[nottrustin]

Has anybody gone for a walk with you therapist during therapy? When I got to my appointment today she mentioned she had gone for a walk with the client before me. I said something like walks could be good. She said she is always up for a walk (she is a runner). Then we just naturally changed the subject but I am thinking about bringing it up next week.

I have always thought about asking both Ts about this but but thought they would never agree to it.

Here are my questions for those who have gone what was the appointment about? Were the discussions less intense than normal, was it awkward, what happens of you start getting upset? I sort of fear that it would be one way for me to be distracted and avoid emotions but also wonder of it would seem more of a normal conversation so maybe easier to being up some topics I am struggling with.

[susannahsays]

I don't go on walks with the therapist. However, when C was inpatient for more than 3 months when she was 16 and there was a psychologist specializing in trauma that would come visit maybe 3x/week, that's how they met. They always took walks. The psychologist was trying to prod about CSA, so I would say that the discussions were not less intense.

[Misterpain]

Originally Posted by nottrustin

Has anybody gone for a walk with you therapist during therapy? When I got to my appointment today she mentioned she had gone for a walk with the client before me. I said something like walks could be good. She said she is always up for a walk (she is a runner). Then we just naturally changed the subject but I am thinking about bringing it up next week.


I have always thought about asking both Ts about this but but thought they would never agree to it.


Here are my questions for those who have gone what was the appointment about? Were the discussions less intense than normal, was it awkward, what happens of you start getting upset? I sort of fear that it would be one way for me to be distracted and avoid emotions but also wonder of it would seem more of a normal conversation so maybe easier to being up some topics I am struggling with.

You'll probably blanch when I say this ,but I have not only gone for walks , I have met for coffee and gone target shooting .

My mom was big into the important things , walking in the ain stomping in puddles and rolling around leaf piles . Walking is an excellent avenue for intensive trauma therapy , your not limited to a single office space (As feeling it's a safe space ), the scenery is constantly changing spontaneously ( look at the basis of EMDR Keeping the eyes moving during traumatic recall ) meeting your T for an "ordinary" human social activity (helps to keep your expectations realistic of what to expect ) fresh air and walking are positive self care activities ( some have problems being nice to themselves , baby steps towards good self care ) plenty of privacy if you become a hot mess of emotions during session,real world experience at "keeping it together" when you are closer to coming apart ( people ignore each other or mind there business generaly in public ),there's tons of healthy reasons to incorporate "non traditional " therapy sessions into your routine ,don't be afraid to ask or try something (1 session if you don't like it ,isn't a sacrifice) .

I could talk for hours about potential gains ,however I am a big mouth and trying to shut up .

[HowDoYouFeelMeow?]

Not yet in 8 years, but probably soon. Maybe in nature this week with T-in-training. Regular T recently brought up going for a walk around the building when I start to dissociate and I’m on board with it.

Sunny think my T is big into walking in general lol

[ExCore]

I've taken walks will all therapists I've had (three). With the first one, we even went traveling to the mountains for about a week.
I'm quite skeptical about therapists that have really strict boundaries. Therapy is about learning to build relationships and artificial boundaries don't make any good for it.
I'd definitely advice bringing this topic again and seeing how you will feel about going for a walk.

[LonesomeTonight]

Once in marriage counseling, I was having a panic attack and wanted to step out for a few minutes to the bathroom. Ex-MC suggested that instead, we all walk together outside around the courtyard (it's a pretty big area). It actually really helped, the fresh air, not feeling like he and H were sitting there staring at me. We did that one other time, I think. I also did that with ex-T once, but not for too long (I don't think she was really dressed for walking--she tended to wear high heels). I do wonder if current T would ever be open to that. I'm sure he'd be fine with the physical exercise part of it, but I suspect he might be concerned about privacy stuff, too.

[nottrustin]

I have thought about the privacy aspect. It is unlikely we will run into anybody I know because we are about 40 miles from my home but one never knows. I suspect it we could easily run into somebody she knows. She has been a T in that city for 12 years and at one point she lived there.

It is in the heart of the city and in the middle of a heavy tourist area. Don't know if we would be able to go to a more secluded area.

[Omers]

I have never gone for a walk with any of my T’s. I did have one T that would drive me home and we went out to eat together once. No pressure to talk about anything. More than anything she just wanted to help me feel safe. With her it didn’t work, she never became safe.

I don’t know if current T would go for a walk simply because of his location (busy area of town). If he were in a quieter location I know he would really enjoy having that option with his clients. Because he always wants me to feel safe and comfortable no matter what we are talking about I think anything would be possible for discussion.

[SlumberKitty]

No, I've never been on a walk with any of my T's. I think the office locations have made it less practical.

[velcro003]

I doubt it would happen w my regular T. We are right downtown and the chance of either of us knowing someone is high. I also don’t think i could talk about really serious stuff while walking.

I did go on walks while inpatient though. Those were nice.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by Misterpain

You'll probably blanch when I say this ,but I have not only gone for walks , I have met for coffee and gone target shooting .

My mom was big into the important things , walking in the ain stomping in puddles and rolling around leaf piles . Walking is an excellent avenue for intensive trauma therapy , your not limited to a single office space (As feeling it's a safe space ), the scenery is constantly changing spontaneously ( look at the basis of EMDR Keeping the eyes moving during traumatic recall ) meeting your T for an "ordinary" human social activity (helps to keep your expectations realistic of what to expect ) fresh air and walking are positive self care activities ( some have problems being nice to themselves , baby steps towards good self care ) plenty of privacy if you become a hot mess of emotions during session,real world experience at "keeping it together" when you are closer to coming apart ( people ignore each other or mind there business generaly in public ),there's tons of healthy reasons to incorporate "non traditional " therapy sessions into your routine ,don't be afraid to ask or try something (1 session if you don't like it ,isn't a sacrifice) .

I could talk for hours about potential gains ,however I am a big mouth and trying to shut up .

thank you it makes a lot of sense. I don't have an issue with you and T goong for coffee and target shooting. T had a lot of loose boundaries. We did a lot of things that would be considered unethical but it worked for us.

We go on many walks. Its easier for me to talk. Discussions are usually even better than when we sit down.

[GeekyOne]

We went for a walk once. It was nice... and hard. I liked doing something with her, but I also struggled to talk about anything of substance outside the safety of her office.

The weather is nice this week. I was thinking of suggesting to her that we walk - but there is construction going on outside her office. There's a building going up where once there was a place to walk.

[koru_kiwi]

ex-T and i did quite a few 'walking sessions' (walking along the beach, going to a local park, or along the waterfront in the city) over the years i was working with him and we have continued to catch up and do a few walks in our local area since i ended therapy with him. the sessions that involved walks were always considered 'lighter' sessions for me and more about helping to build and maintain a therapeutic connection and build trust with my T instead of doing intense therapy or trauma work. so privacy never felt to be an issue for me to worry about when we had those kind of sessions. it was nice to have those kind of sessions once in a while to have a break from and help take the edge off of dealing with serious, challenging, dark, or depressing themes that were being addressed in therapy much of the time.

[Under*Over]

No. And I wouldnt be comfortable with it right now. But I dont think it is likely to happen at my new practice, its all in one building on a road with a ton of construction. There just wouldnt be anywhere to walk. Plus the therapists there are all sorta formulaic (lots of CBT) with their therapy. The last practice I was at was better set up for walks. I sorta miss that.

[sophiebunny]

I had a therapist that would take a part (I have DID) to the park and push her on a swing. After that, I want my therapy in an office with a couch, potted plants, and nondescript art on the walls.

We did twice. I would like to do so again.