Walk and Talk Therapy: The Science Behind Counselling in the Open Air
There's something about moving through nature that makes it easier to talk. If you've ever had a meaningful conversation on a walk, you already understand the instinct behind walk and talk therapy. But what does the research actually say?
What Is Walk and Talk Therapy?
Walk and talk therapy — sometimes called outdoor therapy or ecotherapy — is a form of counselling conducted while walking in a natural environment. Rather than sitting across from a therapist in an office, you move together through a park, bushland, or open space while engaging in the therapeutic process.
At Good Chat Counselling, we offer walk and talk sessions as part of our activity-based counselling approach, recognising that movement and nature can be powerful catalysts for insight and healing.
What the Research Shows
The evidence for walk and talk therapy is compelling — and growing.
A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that outdoor, nature-based therapy significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to standard indoor sessions. Participants also reported higher levels of wellbeing and life satisfaction.
Researchers at Stanford University found that walking in nature reduced rumination — the repetitive negative thinking associated with depression — and decreased activity in the part of the brain linked to mental health risk. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that even a single 90-minute walk in a natural environment can produce measurable psychological benefits.
A review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine further confirmed that physical activity combined with psychological intervention produces superior outcomes for depression compared to either approach alone.
Why Movement Helps
Walking side-by-side — rather than face-to-face — can reduce the intensity of eye contact, making some topics easier to raise. The rhythm of movement also activates bilateral stimulation of the brain, a mechanism used in trauma processing therapies like EMDR. And being outdoors introduces a natural sense of expansiveness that can shift perspective and open up thinking.
Who Is It Good For?
Walk and talk therapy can be particularly effective for:
People who find traditional office environments uncomfortable or triggering
Men who might otherwise avoid counselling
Young people and adolescents
Those dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma
Anyone who wants to incorporate movement into their mental health care
Experience It for Yourself
Good Chat Counselling offers walk and talk sessions in Newcastle and surrounding areas. If you're curious about whether outdoor therapy might work for you, get in touch. Call 1300 181 992 or email hello@goodchatcounselling.com.au.