FAQS for Walk & Talk Counselling Service

How do we maintain confidentiality whilst being out and about and possibly around other people?

It is true that in Walk & Talk Counselling, we don’t have the privacy of four walls within which private things can be shared.  However, it’s my experience that privacy can be managed whilst out walking in a number of ways. 

For example, if passing people on the path, it is possible to pause talking for a moment and to slow down or speed up, to pass by more easily. My experience with this is that it might feel clunky the first session, but we soon get into a rhythm with it. 

If you are a very private person and you find it feels uncomfortable to you, it might be that counselling in the comfort of an indoor room might suit you better.  It’s different for different people.

What happens if people stop to talk to us?

If people say “Hello”, then I generally say “Hello” back and keep moving on.  You don’t have to say anything – this is something I take care of.  If people stop to talk, which is unusual in my experience, I will say something like “I’m sorry, we won’t stop to talk right now.  Have a nice day.”  And we will move on.  Again, this is something I will take care of.  It is my job to protect the therapeutic space, as far as is possible outside.

That said, the circumstances of the therapy are less in my control when we are outside, than if we are indoors.  Some people feel the added benefits of being outside in nature are worth the slight risk of interruption.

What happens if there are dogs about?

Mostly dogs will walk on past but some may come up to say ‘hello’.  Usually, they will wag their tails, have a sniff and then pass on.  If they don’t, then I will ask the owner to help and explain that we are going to move on our way, without saying what we are doing.

What if we meet someone who knows one of us?

If we meet someone who knows me, then I will say “I’m sorry, I can’t stop to talk right now.”  And we can move on. 

We can discuss what to do if we meet someone who knows you in our assessment session together, before we go out for our first outdoor session.  I can help you to work out what you would want to say in these circumstances.  I will never let anyone we meet know that we are out for a counselling session.

Will people know that I am having counselling?

It’s very unlikely that they will.  People go out walking all the time and have conversations whilst they go.  Even if there are people who know what I do and recognise me, no one will know whether you are a client or a friend, as I walk regularly when I am not providing counselling sessions.

What do we do in bad weather?

I am happy to be out in any weather, as long as it is safe and sensible to do so.  However, I am happy to be guided by your preference on the day.  If you prefer to be indoors, we can schedule our session to be by video call instead, although we may have to change the time.  Please let me know by text first thing in the morning.

The circumstances where it may not be safe or sensible to be outside are in high winds when there is a danger of branches falling from trees, or if one of us has a health issue that would be better served by being indoors.  Usually, we will meet outdoors, unless we have had messages to the contrary beforehand.

Do you offer this all year round?

I do offer this service all year round.  It’s my experience that there are many benefits to being outdoors during the colder months.  For some people who suffer from depression in the winter, it can make a real difference to their mood.

Can I try it and change my mind if I don’t like it?

Yes, I am always happy for us to try an outdoor session to see if you like it, and for you to make a different decision if you find it doesn’t suit you. 

Do I need special clothes to be outdoors in?

I always say to dress for the weather.  If you are happy being out in wet weather, then I would recommend dressing in waterproof shoes, jacket and possibly trousers too.  If it is very cold, warm clothes are necessary.  And if it is hot and sunny, you might want to wear sunscreen.  However, the path is quite shady so you might feel it’s not necessary.

How far do we walk?

Sessions are 50 minutes, so we walk out from the beginning of the path for 25 minutes, and then turn around and walk back.  This means that we can walk at any pace that feels comfortable for us, and there is no pressure to get anywhere in a particular time. 

Can I bring my baby/toddler in a buggy or pram or in a sling?

I welcome mothers and fathers with their babies under 1 years old to Walk & Talk sessions, in order to enable them to receive support whilst caring for a little one.  This is dependent on whether baby is happy enough whilst out walking.  Sometimes the only way to know is to give it a go and see if it works in your circumstances.  Some paths may not be suitable for a buggy, but we may be able to choose a route that is.

Can I bring my dog?

No, I’m sorry, pets can be a distraction in counselling, so they need to be left at home.

Are there toilets nearby?

That will depend on where we choose to walk. If that’s a concern, we can take that into account when choosing where we walk.