New paradigms of healing: Introducing Walk and Talk and Tree Sit therapy
The concept of healing inside a therapy room is a new one. For thousands of years the best forms of healing have taken place outdoors in nature, supported by the trees and the vast open sky. A lot of people tell me that starting therapy can feel daunting, and I get it, connecting with a stranger in an enclosed new space is a lot initially and not suited to everyone. This is why I feel passionate about challenging old therapeutic paradigms and including accessible and supportive forms of therapy into my practice.
Enter Walk & Talk and Tree Sit Therapy. These sessions offer the same therapeutic support you’d receive indoors, but they take place outdoors — either walking at your pace or sitting in a peaceful natural setting. Pets are welcome, too, for those who find comfort and support in their company.
Why Walking and Nature Work So Well
1. Bilateral Stimulation & Emotional Processing
Walking engages the left and right hemispheres of the brain through bilateral stimulation — a rhythmic, alternating movement pattern also used in approaches like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) to help process thoughts and emotions. Research suggests that this side-to-side movement can help reduce the emotional intensity of difficult memories and enhance problem-solving.
2. Nature Reduces Stress & Supports Wellbeing
Spending time in nature has measurable effects on our physiology. A study from the University of Michigan found that just 20 minutes in a natural setting can significantly reduce cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This means that by combining therapy with time outdoors, you’re not only talking through challenges — you’re actively helping your body shift into a calmer state.
3. Movement Enhances Creativity & Insight
Stanford University researchers found that walking boosts creative thinking by up to 60%. Being in motion, especially in natural surroundings, can help you see problems from new perspectives, unlock fresh ideas, and generate solutions that might not emerge in a traditional office setting.
Breaking the Barriers of the Therapy Room
While many people benefit from a calm, indoor environment, others find it limiting. Walk & Talk and Tree Sit Therapy remove physical and psychological barriers, creating a sense of openness that can make it easier to speak freely. For some, being side-by-side rather than face-to-face can reduce anxiety and allow for more natural conversation flow.
An Inclusive Space for All Humans
My practice is built on the belief that therapy should be accessible, adaptable, and inclusive. Walk & Talk and Tree Sit Therapy cater to different comfort levels, physical needs, and ways of processing the world. Whether you’re neurodivergent, living with anxiety, navigating grief, managing stress, or simply seeking a new way to connect with yourself, these sessions meet you where you are — literally.
How It Works
In Darwin’s warm climate, Walk & Talk and Tree Sit Therapy sessions are held in the cooler parts of the day — early mornings or late afternoons. You can choose from three beautiful locations: East Point Reserve, George Brown Darwin Botanical Gardens, or the Nightcliff / Rapid Creek Foreshore.
We’ll start with a short Zoom meeting to complete intake paperwork, discuss your goals, and chat through practical details like location choice, pace, and accessibility needs. During sessions, we’ll work at your comfort level — walking or sitting — while keeping an eye on privacy (choosing quieter paths and spots) and being mindful of potential environmental factors.
If this sounds like something that might support you to finally access that therapy you have been wanting, please get in touch- spaces are limited.
References:
Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., & Daily, G. C. (2012). The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1249(1), 118–136.
Oppezzo, M., & Schwartz, D. L. (2014). Give your ideas some legs: The positive effect of walking on creative thinking. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 40(4), 1142–1152.