Walk & Talk Therapy: Why Movement Helps Moms Heal
Let’s do a visualization activity (Iknow, I know… “you would say that, Bridget”).
When I say “therapy appointment”, what comes to your mind? Plain walls? Lots of framed pictures of trees and sappy quotes? Or maybe just your computer and the seance-esque experience of saying “CAN YOU HEAR ME?” back and forth for the first 2 minutes? Or maybe it’s the feeling of being watched for a full hour while you fidget in your chair. cringe
Girl. I’m about to rock your world.
Did you know that therapy doesn’t have to happen on a couch? No diss to couches. I love a good cozy session but also… no one can beat Mother Nature when it comes to healing. Think back on the last time that you spent a chunk of time in nature. I’m going to guess that you noticed that it was easier for you to think through something hard, or for you to talk, or maybe it just felt really friggin good to be breathing fresh air and moving. For many Moms, healing comes more naturally when we’re moving our bodies and connecting with nature. That’s where Walk & Talk Therapy comes in—a simple but powerful way to combine conversation, movement, and the calming effects of the outdoors.
What Is Walk & Talk Therapy?
Walk & Talk Therapy is exactly what it sounds like: therapy sessions that take place while walking together outdoors. Instead of sitting inside, we walk at a comfortable pace and allow the flow of movement to support the flow of conversation. We take in nature, we learn to pause with her, we absorb Vitamin D, and we release control.
For Moms who are already juggling so much— the mental load of schedules and planning, sleepless nights, and constant caregiving for everyone but ourselves—this approach allows you to put ALL ofyour wellbeing at the center of attention.
The Mind Body Connection
Movement isn’t just good for the body—it directly benefits the brain and nervous system. There is a reason why pilgrimages, contemplative walking practices, and exercise have been celebrated and time honored practices of all ancient societies and religions; movement in nature allows us to process difficult emotions, come up with solutions to hard challenges, and connect back to our values. Research shows that walking can:
- Reduce cortisol (the stress hormone)
- Improve our mood by boosting serotonin and endorphins
- Support emotional regulation
- Increase creativity and problem-solving
For Moms dealing with anxiety or overwhelm, movement helps shake loose some of that “stuck” energy and makes space for calmer, clearer thinking. For Moms who are feeling hopeless, depressed, and unattached, walking and being in nature helps to increase thedrop down of those “happy hormones”. And for Moms who have endured the feeling of being trapped in their own body, feeling shut down, or disconnected due to trauma, nature gives us a sense of expansiveness, connection, and presence. In other words, Walk and Talk therapy is for Moms regardless of what you are going through.
An Unexpected Benefit
Have you ever had a really difficult challenge that you just can’t seem to work through? Or an emotion that just won’t give you a break? Try as you might when you sit with it, those feelings can stay stuck. Walking is a form of bilateral stimulation, which is a process in which both hemispheres of our brain come online at the same time. This allows us to think and feel through difficult situations without becoming overwhelmed. Solutions can naturally come through, we can find a new sense of compassion or resolve for ourselves, and we walk away feeling like we have made progress.
The Healing Power of Nature
I’m not here to knock western medication- that absolutely has it’s place. But I think that we often forget the healing capabilities of nature, especially in the postpartum period.
Life after baby moves at a rapid pace and our old coping strategies quickly get replaced with sheer survival instincts. Being outdoors adds another layer of healing. It brings us back into our body and allows us to absorb fresh air, sunlight, and even the simple act of noticing trees or birds. All of this can signal to your nervous system that you are safe. Nature helps us slow down, shift perspective, and feel more grounded—something most Moms deeply crave.
What to Expect in a Walk & Talk Session
Ok so at this point, you might be saying “Cool, cool Bridget. This sounds neat BUTTTT I have some questions, namely, how the heck does this work?” If you’ve never tried outdoor therapy, here’s what it looks like:
- It’s confidential and supportive: I work with my Clients to identify quiet trails during times of the day when most people are at work. We talk in advance about where to meet and what to do if we end up running into your Uncle or neighboron the trail. Everything you share is still private.
- Your pace: Don’t panic. I’m not taking you on a death march up a hill. We are walking at a pace that feels comfortable for you and is set by you on mostly flat trails.
- Blend of talking and pausing: Sometimes words come more easily in motion. This is one of the beauties that I have found about walk and talk therapy; solutions become clearer, emotions become unstuck, and things naturally flow out of us. And sometimes there are natural pauses. Sometimes it’s in the intentional slowing down and noticing the sounds of the woods or the ocean or the creek that we find a sense of presence.
- Weather flexibility: I ♥ nature. AND, I don’t love hiking in the rain. So if the weather isn’t ideal, sessions can move indoors or online.
Why I think you will love this:
Many Moms find Walk & Talk Therapy especially helpful because:
- It feels less formal than sitting in an office.
- It allows you to finally have sometime for yourself in a beautiful setting.
- It provides both emotional and physical benefits in the same hour.
- It allows Moms to return to their home life feeling more regulated and ready to take on the week ahead.
Walk & Talk Therapy offers a gentle, restorative way to care for both your mind and body. If you’re a mom looking for therapy that feels grounding, refreshing, and tailored to your real-life needs, this may be the perfect fit.
✨I offer Walk & Talk Therapy in Santa Clara County, California, for moms who want to heal anxiety, release stress, and reconnect with themselves. Book a free consultation to see if it’s right for you.
