I love walking…this time of year has me outside any day that’s not raining.
There’s something about walking that creates space for new thought…quiet spaces seem somehow different in a way that’s hard to explain.
Walking feels good…and after, knowing that there has been a healthy long walk, it feels great.
Walking forward creates movement that can create new possibilities and thought.
We were made for walking more than we were made for sitting:
We are trying something new at Bergen and Associates Counselling…“Walk’n’Talk” therapy. Clients have the option of asking to go for a walk for the session, rather than having the session in our offices in the more traditional setting.
The benefits of walking while talking through therapy include:
- fresh thinking–as one is walking literally “outside the box” of a four walled office, new ideas and new perspectives have a chance to emerge and be explored
- research is suggesting that the “alternating bilateral movement” (the pattern of left right left right motion of walking) can integrate the two halves of the brain…roughly (very roughly)–one side of the brain talks, and the other feels…if the brain can integrate effectively, a client can understand what they are feeling in new ways
- walking is “moving forward” literally, and it has been found that it can help a client “move forward” in their lives, and in their conversation in therapy
- being in nature does something for people…the green-ness of nature is full of rich aliveness, the fresh air, the space, the vast blue sky…it does something to a soul…something powerful…and having significant life conversations in nature can be meaningful
- walking, quite simply is healthy. It is good for your body…walking during therapy does something good for soul…and body!
This could be a cool option for clients. Current clients: ask for it, if you’re interested. Your therapist will provide you with a release we’d ask you to read over and sign…to have you be aware of all the factors to make sure it is right for you, and take care of the legal stuff…you can look it over and sign it in preparation for walking the following session.
New clients may want to consider this option, though initial sessions are done in the office. Ask about it.
Please know that you are under no obligation to pursue this, and your therapist may decide that it isn’t suitable for the work you are doing together.
We have the lovely Crescent Drive Park to circle through a few blocks through a beautiful quiet residential neighbourhood.
Bergen and Associates believes in therapy that connects body and soul…and we are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to improve our service and allow us to better suit our therapy to each client. We believe that “Walk’n’Talk” therapy will be ideal for many of our clients.
Go for a walk’n’talk therapy sessions with one of us this summer?
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