Invigorate your work day, enhance your practice AND naturally expand both you and your clients’ physical and psychological health by adding walking sessions. The Walk and Talks Certification badge on your website and social media offers your you credibility as a walking psychotherapy provider. This training course will teach you how to adapt your therapeutic style (CBT, Pscyhodynamic, DBT etc..) to incorporate walking sessions while maintaining healthy boundaries, client confidentiality, and the option of adding guided walking meditation or intentional trauma release to any session.

Clients will know that you value wholistic wellness, the mind-body connection, and integrating the benefits of walking in nature into traditional sessions. Many of our clients have trauma issues; Walk and Talks may be one of the most therapeutic interventions for trauma recovery. We can release unconscious stored trauma through physical movement. During your training, you will gain confidence in your ability to facilitate “walking trauma release exercises” through skills learned in our training video.

YOU CAN BRING YOUR DOG! Many of our clients (and us) have emotional support animals, or pets who are not necessarily officially certified but we know how much they help. Both you and your clients can walk their dogs during sessions! More time management and emotional gains for all. This is optional depending upon therapist’s preferences.

EXCELLENT OPTION FOR CLIENTS WHO DO NOT ENJOY INTENSE EYE CONTACT Traditional office settings are difficult for some clients. The eye contact, the “power dynamic,” and the rigidity of office procedures can feel uncomfortable and anxiety provoking. Walking sessions offer side by side, casual talking, Walking therapists offer a lighter, more joyful, LESS uptight, yet no less professional approach to psychotherapy sessions.

WELCOME ADDITION TO CHILD THERAPY Child therapists are able to integrate play therapy into their walking sessions. Most kids still need more fresh air and exercise, so parents generally appreciate this added wellness feature. Walking around a park, swinging on a swings etc.. can also be much more fun for you as a provider.

DAILY STEP COUNT INCREASES Your daily step count automatically increases! You are more invigorated and often more alert, less stressed (endorphins anyone?) inspired, relaxed and creative. Walk and Talks inherently promote our own self care, something we therapists sitting in offices all day know is necessary.

INSTANT MOOD BOOST AND ANXIETY REDUCTION Most of our clients struggle with some level of anxiety and/or depression. Walking has been shown to help with not only reducing these symptoms, but also boosting our immune systems. We all want that! The more social, relaxed environment of walking and talking also boosts a client’s sense of feeling supported, open, and free to be themselves.

BUSY NEW PARENTS CAND WALK THEIR BABIES Walking sessions are an excellent therapy option for new parents. We all know how difficult it can be to get to therapy when you now also have the adjustment stressors of leaving a child and hiring a sitter, New parents enjoy the option of brining their babies plus the opportunity to address any new parent issues.

Many of us would much rather be walking outside and enjoying the fresh air and exercise as we do what we love. Sessions become more of something to look forward to. A walk with your client in a park, along a beach, or through a nature trail can now be part of your work day!

You and your clients reap the physical and psychological rewards as you also do what you do best: give your clients professional guidance, support, and affirmations.