Walk & Talk Therapy & Outdoor Sessions in Great Barrington, MA & the Berkshires
Some Therapy Happens Best Outside
Sitting face to face with a therapist can feel uncomfortable, stiff, or just a little too vulnerable.
Sometimes being inside an office feels too restrictive.
Many people find they feel less on the spot, can relax more and have a different experience with therapy when they can get outside.
Walk & Talk therapy and outdoor sessions let you move freely, breathe easier, connect with nature, and make therapy feel more natural.
Walk & Talk Therapy or Outdoor Sessions Might Be Helpful If You:
Find it easier to open up when you’re not face to face
Feel more like yourself or more comfortable when you’re outside
Feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in your head
Think better or feel more free to express yourself when you’re moving
Find that nature helps you feel calmer, more alive, or more connected to what matters
How It Works
The Berkshires provide a restorative setting for nature-based therapy. The environment is part of the work.
Outdoor sessions can alternate with in-office sessions, and sessions can be structured in different ways. You and your therapist will create a plan for your sessions that support your therapy needs and interests.
Sessions might include:
- walking and talking
- sitting and exploring together
- mindful movement
- somatic or experiential therapy in nature
We bring the same integrative somatic approach to outdoor sessions as we use in the office.
We pay attention to the mind, body, and nervous system; the patterns underneath the stories; and the opportunities for embodied change. We let nature inspire creativity, become a resource for healing, and provide pathways for meaningful change.
Movement Matters is surrounded by paths, trails, and quiet spots. You and your therapist will meet for sessions at the office or at a location in Great Barrington near the office that you choose together.
Outdoor sessions can be part of therapy for many of the concerns we help people with, including trauma, anxiety, life transitions, self-esteem & self-worth, chronic pain, burnout, and a desire to reconnect to creativity.
“Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”
Wallace Stevens
Curious if outdoor therapy is right for you?
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if the weather is bad?
If weather conditions are not suitable for walk & talk or outdoor sessions, we’ll simply meet in the office or by telehealth.
What if I don't feel like being outside for therapy?
That’s completely okay. You always have the choice to move to an in-office session or telehealth.
Do I have to walk? What if I have physical limitations?
Outdoor sessions don’t require sustained walking or even walking at all. You and your therapist might walk, find a nice spot to sit, or mix moving and sitting throughout the session.
The pace, distance, and format are always guided by your comfort, your body, and what makes sense for your therapy. You can slow down, pause, or rest at any time.
Is walk and talk therapy just a way to get exercise? What is the pace of walking sessions?
While many people enjoy and benefit from movement and being outdoors, the purpose of walk & talk sessions isn’t exercise.
Walking, movement, and the natural environment simply become part of the therapeutic process.
Walk & Talk sessions are typically slow to moderately paced. If walking, there may be times when you stop to explore and issues without walking or with other movement.
How private are walk & talk and outdoor sessions?
We choose locations with privacy in mind, but no outdoor setting can guarantee complete confidentiality. If we pass someone you know, we’ll simply keep walking, and your therapist will follow your lead about whether to acknowledge them. Otherwise, you’ll simply look like two people out for a walk.
Your privacy is always important, and we’ll talk through any concerns before meeting outdoors or as they come up.
Should I wear or bring anything special?
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes suited for the location you and your therapist have chosen. Bring extra layers that fit the weather. Feel free to bring a blanket, water bottle, or other items that will make you comfortable.
Can I incorporate outdoor sessions into a Somatic Therapy Intensive?
Outdoor sessions can absolutely be a part of Somatic Therapy Intensives. Depending on the focus of the intensive, time outdoors may become one part of a personalized, immersive therapy experience.