Walk and Talk Therapy for Trauma

Walk and Talk Therapy for trauma is a powerful, movement-based approach that blends traditional counselling with the calming, grounding effects of walking outdoors. Within my private practice, I offer this therapy in a range of natural settings for this therapy, such as parks, trails, or beaches. Walk & Talk Therapy can be especially supportive for trauma survivors for a few key reasons:

1. Regulates the Nervous System

Walking engages the body’s bilateral stimulation - a left-right rhythm that can help soothe the nervous system and promote emotional regulation. This mirrors some elements of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), which is also used in trauma therapy.

2. Reduces Intensity

For clients who find eye contact or sitting in a room face-to-face overwhelming, walking side-by-side can reduce pressure and increase comfort. This setup can feel less intimidating and support emotional safety - essential for trauma work.

3. Reconnects with the Body

Trauma often causes people to disconnect from their bodies. Gentle movement like walking can help clients reinhabit their physical experience in a safe, mindful way. When paired with trauma-informed dialogue, this can be an empowering step in healing.

4. Incorporates Nature’s Soothing Effects

Spending time in natural settings is shown to lower cortisol, reduce anxiety, and enhance mood. Being outdoors can support grounding, presence, and a greater sense of spaciousness - internally and externally.

5. Supports Flow and Integration

Movement can support the natural “flow” of thoughts, emotions, and memories. Some clients find that walking helps them access and process things that feel stuck when sitting still. It can also help integrate what’s explored in session more fully.

Therapeutic Considerations

• Consent and Control: Trauma-informed walk and talk therapy honours the client’s pace - including how far to walk, where to go, and when to pause. All walking locations include quiet pockets of seating so that we can gently transition to stillness if that feels more comfortable

  
  

• Privacy: Care is taken to choose routes that respect confidentiality, or to establish how we'll handle interruptions if they arise.

  
  

• Somatic Awareness: Walk & Talk can include gently tracking physical sensations, grounding cues, and your window of tolerance while walking.

  
  

• Pacing the Work: For deeper trauma processing, walk and talk may be one part of a broader therapeutic approach - balancing movement with telehealth or more structured sessions when needed.

When It Can Be Helpful

Walk and talk therapy can be particularly effective for trauma clients who:

• Feel stuck in traditional talk therapy

• Struggle with feeling “in their body”

• Experience anxiety, depression, or hyperarousal

• Benefit from experiential or somatic approaches

• Appreciate a less formal, more natural setting

To explore if Walk & Talk Therapy is the right fit for you, you're welcome to reach out for a free Discovery Call where we can talk about what kinds of therapy feel right for you.

You may also like to visit my Walk & Talk page which highlights more about the therapeutic style and the range of walking locations available.

If you're feeling ready - or even just wondering if you're ready - I’d be honoured to walk with you.