Stepping out

If you’re interested in outdoor counselling – sometimes known as Walk & Talk therapy – but haven’t experienced it before, you might be wondering how it works. There are some considerations that don’t arise in a traditional therapy room or online session. Here, I’ve tried to answer some of the questions you might have. Please do get in touch if you would like to explore this possibility further.

How do outdoor counselling sessions work?

We agree a place and time to meet that gives us access to an outdoor space. There are several areas I tend to use in Runcorn and Frodsham but we will discuss possibilities and make sure you know where you are going. I try to choose places where there is somewhere to park if you are arriving by car. I can also suggest places that are near bus routes or train stations.

We will then usually take a walk, at a relaxed pace. Sometimes, we might take folding chairs, foam sit mats or a tarpaulin sheet and sit in a particular space instead. These things are all decided between us based on your needs and preferences as the client.

What should I wear/bring?

Whatever you would normally wear for a walk, depending on the season and weather, but perhaps with an extra layer because of our slow pace. Sturdy comfortable footwear suited to the conditions – trainers will often be ok in good weather but sometimes waterproof shoes or boots are preferable. Waterproof coat and perhaps waterproof trousers depending on the weather and your preference – although experiencing nature in all weathers is sometimes beneficial, we can meet indoors or online in particularly wet/windy/icy weather. On rainy days without too much wind, umbrellas can be helpful for us to carry on a conversation without hoods getting in the way. You might want to consider a sun hat/glasses, bottle of water and sun cream in the summer and a warm hat and gloves in the winter.

What if it’s raining?

Up to you. We can still meet outdoors as planned, or we can meet online using Google Meet, or at a counselling room. I will check forecasts the day before our session and if the weather is looking iffy, I will send an email or text, as agreed between us, asking you to decide whether you would like to go ahead outdoors or meet indoors or online. Conditions that I would automatically avoid are very heavy rain as this makes it difficult to hear each other, high winds that may cause a risk of falling trees/branches or forecasts of thunderstorms.

What if…?

I’ve sprained my ankle, have a cold, don’t want to go outside, the dog ate my waterproof coat, it’s hay fever season…

Then we can meet indoors or online. Choosing to see a counsellor who practises outdoors doesn’t mean we have to go out in any circumstances. It means that meeting outdoors is our default but if there are reasons not to, then we have the alternative of an online session or to switch to one of the venues I use for face-to-face sessions.

What about confidentiality in public places?

Confidentiality is important in counselling to allow clients to open up, knowing that whatever they say goes no further. The outdoor spaces I use are open to the public, so this does mean that we may be seen and overheard. I look for places that tend to be quiet or have plenty of room for us to avoid other people but it’s important that you understand that we may still pass other walkers. If you see someone you know, I will step back and allow you to engage if you wish to do so. If I see someone I know, I will say hello and politely move on.

What about health & safety?

You are generally responsible for your own physical safety during sessions as you would be if you took a walk independently. I have completed a risk assessment for sessions and as part of mitigating those risks there are some that I will make you aware of before our first outdoor session together. These are: trips and falls on uneven ground, contact with stinging or thorny plants, risk to face/eyes from branches or undergrowth at face level, risk of injury or infection from hazardous litter such as broken glass, dog dirt, dogs running loose and traffic near sites. Additionally, the risk of cold or heat-related illness.

I maintain an awareness of potential hazards as we walk as part of a dynamic risk assessment practice. I carry a first aid kit and mobile phone. I am a qualified outdoor first aider.

What if I have a pre-existing health condition I’m worried about?

If you have a health issue or condition that makes you worried about taking part in outdoor counselling sessions, please let me know so that we can together discuss any risk, what we could do to mitigate it and whether this mode of counselling is suitable for you.

What if I have a disability that makes it harder for me to do outdoor counselling sessions?

I would like to make outdoor counselling as accessible as possible. I can discuss with you your needs and potential places we could meet. For example, park areas that have surfaced paths, places suitable for sitting rather than walking. Please get in touch.