Getting Started as a Walking Therapist: A Step-by-Step Guide

Objectives

Explore the scientific under-pinnings of walking-based format of psychotherapeutic treatment and which clients it may be appropriate for.
Develop ethical guidelines and informed consent that include specific considerations for public walking therapy.
Examine the risks and benefits of walking therapy.
Learn the 3 significant factors that are active during walk and talk, combining movement, nature, and therapy.
Learn how to conduct a session while outdoors; including seeing others on the trail, handling the various weather conditions, different terrain, and how to use nature to enhance the effectiveness of the therapy.
Learn 4 specific mindfulness-based strategies that can be used during outdoor and walking therapy.

Outline

Introduction

Walking therapy 101:

History, research, and evidence of walk and talk therapy

History of walk and talk therapy
Most prominent practitioners: From Freud to Kostrubala.
Research on walk and talk therapy
Research on nature’s therapeutic effect and the biophilia hypothesis.
Research on physiological response to movement, and how movement effects mood and anxiety levels

Getting started: The Most Important First Steps

How to screen clients
How to have critical conversations with clients prior to first sessions
Confidentiality and how to create your informed consent
How to shift your mindset from indoors to outdoors
Maintaining boundaries while outdoors.
5 necessary therapeutic skills to meet the needs of the client during outdoor sessions.
Case example of how to run an outdoor group therapy session.
Audio session demonstration

How to harness the environment for therapeutic success

How to maintain your sense of professionalism outside
Incorporating nature and utilizing mindfulness strategies while walking.
3 powerful examples of meditation strategies that are effective outside
Creative and applicable ways to weave nature into the therapeutic process. Nature as a metaphor.
Experience a virtual walk with 5 examples of natural tools to add to your therapy repertoire.
The importance of holding space for client’s emotions in an outdoor environment
Tips for dealing with challenging scenarios

Putting it All Together: Strategies to Prepare for your outdoor practice.

A checklist to prepare you for your first outdoor session
Risks and addressing concerns about the weather; including how to handle rescheduling, or finding shelter
Confronting critical topics related to the ethical questions of a walk and talk practice
Best practices on scheduling and billing clients
Managing documentation
Use of technology in your practice
Answers to serious questions about first aid, and a safety plan while on the trail.
What walk and talk therapists can contribute to the world. The future of walk and talk therapy

A Client Demonstration Session with Commentary

Target Audience

Getting off the Couch: How to Incorporate Walking Therapy in your Practice

Objectives

Investigate the scientific under-pinnings of walking-based format of psychotherapeutic treatment and which clients it may be appropriate for.
Categorize the significant elements that are applied during walk and talk, combining movement, nature, and therapy.
Propose how to conduct a session while outdoors; including seeing others on the trail, handling the various weather conditions, different terrain, and how to use nature to enhance the effectiveness of the therapy.
Apply 2 specific mindfulness-based strategies that can be used during outdoor and walking therapy.

Outline

Combining nature, movement, and therapy. Who has it worked well for?
Origins of Walk-and-Talk Therapy. Background, research, and history of walking therapy. Explanation of the physiological response to movement, and how movement effects mood and anxiety levels.
Demonstration of the approach
Creative and applicable ways to weave nature into the therapeutic process.
Getting started in offering this format of treatment.

Target Audience