While it may seem intuitive, there are many important factors that you should know before you take your client out in public. In 6 short hours, you can learn all the important details before you take a client outside of the safety of your office and be equipped with the right tools for informed consent, confidentiality and both yours and your clients’ emotional and physical needs.
If you’re like most therapists, then it’s likely crossed your mind to take your client out for a walk.
You know the obvious health benefits… but confidentiality, privacy, liability and other professional issues may have held you back, such as:
- What if my client has an emotional breakdown in public?
- Is there research that supports walking therapy truly benefits clients?
- Will I look unprofessional?
- How do I even introduce this concept to my client?
- What if my client or I encounter someone we know?
As a leading consultant for walking therapists in the U.S., Jennifer Udler, LCSW-C, not only has evidence-based strategies and best practices for these questions and more...
...she has next-step solutions to protect your license and grow your practice!
Walking Therapy is more than meets the eye... you’ll learn how to integrate walk-and-talk strategies that enhance rapport, release body trauma and improve therapeutic outcomes outside or in any setting.
Getting Started as a Walking Therapist: A Step-by-Step Guide
$474.95 ValueJust $149.95 (GST Inclusive) Today — Unbelievable Savings!
Plus, earn 6.0 CPD!
Filled with robust, practical strategies, this course is broken down into easy-to-digest modules and provides practical strategies that you can easily apply in session right away:
- A step-by-step guide for transitioning your clients’ mindset from indoors to outdoors and achieve transformational clinical outcomes while moving
- Specific tools for client screening, informed consent, documentation, billing and more
- Evidence-based strategies on how to incorporate nature therapy, mindfulness and other treatment modalities while walking
- Essential checklists, risk assessments and resources to prepare for your outdoor practice
- Solutions for critical ethical considerations, first aid, finding shelter and other questions you may not have even considered!
Register today - enhance your practice and change how you feel about being a therapist!
“The physical aspect of walking makes my brain work harder and reach conclusions more thoughtfully and quickly. Now, when I am trying to think through something, I automatically walk around to process my thoughts." —Positive Strides Client.
“Jen has helped me frame my concerns, identify solutions, and move on, avoiding the vicious cycle of insecurity that had paralyzed me. I realize now, that at each juncture of my life, no matter how large or how trivial, I have a choice about my reaction and my feelings and that feeling of control and empowerment has changed my life. Jen often pushed me, gently, to a place where I could accept and understand this shift in thinking and I am glad that she did." —Positive Strides client
“Nature, fresh air, sunshine and exercise make me feel better. However, I rarely carve time out for myself to walk. Walking during therapy is a way to improve my body and my mind.” —Positive Strides client
“Working with my therapist at Positive Strides has helped me gain the skills to better cope with my anxiety. When I walked during therapy, I was able to generate new ideas for handling difficult situations. These ideas help me feel as though I have more control and will be really helpful in the future when I am far from home. I think it was easier to make progress in a nature type setting as opposed to an office because I was able to think and talk more freely.” —Positive Strides client
Walk and Talk CPD Training for Therapists
$474.95 ValueJust $149.95 (GST Inclusive) Today — Unbelievable Savings!
Plus, FREE bonus content!
Course Outline
Walking Therapy 101
- What is walking therapy?
- Why practice in this way?
- What are the modalities used to implement outdoor therapy?
- What are the specific benefits of walk and talk?
History, research, and evidence of walk and talk therapy
- History of walk and talk therapy
- Most prominent practitioners: From Freud to Kostrubala
- Research on walk and talk therapy
- Research on nature’s therapeutic effect and the biophilia hypothesis
- Research on physiological response to movement, and how movement effects mood and anxiety levels
Getting started: The Most Important First Steps
- How to screen clients
- How to have critical conversations with clients prior to first sessions
- Confidentiality and how to create your informed consent
- How to shift your mindset from indoors to outdoors
- Maintaining boundaries while outdoors
- 5 necessary therapeutic skills to meet the needs of the client during outdoor sessions
- Case example of how to run an outdoor group therapy session
- Audio session demonstration
How to harness the environment for therapeutic success
- How to maintain your sense of professionalism outside
- Incorporating nature and utilizing mindfulness strategies while walking
- 3 powerful examples of meditation strategies that are effective outside
- Creative and applicable ways to weave nature into the therapeutic process. Nature as a metaphor
- Experience a virtual walk with 5 examples of natural tools to add to your therapy repertoire
- The importance of holding space for client’s emotions in an outdoor environment
- Tips for dealing with challenging scenarios
Putting it All Together: Strategies to Prepare for your outdoor practice
- A checklist to prepare you for your first outdoor session
- Risks and addressing concerns about the weather; including how to handle rescheduling, or finding shelter
- Confronting critical topics related to the ethical questions of a walk and talk practice
- Best practices on scheduling and billing clients
- Managing documentation
- Use of technology in your practice
- Answers to serious questions about first aid, and a safety plan while on the trail
- What walk and talk therapists can contribute to the world. The future of walk and talk therapy
A Client Demonstration Session with Q&A
- Explore the scientific underpinnings of walking-based format of psychotherapeutic treatment and which clients it may be appropriate for
- Develop ethical guidelines and informed consent that include specific considerations for public walking therapy
- Examine the risks and benefits of walking therapy
- Learn the 3 significant factors that are active during walk and talk, combining movement, nature, and therapy
- Learn how to conduct a session while outdoors; including seeing others on the trail, handling the various weather conditions, different terrain, and how to use nature to enhance the effectiveness of the therapy
- Learn 4 specific mindfulness-based strategies that can be used during outdoor and walking therapy
Walk Talk Therapy Training & CPD
$474.95 ValueJust $149.95 (GST Inclusive) Today — Unbelievable Savings!
