Walk & Talk therapy can be a good fit for women who prefer a more active, natural, or nontraditional therapy setting. It may be especially appealing if you find it easier to think and talk while moving rather than sitting still.

It can be used to work through many of the same concerns addressed in traditional therapy, including anxiety, overthinking, burnout, stress, perfectionism, life transitions, and other challenges.

Being outdoors can offer a change of environment from the traditional therapy office and create more opportunities for movement, fresh air, and connection with your surroundings.

Walking may also help some people feel more comfortable opening up and reflecting during a session. At Tulipa Therapy, we use the outdoor setting as one part of a broader therapeutic approach that is tailored to you and what you need.

Confidentiality remains an important part of therapy, but an outdoor setting is naturally different from a private therapy office. Because we are in a public or semi-public environment, there is always a possibility that we could encounter someone we know or that another person could hear part of a conversation.

We take reasonable steps to protect your privacy, including choosing appropriate walking locations and being mindful of our surroundings. Before beginning Walk & Talk therapy, we'll discuss what outdoor therapy means for confidentiality so you can decide whether this format feels comfortable for you.

Walk & Talk therapy is available in San Diego at an agreed-upon outdoor location. We'll discuss the location, route, and practical details before your first session so you know what to expect.

The goal is to choose a setting that feels comfortable and appropriate for therapy while allowing us to maintain as much privacy as possible.

We will meet virtually for our initial session and there we will create a plan together. We will discuss your goals and the details of Walk & Talk Outdoor Therapy Sessions, including where we will meet. Some of my favorite Walk & Talk locations are Lake Murray, Mission Bay, Santee Lakes, and Balboa Park.

Thankfully, in San Diego, we have many beautiful days and weather is usually cooperative, but sometimes the conditions aren't right for an outdoor session. If the weather makes walking uncomfortable or unsafe, we'll make a plan for an alternative.

Depending on the circumstances, we may reschedule, switch to telehealth, or make another arrangement that works for you.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that you can walk in comfortably. You don't need to dress for a workout; just choose something comfortable for being outdoors and walking at an easy pace.

It's also a good idea to bring water and dress for the day's weather.

Yes. Walk & Talk therapy doesn't mean you're committed to outdoor sessions every time. If you need or prefer to meet virtually, we can discuss switching to telehealth.

Tulipa Therapy offers secure online therapy, so telehealth can also provide flexibility when circumstances change.

It can be. For some people experiencing anxiety or overthinking, walking outdoors can feel less formal and create a more comfortable environment for talking and reflecting.

Walk & Talk therapy can be used alongside therapeutic approaches that address anxious thoughts, nervous system patterns, avoidance, perfectionism, and difficulty tolerating uncertainty. We'll talk together about whether this format fits your needs.

Yes. Walk & Talk therapy can be particularly appealing when you're feeling burned out, stressed, mentally overloaded, or disconnected from yourself.

Stepping outside of your usual environment and incorporating gentle movement can create space to slow down and reconnect. Therapy can then focus on the deeper patterns contributing to burnout, including chronic stress, perfectionism, overfunctioning, boundaries, and difficulty resting.

No. Walk & Talk therapy is not a workout or fitness program. The pace is conversational and the goal is therapy, not exercise.

We'll discuss the walking route and your comfort level beforehand so the experience can be adapted to what works for you.

The therapeutic work is still the same; the primary difference is the setting. Rather than meeting in a traditional office, we meet outdoors and walk together.

Some people find that the movement and outdoor environment change how they experience the therapy process. If you're unsure whether Walk & Talk or telehealth would be a better fit, we can talk about your preferences during your introductory call.

There's no need to know before you reach out. During a consultation, we can talk about what you're looking for, what you're currently struggling with, and whether Walk & Talk therapy feels like a good fit.

If you'd rather meet online, telehealth is also available.

Walk and Talk Therapy costs the same as any other type of therapy!