Walk & Talk Grief Counselling
- The Counselling Cove
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Grief changes the rhythm of life.
Time feels different. The mind feels fuller. The world can seem both louder and strangely distant at the same time. Life continues to move forward, even when it feels as though something inside has paused.
And when you’re wanting support to help process what you’ve been through, the idea of sitting inside and talking can sometimes feel overwhelming - especially when you’re already carrying so much.
This is where walk & talk therapy can offer a gentler way to begin.
Grief Is More Than Loss — It’s a Nervous System Experience
To understand why movement and environment can matter during grief, it’s helpful to first understand how grief affects the nervous system.
Grief doesn’t only affect how we think or feel - it places the nervous system under ongoing strain, influencing energy levels, emotions, concentration, and our capacity to feel settled or safe.
Grief can follow many kinds of loss, including:
infertility or pregnancy loss
estrangement
the life you expected but didn’t get
Whatever the source, grief often activates the body’s stress response for long periods of time.
People may experience:
emotional numbness or shutdown
restlessness and agitation
difficulty concentrating
sudden waves of sadness
irritability or overwhelm
a sense of disconnection from the world
subtle changes in the brain and neural pathways
These reactions are not signs of “not coping well.” They are natural responses to loss - the nervous system doing its best to protect and adapt.
When grief is held in the body this way, environments that feel too still, enclosed, or intense can sometimes make those responses feel stronger.
This is one of the reasons why approaches that involve movement, fresh air, and reduced intensity - such as walk & talk therapy - can feel more accessible during periods of grief.
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How Walk & Talk Therapy Can Support Grief
Walk & talk therapy offers a different way of holding grief - one that gently supports both the body and the mind during times of loss.
Rather than requiring grief to be spoken about in a particular way or setting, it allows the process to unfold naturally, supported by movement, environment, and pace.
🌿 Gentle movement supports regulation
Walking provides rhythmic, grounding movement that can help the nervous system settle. This can make it easier to stay present with emotions as they arise, without becoming overwhelmed.
🌿 Nature offers a sense of spaciousness
Being outdoors can soften the intensity grief often brings. Open space, natural light, and fresh air can create a feeling of room to breathe - emotionally as well as physically.
🌿 Side-by-side conversation can feel safer
Talking while walking can reduce intensity which some people feel in face-to-face interaction. For many people, this makes it easier to speak freely, pause when needed, or sit quietly together without pressure.
🌿 Silence is held gently
Moments of quiet don’t have to be filled. Nature provides its own background - birds, breeze, movement - allowing silence to feel supportive rather than heavy.
🌿 Grief can move at its own pace
There is no expectation to talk continuously or reach insight quickly. Walking allows conversation, emotion, and reflection to ebb and flow naturally.
🌿 The body is included in the healing process
Because grief is experienced physically as well as emotionally, involving the body through movement can feel more aligned than working only through words.
While walk & talk therapy can feel supportive for some people during grief, others may prefer the consistency and privacy of indoor or online counselling, which I also offer. There is no single “right” way to receive support - only what feels most grounding for you at this moment. Some clients find that mixing and matching settings can be especially helpful as they navigate their healing.
Walk & Talk Therapy Is Not About Forcing Grief to Move Faster
Grief cannot - and does not need to - be rushed. Walk & talk therapy isn’t about “fixing” your grief or moving it along more quickly. Instead, it offers a way to hold and process grief at your own pace, in a setting that supports both your mind and body.
Sessions allow space for whatever is present in the moment - silence, reflection, tears, memories, or gentle conversation. There is no expectation to reach insight or have everything figured out. Some sessions may feel reflective, others more practical, and some may simply provide a quiet pause in the day. All of it is valid.
What a Walk & Talk Session Might Look Like
Each session is shaped around what feels most supportive for you. A typical session might include:
Walking at a comfortable, gentle pace
Pausing or sitting whenever needed
Talking freely - or simply being in quiet reflection
Expressing emotions naturally - sadness, anger, or relief
Grounding through the surroundings, noticing sights, sounds, and movement
Gradually exploring coping strategies, memories, or reflections if and when they feel safe
The emphasis is on moving with your grief, rather than trying to move it. Your body, mind, and emotions are all invited to take part in the healing process - gently and safely.
For more, you may like to read my blog: Walk & Talk Therapy: Your Guide to Counselling on the Move
Who Might Find Walk & Talk Grief Counselling Helpful
This approach can be particularly supportive if you:
Feel physically restless or emotionally heavy
Find reflection easier while moving
Want a more flexible or less structured environment
Appreciate integrating nature into the process
Simply want an alternative to sitting in a room, or a mix of formats
Walk & talk therapy is not about replacing indoor counselling, but offering a complementary way to explore grief - one that can sit alongside, or be combined with, other settings according to your needs.
If you’re navigating loss and wondering whether walk & talk therapy might feel supportive, you can learn more about my outdoor counselling sessions on my Walk & Talk page, or reach out to book a free initial chat.
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