Walk & Talk Therapy
Walk and Talk Therapy is an outdoor-based therapeutic approach that integrates movement and nature into the counselling process. Sessions are conducted while walking in a calm, natural environment, supporting emotional regulation, reflection, and open dialogue.
Sessions involve you and your therapist, with the optional inclusion of Emmie, our therapy companion, who may join to provide additional grounding and comfort.
This service is available to clients located in Melbourne, VIC.
Session Structure
Sessions are 50–60 minutes in duration.
We meet at a pre-arranged public outdoor location.
The pace of walking is guided by your comfort level.
If preferred, we can pause, sit, or remain stationary at any time.
Therapeutic goals, interventions, and reflections remain consistent with traditional counselling practices.
Prior to commencing Walk and Talk Therapy, we will discuss whether this format is clinically appropriate for your needs, presentation, and goals.
Walk and Talk Therapy offers a gentle shift from the traditional therapy room into the natural world. We walk side by side, allowing conversation to unfold at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive for you.
Sessions run for 50–60 minutes and follow the same therapeutic depth and structure as in-room counselling. The only difference is the environment. Movement can often help thoughts flow more freely, soften intensity, and support nervous system regulation.
We choose a location together, and you are always welcome to slow down, pause, sit, or stop walking at any point. This is your space, your pace.
Before beginning, we will have a collaborative conversation to ensure this format feels clinically appropriate and aligned with your goals.
Walk and Talk Therapy follows the same therapeutic framework as in-room counselling, with the addition of gentle movement and outdoor engagement.
How Walk and Talk Therapy Works
Confidentiality & Ethical Practice
Your privacy, safety, and dignity remain central to our work together.
Walk and Talk Therapy is conducted in accordance with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Practice. While confidentiality remains a core commitment, being in a public outdoor setting naturally requires additional care and awareness.
Because we are outside:
We may pass members of the public.
If others come within hearing distance, we may gently pause our conversation.
If we see someone you know, I will not acknowledge you unless you choose to do so first.
These considerations will be discussed during informed consent so you can make a grounded, empowered decision about this format.
All clinical records are securely stored in line with professional and legal requirements. Duty of care responsibilities — including risk assessment and mandatory reporting — remain exactly the same as they would in a traditional therapy setting.
If at any time Walk and Talk Therapy does not feel safe, private, or supportive, we can transition to in-room sessions
When Emmie Is Part of the Session
Emmie, our gentle therapy companion, may join our walk if you would like her presence. Her role is to offer quiet companionship and grounding support.
Her involvement is always:
Optional
Discussed and consented to beforehand
Guided by what feels most helpful for you
If you have allergies, fears, cultural considerations, or simply prefer a dog-free session, she will not attend.
Emmie remains under my supervision at all times. If her presence becomes distracting or no longer supportive to the therapeutic process, she will be removed from the session.
Her role is to complement the work - not replace it - offering moments of softness when needed.
Locations We May Use
Locations are thoughtfully chosen to balance privacy, safety, and accessibility. These may include:
Quiet local parks
Botanical gardens
Coastal or lakeside paths (weather permitting)
Low-traffic walking trails with seating options
We prioritise spaces that feel calm, spacious, and not densely populated. Meeting points are confirmed in advance, and accessibility needs are always considered.
Weather, Safety & Practical Considerations
Sessions may be rescheduled in extreme weather conditions (heat, storms, heavy rain).
Comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
You are encouraged to bring water.
If at any time you feel physically unwell or fatigued, we can pause or modify the session.
Your physical and psychological safety remains the priority.
To support comfort and safety:
Please wear appropriate footwear and weather-suitable clothing.
Bring water if needed.
Sessions may be rescheduled in extreme weather conditions.
We can pause, sit, or modify the session at any time if you feel physically tired or emotionally overwhelmed.
Your wellbeing - both physical and psychological - remains the priority.
Is Walk and Talk Therapy Right for You?
Is This Approach Right for You?
Walk and Talk Therapy can be particularly supportive if you:
Feel more comfortable side by side rather than face to face
Notice you think more clearly while moving
Experience anxiety in enclosed spaces
Feel connected to nature
Are navigating grief, life transitions, stress, or emotional overwhelm
If you are unsure, we can gently explore whether this format feels aligned for you during your initial session.
At The Calm Studios, therapy is always collaborative. Together, we find the setting that best supports your healing.