Walk and Talk Therapy

Walk and Talk Therapy offers counselling outdoors, allowing us to meet side by side in nature rather than sitting in a therapy room.

For some people, this feels more natural, less intense, and easier than talking face to face in an office. Being outside, moving gently, and walking alongside someone can help sessions feel calmer, more relaxed, and less pressured.

I offer Walk and Talk Therapy in Chorley and the surrounding area as an alternative to room-based counselling for adults who may benefit from a more open and grounding setting. My work is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and tailored to your individual needs.

What is Walk and Talk Therapy?

Walk and Talk Therapy is a form of counselling that takes place outdoors while we walk together at a pace that feels comfortable for you. It combines the benefits of talking therapy with the calming effects of fresh air, movement, and time in nature. For many people, being outside can help them feel more at ease, less self-conscious, and more able to open up. This way of working can be especially helpful if you find sitting in a therapy room too formal, too intense, or simply not the right fit for you.

Why choose outdoor counselling?

Some people find it easier to talk when they are walking rather than sitting still in a room. Walking side by side can feel less exposing than sitting opposite a therapist, and the rhythm of movement can help thoughts and feelings flow more naturally.

Walk and Talk Therapy may be helpful if you are:

feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed
dealing with grief, loss, or bereavement
processing trauma or difficult life experiences
struggling with low mood or low self-esteem
feeling stuck and in need of a different way to reflect
someone who feels calmer and more grounded outdoors
more comfortable moving than sitting still for long periods
looking for a gentler, less formal therapy experience

How Walk and Talk Therapy can help

Being outdoors can bring a different quality to therapy. Nature can feel soothing and grounding, and gentle movement can help reduce some of the pressure people feel in more traditional settings.

Walk and Talk Therapy can support you to:

feel calmer and less overwhelmed
talk more openly in a relaxed setting
feel grounded through movement and connection with nature
reflect on difficulties in a less formal environment
learn grounding and coping strategies in real time
feel more comfortable in your body during therapy
build self-awareness, confidence, and emotional resilience

For some people, walking also brings a sense of movement, progress, and perspective, which can feel meaningful when working through emotional difficulties or life changes.

What kinds of issues can Walk and Talk Therapy help with?

Walk and Talk Therapy may be helpful for many of the same issues supported in room-based counselling, including:

anxiety and stress
bereavement and loss
trauma
burnout
depression
OCD
low self-esteem
identity and life transitions

Whether we meet outdoors or in the therapy room, the focus remains on offering you a safe, supportive space to explore what is going on for you.

What are sessions like?

Walk and Talk sessions are paced around you. We walk at a comfortable speed, and there is no pressure to keep moving if you need to slow down, pause, or take a moment.

I have several different routes available, with varying lengths and locations. Some walks begin from my office in Adlington, while others may involve meeting at a nearby agreed location.

Before beginning Walk and Talk Therapy, we will have at least one session in my office. This gives us the chance to talk through:

what has brought you to counselling
what you would like support with
how Walk and Talk Therapy works
which routes may be suitable
confidentiality and what happens if we see someone you know
safety, boundaries, and risk assessment
whether this type of therapy feels like the right fit for you

Is Walk and Talk Therapy confidential?

Yes — confidentiality is taken seriously in Walk and Talk Therapy, just as it is in room-based counselling.

Before we begin, we will talk through how confidentiality works outdoors, including what we would do if we met someone you know or if privacy felt limited in a particular moment. The aim is always to help you feel informed, safe, and comfortable.

Is Walk and Talk Therapy right for everyone?

Not always. Some people prefer the privacy and predictability of a therapy room, while others find outdoor counselling much more comfortable.

Walk and Talk Therapy may be a good option if you enjoy being outside, feel more at ease when moving, or would prefer not to sit face to face in a room. We can talk together about whether it feels right for you.