We are all aware of the benefits of exercising regularly, for our physical wellbeing. No one could deny how good it feels to ‘get something off your chest’, whether it be chatting to a girlfriend over a coffee, or offloading to a counsellor.
New York social worker, Clay Cockrell, has decided to ‘take his therapy off the couch and into the great outdoors’. A new kind of mental health treatment is being trialled that combines traditional talk therapy with physical exercise.
Cockrell is concerned that antidepressants are taking away business from talk therapy. A recent study found that less than 15 per cent of patients had an effective amount of follow up treatment after starting medication.
There is an added bonus in this ‘walk and talk therapy’ and that’s the exercise. For people who find it difficult to exercise, talking seems to help divert their attention from the physical activity. Research has shown that even a light stroll helps diminish bad moods and relieve pain. Although it’s not for everyone, those who embrace this therapy say it combines fitness and healing, with some fun and fresh air!
It is widely known that exercise can boost serotonin levels, thus improving mood. Supporters of the combined walking and talking approach, advocate that being active during the session helps patients to relax and open up. In fact, for those trivia buffs, in the late 1800’s Freud walked with his patients through the streets of Vienna.
Some patients can become anxious when confronting difficult issues in a traditional face-to–face setting, but walking with visual and verbal distractions can make for easier engagement.
“It’s very similar to traditional psychotherapy,” says Cockrell, “except you are walking while you are talking about issues. I have found that bringing a little movement enriches the counselling session. My clients are intrigued by the idea and are naturally drawn to being outside.”
