Walk and Talk Therapy Newcastle

Walk and talk therapy is exactly what it sounds like — counselling that happens while you walk, outdoors, side by side with your therapist. Rather than sitting in a clinic, you move through natural environments like parks, beaches, and bush tracks. At Good Chat Counselling, we offer walk and talk therapy in and around Newcastle, and we're passionate about making it accessible to people across NSW, VIC, and QLD through our telehealth outdoor therapy model.

What the Research Says

Walk and talk therapy isn't just a preference — it's backed by a growing body of clinical evidence. Research published in the journal Ecopsychology found that nature-based therapy significantly reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to traditional indoor settings. A 2019 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that "green exercise" — physical activity in natural environments — reduces cortisol levels and improves mood more effectively than exercise indoors. Stanford University researchers found that walking in nature reduces activity in the brain's subgenual prefrontal cortex, an area associated with rumination and depressive thinking. The British Journal of Sports Medicine has also shown that outdoor physical activity has a measurable positive effect on mental health outcomes, reinforcing the clinical case for walk and talk approaches. For clients who feel uncomfortable in clinical settings, or who find it hard to open up when sitting face-to-face, the side-by-side nature of walking can reduce the perceived pressure of a therapy session.

Who Is Walk and Talk Therapy For?

Walk and talk therapy is particularly well-suited for people dealing with anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, grief, men who find traditional therapy settings uncomfortable, young people and adolescents, and anyone who simply prefers being active and outdoors. It can also complement telehealth sessions for clients across VIC and QLD who want to incorporate outdoor movement into their mental health routine.

What to Expect

Sessions typically take place in parks, coastal walks, or bushland near Newcastle. Your counsellor will walk alongside you at a comfortable pace. The session follows the same therapeutic structure as an indoor appointment — with the added benefit of nature and movement. Sessions are confidential, and your counsellor will select quiet, private routes. If weather or accessibility is a concern, sessions can be adapted to a seated outdoor location or shifted online.

Who are we

To learn more about the team behind good chat, click here.

Book a Walk and Talk Session

Ready to try something different? Walk and talk therapy could be the approach that finally makes therapy feel natural for you. Call 1300 181 992, email hello@goodchatcounselling.com.au, or book online today.