What is Outdoor Therapy?
In addition to traditional talking therapy I now offer Outdoor Therapy, also known as Walk & Talk Therapy.
This approach combines the benefits of talking therapies with time spent out into nature.
As an experienced hiker and Scout leader I have long been aware of the mental health benefits of getting away from the city.
One reason I personally dislike the term Walk & Talk is that with the right accommodation Outdoor Therapy can be inclusive of disabled people.
How does Outdoor Therapy work?
In many ways the actual therapy part of Outdoor Therapy is much what you would expect. It is a talking therapy in which I provide a non-judgemental active listener, offering support and guidance where I can.
Being a person centred approach, Outdoor Therapy is very much based on what works for you.
We might spend the entire walk in vigorous conversation. We might enjoy quietly sharing the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. We might end up doing a bit of one and little of the other.
Who can benefit from Outdoor Therapy?
Outdoor therapy would benefit anyone who wants to talk through their feelings, but cannot stand the idea sitting in a therapist’s office. In particular neurodivergent clients could benefit from this approach.
As someone with ADHD myself I know it can be challenging just to sit still for the fifty minutes of a therapy session.
It could also just be a way for you to get your steps in while also seeing a therapist. It might be an alternative approach worth trying if you have had a bad experience of therapy in the past.
What should I expect in an Outdoor Therapy session?
Sessions will usually take place along the Leeds and Liverpool canal (River Aire), starting from Leeds Dock. We will walk at whatever pace you are comfortable for whatever distance you are comfortable.
While there is no need to invest in full hiking gear, comfortable shoes and a suitable coat for the weather are recommended. The expectation is that the session will go ahead unless there is a Met Office weather warning in place.
Contrary to the name Walk & Talk, the canal tow path is smooth and level, making it suitable for wheelchair users. There are also no stiles or gates that might impede those with mobility issues.
Sessions will usually be an hour, turning back after a short rest at the half way point. If you are up for it, there is also the option to book a double session and walk the five miles to Thwaite Watermill and back.
Sessions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on your preference. I do also offer more traditional talking therapy online or face-to-face in LS1 if you would like a blended approach.
While every effort will be made towards confidentiality, this cannot be absolutely guaranteed given we will be in public. The tow path is usually quiet so this should be as simple as pausing the conversation while people walk past.