every question at once. But you are allowed to understand how the process works before you begin.

A clear practitioner profile can also help. The Walk and Talk Therapy Directory lets you browse practitioners by location, therapy modalities, session format, and whether they are accepting new clients.

How to find a walk and talk therapist near you

If you are searching for a walk and talk therapist near you, you can start with the Walk and Talk Therapy Directory.

The directory helps you explore practitioners offering:

• walk and talk therapy

• outdoor therapy

• nature-based therapy

• movement-based therapy

• mindfulness-based walks

• somatic or body-aware therapy

• other nature-integrated approaches

You can browse by location, modality, session format, and availability. The site is designed to help clients find practitioners who integrate walking, movement, and nature into their therapeutic work.

Because practitioners work differently, it is worth reading profiles carefully and contacting the practitioner directly to ask whether their approach fits your needs.

Walk and Talk Therapy is an independent directory. It does not provide therapy, clinical services, matching, or individual recommendations, and practitioners remain independent in their work.

Final thoughts

Walk and talk therapy is not just a walk.

It is not a lesser version of therapy.

It is a different way of creating a therapeutic conversation; one that may feel more natural, accessible, and human for some people.

For those who feel uncomfortable sitting face-to-face, think more clearly while moving, or feel calmer outdoors, walk and talk therapy can offer another way into support.

Therapy does not have to look one way.

For some people, the first step is literal.

Find a walk and talk therapist

Looking for walk and talk therapy near you?

Search the Walk and Talk Therapy Directory to find therapists and practitioners offering outdoor, movement-based, and nature-integrated support.

If you are a practitioner offering walk and talk therapy, outdoor therapy, or movement-based support, you can learn more about joining the directory here: For Practitioners.