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Walk and Talk Nature Based Therapy

Two people walking on a forest trail during a nature-based therapy session in Seattle

Take Your Therapy Outdoors

Man sitting in a field having a grounding therapy session outdoors
Woman sitting on the beach during a nature based therapy session in Seattle.

Explore the Grounding and Restorative Power of Nature to Deepen Your Therapy Experience.

​Sometimes, sitting in a therapy office just doesn’t feel right. Maybe you process thoughts more easily when you’re moving, or you find it hard to settle into deep conversations while feeling “on the spot” in a traditional setting. Walk-and-talk and nature-based therapy offer a different way to engage in the therapeutic process—one that invites movement, fresh air, and the calming presence of the natural world.

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I currently offer Walk and Talk therpay and nature based therapy in Seattle, Washington. These sessions are held in a peaceful setting with both wooded trails and waterfront views. Our sessions might include gentle walking, moments of stillness, grounding exercises, or even elements of somatic and EMDR therapy, depending on your needs. The natural environment can help regulate your nervous system, reduce overwhelm, and enhance the therapeutic process in meaningful ways

Why Take Therapy Outdoors?

There’s something about walking side by side or being in an open space that makes talking about life’s challenges feel a little easier. Movement can help loosen the mind’s grip on worries, and nature itself can be a powerful grounding force, helping you feel more connected and present.

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Some benefits of walk-and-talk or nature-based therapy include:

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  • A more relaxed, organic way to explore thoughts and emotions

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  • The rhythmic movement of walking, which can support nervous system regulation

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  • A sense of spaciousness—both physically and emotionally—when working through stuck or difficult feelings

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  • The chance to connect with your body in a way that isn’t always possible in a seated session

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  • A shift in perspective and clarity, inspired by the natural environment

What to Expect

Walk-and-talk therapy is just that—we walk and talk at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Some sessions might involve walking the whole time, while others might include pausing to sit in a peaceful spot, taking in the surroundings, and allowing time for deeper reflection.

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Nature-based therapy can take on different forms. It may be as simple as integrating breathwork or mindfulness exercises into our time outside, or it might include more intentional engagement with nature—such as using the surroundings as metaphors for your inner experiences, noticing how your body responds to different environments, or allowing stillness and observation to guide the conversation.

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These sessions incorporate elements of somatic awareness, polyvagal principles, and mindfulness, offering a full-body approach to healing and self-discovery.

Is it Right for You?

Walk-and-talk or nature-based therapy can be a great fit if you:

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  • Feel stuck or disconnected and want a fresh approach to therapy

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  • Experience anxiety, stress, or depression and find that movement or being outside helps

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  • Prefer side-by-side conversations rather than sitting face-to-face in an office

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  • Want to explore therapy in a way that feels less formal and more fluid

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  • Feel drawn to nature, mindfulness, or somatic work as part of your healing journey

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You don’t need to be super active or have hiking experience to benefit from this approach—it’s about finding a rhythm that feels supportive for you.

A woman walking in the forest during a walk and talk therapy session in Seattle.

EMDR and Nature Based Therapy

Nature can be a powerful ally in the healing process. While traditional EMDR therapy is typically done in an office setting, certain phases of EMDR—especially resourcing, grounding, and nervous system regulation—can be enhanced by being outdoors.

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In nature-based EMDR sessions, we might:

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  • Use natural surroundings to strengthen resourcing and stabilization (e.g., visualizing the steady presence of a tree as an anchor for inner stability).

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  • Engage in walk-and-talk sessions to help regulate the nervous system and build readiness for deeper processing.

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  • Incorporate bilateral stimulation through gentle movement, self-tapping, or hand-held tappers while seated in a peaceful outdoor space.

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  • Focus on mindfulness and somatic awareness, using nature as a supportive environment for tuning into bodily sensations and emotions.

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For reprocessing deeper traumatic memories, structured EMDR sessions with controlled bilateral stimulation will still take place indoors. However, if you feel drawn to integrating nature into your healing work, we can explore ways to blend the two approaches in a way that best supports your process.

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Learn more about EMDR here.

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If you're curious about how EMDR and nature-based therapy might work for you, reach out to learn more!

Curious to Learn More?

If you're curious about walk-and-talk therapy in Seattle or want to explore how nature-based psychotherapy might support your healing, reach out for a free consultation. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and let’s see what therapy can look like when we step outside the traditional setting.

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