Nature Therapy… Let’s Walk & Talk

Furry friends welcome!

A unique opportunity to connect with your counsellor outside in nature.

Hanna from Hanna Hilyer Counselling provides a counselling experience in nature that is supportive, safe, and comfortable. Clients have the choice to spend their session
walking or sitting outdoors in local parks, beaches, walkways, and paths. Walk and talk sessions often include a mix of walking and sitting (on benches, logs, etc.).

Benefits of walk and talk sessions include:

• Light physical movement

• Decreased stress response (fight/flight)

• Mindfulness and grounding

• left/right brain activation

• Opportunities for mindfulness in nature

• Increasing one’s connection with nature

• Using walking as a coping strategy

• Lowering stress, anxiety, and depression

Many clients report an increased sense of grounding and relaxation during outdoor sessions. Clients have also reported feeling more at ease talking about difficult experiences and emotions while walking beside their counsellor compared to sitting across from each other in an office. However, walk and talk outdoor sessions may not be the right fit for everyone. Here are some considerations for when it might not be the best fit:

• Uncomfortable spending time in nature

• Uncomfortable in conditions that may be wet or cold

• Discomfort sharing private details that may be overheard in public spaces

• Heightened arousal states that need a contained space to feel safe

If nature-based therapy seems like a good fit for your counselling needs, please feel free to reach out to me to discuss this option further.