Healing that
moves with you
Sometimes the most profound breakthroughs happen when you’re not sitting across from a desk. Walk & Talk Therapy combines the benefits of movement with the power of therapeutic conversation — outdoors, side by side.
What is Walk & Talk Therapy?
Walk & Talk Therapy is exactly what it sounds like: your therapy session, conducted while walking outdoors. You and your therapist meet at a designated location and walk together while engaging in the same evidence-based work you’d do in a traditional office setting.
Research shows that bilateral movement — the left-right rhythm of walking — can reduce cortisol, lower defensiveness, and make it easier to access and process difficult emotions. Combined with fresh air and a change of scenery, many clients find they open up more naturally and feel less “on the spot” than in a traditional setting.
At Spring Grove Counseling, Walk & Talk sessions are offered by licensed therapists trained in modalities including EMDR and IFS — the same clinical depth, just a different container.
Your Walk & Talk therapist is Heidi Grover or Alicia Horn. Read a little about each of them to see who feels like the right fit.
This might be right for you if…
01
Restless in sessions
You find it hard to sit still, or traditional office environments feel constraining and clinical.
02
Avoidant or anxious
Eye contact or face-to-face intensity makes it harder for you to access what you’re actually feeling.
03
Loves the outdoors
Nature is already a grounding resource for you, and you want that integrated into your healing.
04
Processing stress & anxiety
You’re working through generalized anxiety, life transitions, or stress and want a somatic component.
05
Wanting something different
You’ve done talk therapy before and want a format that feels less formal and more embodied.
06
Existing Spring Grove clients
You’re already working with one of our therapists and want to try an outdoor session format.
the process
How it works
Schedule a consultation
New clients start with a free 15-minute phone or video consult to discuss whether Walk & Talk is a good fit given your goals, current treatment needs, and physical abilities. Existing clients, just bring it up with your therapist at your next session.
We handle the logistics
Your therapist will share the meeting location details, what to wear, and what to expect before your first session. Location is shared privately — we don’t list it publicly to protect the safety and privacy of our clients and therapists.
Meet and walk
You meet your therapist at the agreed location and walk side by side for the duration of your session — typically 50 minutes. The same therapeutic boundaries, confidentiality, and clinical standards apply as in any session.
Walk & Talk works well when…
- You are physically able to walk for 50 minutes on a flat or moderate path
- Your presenting concerns are appropriate for outdoor sessions (anxiety, life transitions, stress, relational issues, processing grief)
- You are in a stable phase of treatment — not in active crisis
- You are comfortable with the possibility of being seen in public during your session
- Weather and outdoor conditions are safe and reasonable
It may not be the right format if…
- You are in acute crisis or require close clinical monitoring
- Mobility limitations make walking difficult or unsafe
- Your treatment involves modalities requiring a private, contained space (some EMDR protocols)
- Privacy in a public outdoor space is a significant concern for you
- Your therapist determines another format better supports your goals at this time
If you’re unsure, we’ll help you figure out the right level of support.
Ready to take the first step?
Schedule a free 15-minute consult to find out if Walk & Talk is right for you. No commitment required — just a conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Walk & Talk therapy covered by insurance?
Walk & Talk sessions are billed the same as standard individual therapy sessions. If your insurance covers outpatient therapy with Spring Grove Counseling, it will typically cover Walk & Talk at the same rate. Contact our office if you have questions about your specific benefits.
What if the weather is bad?
Your therapist will monitor weather conditions and reach out before your session if outdoor conditions are unsafe or uncomfortable. In that case, you’ll have the option to switch to an in-person or virtual session for that day.
Will people hear my session?
Your therapist selects routes and times to minimize foot traffic and maximize privacy. You’ll walk and talk at a conversational volume. While absolute privacy can’t be guaranteed outdoors, the same ethical and confidentiality standards apply as in any session.
Do I need to be athletic or a regular walker?
Not at all. Sessions are conducted at a comfortable, conversational pace — the goal is movement that supports the therapeutic process, not exercise. As long as you are able to walk at a moderate pace for about 50 minutes, you’re a good candidate.
Can I switch between Walk & Talk and office sessions?
Yes. Many clients alternate between formats depending on what they need in a given week. You and your therapist will work together to determine what session format best supports your treatment at any given time.
