Walk N’ Talk
Why would I want to walk and talk?
I believe exercise is a huge component in mental health. More and more studies have shown a correlation between regular exercise and increased positive mental health. I often encourage exercise for my clients but I know that most people are busy. Finding time to exercise and go to a therapy session in addition to the other obligations of daily living is often challenging. If this sounds like you, you might find that combining your exercise and therapy into the same 50 minutes block of time is a good solution.
Walk n’ Talk for Teens
Some teens find it difficult to sit in a room and talk about what is going on in their lives. The thoughts and emotions that they felt while they were occurring can be difficult to access later in a clinical situation. This is why walk n’ talk may be a good option. Some teens can talk about difficult or painful issues more easily while they are being physically active.
Is it strenuous?
When we Walk n’ Talk, you will set the pace. Whether you’re a person who thinks better on their feet during a leisurely stroll, or someone who needs a workout combined with a therapy session, you can determine the pace of the walking. We could even do a more strenuous hike. Just remember: we’ll need to keep to a pace where we can talk comfortably – after all it is called Walk n’ Talk.
How does it work?
Generally I like the first meeting to take place at my office – to take care of paperwork and for us to get acquainted. Once we determine Walk n’ Talk is a good fit, we will start doing sessions outside. We can meet at the Rogue River Greenway at the bridge or at the Palmerton Arboretum. In the case of a rainout we can choose to reschedule. I normally do these sessions on specific mornings of the week.
Is it confidential?
Unfortunately, because these sessions occur outside, I cannot guarantee complete confidentiality. We will discuss this fully in our first session. It is possible that we will come across acquaintances as we are walking, or parts of our conversation may be overheard. You must be willing to take this risk when you agree to this therapy.
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
Jim Ryan