Walk and Talk Therapy Perth
Psychological therapy conducted outdoors, combining conversation with walking in a natural setting.
Psychological therapy in an outdoor setting
Walk & Talk therapy involves conducting psychological sessions while walking outdoors. It offers an alternative to consulting-room appointments for people who prefer movement, being outside, or having conversations while walking side by side.
I offer a limited number of Walk & Talk appointments in selected outdoor locations around Perth. These are psychological therapy sessions, using the same clinical approaches and professional standards as my consulting-room work. The suitability of this format is considered individually.
Why Walk & Talk?
The setting in which therapy takes place can influence how people engage in the process.
Some people find that walking alongside another person feels more comfortable than sitting face to face. Movement may help with concentration, reflection or working through difficult thoughts and emotions. Being outdoors can also provide opportunities to notice and engage with the surrounding environment.
These experiences vary between individuals. Walk & Talk is not necessarily more effective than consulting-room therapy, nor is it suitable for every person or every therapeutic task.
The intention is to offer another way of engaging in psychological work, where the combination of movement, conversation and the outdoor environment is appropriate to the person's needs.
What happens during a session?
The psychological work remains central to the appointment. We might explore current difficulties, consider patterns in thinking and behaviour, review therapeutic strategies or work towards agreed treatment goals, just as we would in a consulting room.
The difference is the setting.
Walking side by side allows conversation to unfold while moving through the outdoor environment. At times, elements of the surroundings may also be incorporated into reflection or therapeutic exercises, where relevant.
There is no expectation that you need to walk quickly, maintain a particular fitness level or use the outdoor setting in a particular way.
Is Walk & Talk suitable for me?
Suitability depends on your individual circumstances, the nature of the psychological work and any relevant physical or practical considerations.
Some discussions and therapeutic interventions may be better suited to the privacy and structure of a consulting room or telehealth appointment. We can consider these factors together when planning your treatment.
How does it work?
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How does it work? *
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Walk & Talk appointments are currently offered twice daily on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, at set times.
These appointment times are separate from my consulting-room availability, so Walk & Talk may sometimes be available sooner than an in-person consulting-room appointment.
Current availability can vary, so please check the Contact page for the most up-to-date information.
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Your first step is booking an initial appointment, either online or in the consulting room. This session allows us to meet, ask questions, and decide together whether WaTT is a good fit for you. If so, we’ll also make a plan for your first outdoor session.
You can also have a read of our WaTT Policy
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Walk and Talk sessions are $250.00 per session.
To access Medicare rebates, speak with your GP about a Mental Health Care Plan and whether WaTT is suitable.Alternatively, sessions can be billed privately or claimed through private health insurance, depending on your cover.
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The usual Walk & Talk route is a flat circuit of approximately 4.5 km and the appointment takes approximately 60 minutes at a moderate pace. There are no toilet facilities along the route, so please keep this in mind when deciding whether Walk & Talk will suit you. If you have mobility, accessibility or other practical needs, we can discuss these before your appointment.
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I’ll provide the Walk & Talk location details when we arrange your appointment. If you have any accessibility or mobility needs, we can discuss these beforehand to make sure the walk is suitable for you.
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If it’s cold or wet, you’re welcome to bundle up and still head out, or we can switch your appointment to an online session if that feels more comfortable.
In hot weather, bring water and a hat, or again, opt for online.
As Walk & Talk appointments are offered at limited times, it isn’t usually possible to substitute another Walk & Talk session that week if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Interested in the thinking behind Walk & Talk therapy?
I’ve written more about movement, the outdoor setting and the different therapeutic experience of walking side-by-side on the Blog
Curious about how walking can support emotional wellbeing?
You're welcome to explore my free resource Walk & Reflect: A Mini Guide to Moving Through Emotion. It's a companion for anyone navigating stress, overwhelm, or change, offering simple walking prompts and reflective tools drawn from nature-based therapy. You can view the guide by clicking the link, or download it to take with you on your next walk.