Plus, FREE bonus content & exclusive offer!
Enrol today and you'll get these FREE bonuses (Total Value: $174.95!)
Unique Consultation Discount
This course includes a special discount just for you! Save $50 on a 50-minute consultation with Jennifer Udler, LCSW-C, on integrating Walk & Talk Therapy into your practice. Learn how to setup, maintain and elevate walking therapy as part of your practice and clinical offerings.
Bonus Content
A digital version of Walk & Talk: Psychotherapy Takes a Stroll. Get an updated, first-hand account on the personal value of Walking Therapy: What is it? How does it work? What are the benefits? And get the inside scoop of what clinicians are missing out by not embracing walking therapy right now.
Free Bonus Module (includes 1 CPD!)
Now, more than ever, clinicians and clients alike are seeking creative alternatives to telehealth. This short video module, Getting off the Couch: How to Incorporate Walking Therapy in your Practice, goes through the ins and outs of walking therapy and addresses: What does it mean as a therapist? What will clients likely experience during a walk and talk session?
Manual
Get a manual to enhance your learning experience and keep forever. Access to the full, downloadable slides from each of the sessions to follow along and keep notes for quick and easy referencing.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Course
Absolutely! Many clinicians have found walking therapy particularly helpful in teenagers and younger clients. This course provides tactical applications for play therapy and incorporating treatment modalities for treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more for kids and teens.
Yes! Each module underscores the science of walking therapy with clinical research combined with actual, relatable case studies to showcase exactly how these concepts and methods work better than traditional models. We’ve also included a timely bonus article that further illustrates a first-hand account of Walking Therapy in contrast to traditional therapy.
No problem! Every course is backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can register without risk!
Meet the Course Expert:
Jennifer Udler, LCSW-C, is the founder of Positive Strides Therapy where she has a full-time walking psychotherapy practice and consulting business.
Jennifer is a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland. She has 20 years of experience treating children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and supportive counselling. Jennifer’s experience includes working with children and adults with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. She received her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania and her BA from Binghamton University. Click here for information about Jennifer Udler.
The Next Steps in Advancing Your Practice
Watch your email for your order confirmation and get instant access to all course materials designed to help you effectively integrate these solutions into your practice and your life. Click here for course objectives and outline.
Review the course materials at your own pace and at your convenience! You'll have unlimited access to all course videos and materials online forever. Plus, use the PESI Mobile app to access the course content on your phone or tablet. Choose video or audio-only versions of online courses from the world's best instructors, and complete your CPD requirements anywhere, anytime, at your own pace.
Instantly collaborate with other professionals on the course materials through interactive message boards. You'll be part of a community of hundreds of practitioners all focused on integrating walking therapy delivery in clinical practice, providing valuable opportunities to share insight and experiences and to build your professional network.
Complete your online CPD tests and earn 6.0 CPD!
Continuing Professional Development Certificates
PESI AU offers quality online continuing professional development events from the leaders in the field at a standard recognised by professional associations including psychology, social work, occupational therapy, alcohol and drug professionals, counselling and psychotherapy. On completion of the training, a Professional Development Certificate is issued after the individual has answered and submitted a quiz and course evaluation.
Continuing Professional Development Certificates
PESI AU offers quality online continuing professional development events from the leaders in the field at a standard recognised by professional associations including psychology, social work, occupational therapy, alcohol and drug professionals, counselling and psychotherapy. On completion of the training, a Professional Development Certificate is issued after the individual has answered and submitted a quiz and course evaluation.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Register without risk! If you're not completely satisfied, email us at courses@pesi.com. We’re that confident you'll find this intensive course to be all that's promised and more than you expected.Learn how to safely integrate Walking Therapy into your practice!
$474.95 ValueJust $149.95 (GST Inclusive) Today — Unbelievable Savings!
Plus, FREE bonuses & exclusive offer just for you!