Ecotherapy and Walk and Talk Counseling
Ecotherapy, also known as "nature therapy" or "green therapy," is a form of therapy that utilizes our natural environment to promote mental and emotional well-being. Ecotherapy is based on the idea that spending time in nature has a positive impact on our mental health. It provides us with the opportunity to disconnect from all of the electronics and distractions of daily life and to connect with the present moment. Ecotherapy can take many different forms, including, hiking, gardening, having a picnic, spending time in a park, and just about anything done in a natural setting.
Within the mental health field, an increasingly popular form of ecotherapy is walk and talk sessions, which involve engaging in conversation with a trained therapist while walking in nature ( think of talk therapy, but outdoors) The idea behind this approach is that the natural environment can provide a calming and grounding effect, which can help individuals to feel more relaxed and open to discussing their thoughts and feelings. Additionally, the physical activity of walking can promote the release of endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress.
Here are some benefits of walk and talk counseling sessions:
Helps to reduce stress: Walking in nature can help to reduce stress levels by lowering cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. The natural environment can provide a sense of calm and tranquility that helps to counteract the effects of stress.
Improves mood: The physical activity of walking can promote the release of endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress. This can help to improve overall well-being and enhance cognitive functioning, such as attention and memory.
Enhances relaxation: The natural environment can provide a calming and grounding effect, which can help individuals to feel more relaxed and open to discussing their thoughts and feelings.
Helps with mental health conditions: Walk and talk sessions have been found to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Offers a unique and holistic approach: Walk and talk sessions offer a unique and holistic approach to counseling that combines the benefits of nature and physical activity with traditional talk therapy.
Provides an alternative to traditional office-based therapy: Walk and talk sessions can be a great option for individuals who are looking for an alternative to traditional office-based therapy or who are seeking to connect more deeply with nature.
During walk and talk sessions, a trained therapist will guide the conversation and help the individual to process their thoughts and emotions. Although we call them “walk and talk sessions” you don’t actually have to walk the entire time. The therapist can also incorporate nature-based activities, such as mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, yoga and/or journaling exercises, to enhance the therapeutic experience.
While walk and talk counseling sessions provide an opportunity to use ecotherapy as a modality of treatment, there are limitations to confidentiality to take into consideration (like how to handle a situation where you bump into someone you know) and discuss with your therapist prior to beginning. If you are looking for a unique, holistic or alternative approach to therapy, ask your therapist about the pros and cons of walk and talk sessions.
