Sometimes the Best Therapy Happens Outside

Walk and talk counselling is exactly what it sounds like: therapy that happens while walking outdoors instead of sitting in a traditional office or meeting online.

Personally, I love it! Sessions take place side-by-side in nature, allowing conversation to unfold more naturally while the body is gently moving. For many people, this simple shift can make counselling feel less intense, more grounded, and easier to engage in.

At its core, walk and talk counselling combines three powerful elements that settles the nervous system and promotes better mental health: movement, talk therapy, and nature.

Why Walk and Talk Counselling Works

For many people, sitting face-to-face in a room can feel intense, especially when talking about emotions, stress, or difficult life experiences.

Walking side-by-side often changes that dynamic. It reduces the pressure of direct eye contact, supports a more natural flow of conversation, and helps the nervous system feel less "on alert."

Movement itself plays an important role. Gentle walking helps regulate stress, supports emotional processing, and can make it easier to think clearly and speak more freely. Many people find they open up more naturally when their body is in motion.

Nature adds another layer of support. Being outdoors has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and support nervous system regulation. The combination of fresh air, open space, and natural surroundings creates a therapeutic environment that many people find calming and grounding.

As both a counsellor and someone who genuinely enjoys being outdoors, I've seen firsthand how quickly people can begin to relax when they leave four walls behind. There is often a noticeable shift when we step onto a trail, hear running water, or simply have more space to breathe and move.

Who Walk and Talk Counselling Can Benefit

Walk and talk counselling can be especially helpful for people who:

• Feel more comfortable talking side-by-side rather than face-to-face

• Experience anxiety or restlessness in traditional office settings

• Feel stuck or overwhelmed when talking about emotions

• Find movement helpful for thinking and emotional regulation

• Prefer being outdoors rather than in enclosed spaces

• Are navigating stress, anxiety, ADHD, burnout, or life transitions

  
  

It can also be a great fit for teens and young adults.

Many youth find it less intimidating than sitting in an office, and I find conversations flow more naturally. Being outdoors can take some of the pressure off therapy and create an environment where talking feels more relaxed and authentic.

I've also found walk and talk counselling to be particularly helpful for first responders. The combination of movement, nature, and side-by-side conversation often feels more comfortable than a traditional office setting. If you're interested in learning more, I've written another article exploring Why walk and talk counselling can feel easier for first responders.

Cleveland Dam Park in North Vancouver

My walk and talk sessions take place at Cleveland Dam Park in North Vancouver, a setting that naturally supports this type of therapy.

With views of the Lions, canyon trails along the river, and towering evergreen forests, the environment offers a sense of spaciousness that can be difficult to replicate indoors.

The fresh air, steady movement, and natural surroundings become part of the therapeutic process. The rhythm of walking, the openness of the landscape, and the sensory experience of being outdoors all support reflection and regulation.

Sometimes Tilly Joins Us (Woof!)

If clients are comfortable with dogs and feel it would be a good fit, my dog Tilly will occasionally join us for a walk and talk session. This is especially popular with some youth clients.

I've found that some of my more

hesitant youth clients relax a little faster when Tilly is trotting alongside us. Sometimes having something else to focus on like a dog to pet, a stick to throw, or simply a friendly presence nearby makes therapy feel a little less intimidating.

There is something naturally calming about being around animals. Dogs don't judge, analyze, or expect us to be anything other than ourselves. They simply show up with curiosity, presence, and connection. 

Not everyone wants a therapy dog companion, and that's perfectly okay. But for clients who are dog people, Tilly often adds an extra layer of warmth and comfort to the experience.

A Different Kind of Therapy Experience

Walk and talk counselling isn't about replacing traditional therapy. It's about offering another option that better fits how some people process emotions and engage in conversation.

For many, it feels less clinical and more natural. Conversation flows differently. Thoughts feel less stuck. And the combination of movement, nature, and sometimes even the companionship of a dog like Tilly can make difficult topics feel more manageable.

At its heart, it's still therapy, but with a little more space, a little more fresh air, and a little more room to move forward.

Advance Counselling offers in-person counselling and walk-and-talk counselling in North Vancouver, as well as secure online counselling across British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.

This article was written by Ashleigh Gold, MA, RCC, co-owner of Advance Counselling. Ashleigh and co-owner Natasha Chalke provide compassionate, evidence-based counselling for couples, adults, teens, and families navigating anxiety, ADHD, trauma, relationship challenges, parenting, co-parenting, and life transitions.