11 June 2014

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Therapy: Talking…and Walking

I saw this article in the Lancaster News today, about therapists who take their practice out of the office and onto nearby trails that they can share with clients. I must admit, this is something I’ve given a great deal of thought to over the last few years, and I’m happy I’m not the only one who has considered it.

There are, of course, a number of factors which would need to be worked through before I would ever think of attempting this. One of the advantages of working in an office or clinic is: consistency. Particularly for clients who suffer from anxiety and/or related trauma, a stable environment allows them to focus on their thoughts and feelings and not on flora and fauna, or—lord forbid—uncontrollable variables which may make their focus (and the therapy) less effective (dogs, mosquitos, cyclists).

If anything, the uncontrollable variables presented in a walk-and-talk environment might counteract the progressiveness of the idea. If ever I do contemplate implementing this, it would probably need follow structured (and safe) therapy in a consistent indoor-office framework.

It certainly does give me ideas!