What to expect from Walk & Talk Therapy

May in Spring is one of my favourite seasons for its visuals. For a few weeks, there’s a steady stream of trees blossoming in vibrant pink petals. First is usually the magnolias, followed by cherries, crabapples, redbuds, and then lilacs. Each have their own luscious dynamism and meaning. I’m especially attuned to Japanese cherry blossoms, aka sakura. Each stage of a blossom’s life span has its mirror in humans, with early closed buds symbolizing our early years, followed by fully opened petals for midlife, and the finale being the loose fallen petals illustrating death. My own skin is covered in cherry blossom ink, and certain aspects of my tattoo represent various people in my life, including my only child (young bud) and my mother (fallen petal).

Spring is also an amazing time for Toronto Walk & Talk sessions in the park, as new life birthing from decay and dormancy becomes an incredibly apt metaphor, and this city experiences each season quite robustly. More formally called Forest Bathing, or shinrin-yoku, time amongst trees, plants, and bodies of water has been proven to increase more than just good vibes. As medical doctor and scientist Qing Li discovered,

“spending time in a forest can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and anger; strengthen the immune system; improve cardiovascular and metabolic health; and boost overall well-being.”

My favourite type of therapy session is outside, in the fresh air, surrounded by trees. I’m extremely lucky to live near a dense, urban forest, and this is where I walk and talk with clients. Being outside invites types of exploration and openness not typically experienced from behind a screen or amongst 4 walls. The flora and fauna in the forest are amazing invitations for discussion. With clients, we’ve seen chipmunks, ducks, mute swan parents and baby cygnets, geese and fluffy goslings, snakes, egrets, turtles, cormorants, hawks, butterflies, and even coyotes. And every time, we pause in awe and interpret what the sighting means for each of us.

Each season provides a unique feeling, from deep, quiet snow around a silver icy pond to the aforementioned waking up of trees covered in petals, to the warm golden hue of a million crunchy fallen leaves. Walk and Talk therapy sessions have their own rhythm and pace, which can include a slow stroll through muddy paths, a grounding exercise at the pond’s edge, or even exploration over and under fallen trees and thick brush. Sometimes it’s a crisp clear day, other times it’s in deep rainpour or thick fog. Every time it’s an adventure into our internal selves.

Due to the nature of the park and often unexpected sights, clients can expect anything from hot weather (bring your sunscreen and water bottle), thick mud (have proper footwear), dark & wet skies (umbrella time), and maybe a mosquito or two (spray yourself down). Sessions can also go over the standard 50 minutes, so give yourself a little extra wiggle room. I’m not one for watching the session clock because we’re there at the invitation of the forest, and she does not rush. Nature is often considered ‘co-therapist’ in forest bathing, and after spending almost an hour amongst the trees, it’s easy to see why.

If you want to explore Walk & Talk therapy sessions with me, we’ll start off with a couple virtual sessions to make sure it’s a good fit, and then I’ll guide us onto the park trails. Whether it’s for formal therapy, or you take the time for yourself to spend it out in nature, you’ll not regret it.