Walk and Talk Therapy

Feeling restricted by her office-bound clinical practice, licensed clinical social worker Jen Udler decided to take therapy outdoors. Walking on local nature trails with her clients proved to be the breakthrough Jen was looking for. The calming presence of nature provided a rich and varied backdrop for every therapy session, offering natural metaphors for each client’s experience, while the rhythmic movement cultivated deeper connections between mind and body. Walking side by side also deepened the interactions between Jen and her clients, empowering her to gently guide them forward on their path through one season and into the next.

In Walk and Talk Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to Incorporating Movement and Nature into Your Practice, Jen presents the many benefits of an outdoor, movement-based psychotherapy practice and provides tools for clinicians to develop their own version, no matter where or with whom they practice. The book is organized into four parts, each corresponding with a season of the year that serves as a metaphor for our adaptability in the face of life’s constant changes.

Inside, you’ll find answers for your questions about how to take your therapy practice outside, including:

• Advice on foundational concerns such as ethics and safety
• Tips to preserve confidentiality in an open and public setting
• Practical considerations like timing, note taking, and the inherent unpredictability of the great outdoors
• Client stories, from inspiring breakthrough moments to spontaneous encounters leading to poignant illustrations of growth
• A roadmap for crafting a holistic sensory experience to aid your therapeutic work

As you read, you’ll learn how the connection between natural conditions at various times of year may parallel the moods and mindsets you encounter in your clients. Learn how you can harness the unique beauty of each passing season to help your clients discover a healing sense of direction and meaning.