Seasonal availability: Walk & Talk sessions are offered throughout spring, summer, and fall. If inclement weather is forecast, connect with your therapist about alternate arrangements.
You and your therapist will arrange to meet on a local Hamilton nature trail — and experience the benefits of integrating nature and walking into your therapy session. You and your therapist will decide on the pacing of your walking together, and can take breaks when needed where benches are available.
Spending time in nature lowers stress hormones and can help regulate the nervous system. Compared with sitting, walking boosts cerebral blood flow and fosters psychological flexibility (Carter et al., 2018) — both helpful for integrating new insights from therapy.
Physical motion can help break through mental blocks and a feeling of “stuckness” that can arise in a traditional seated setting.
Time outdoors lowers cortisol levels and activates the parasympathetic nervous system — helping you feel safer and more open.
For many people, walking alongside a therapist feels less intense than sitting face-to-face in an office, making difficult topics easier to discuss.
You can switch between walk & talk, traditional office sessions, or virtual and phone options — whatever works best for you each week.
We have designated meeting spots at two beautiful Hamilton locations. Once you book, you’ll receive a specific meeting point map and instructions on where to park or access by transit.
A serene natural area at the western end of Cootes Paradise, offering quiet trails and waterside views — ideal for reflective, unhurried sessions.
A beautiful lakeside path with open views of Hamilton Harbour — accessible, scenic, and easy to navigate at any pace.
Our Therapists at CBT Solutions can now prescribe time in nature as part of your mental health treatment plan. Access a free 30 day pass to the Hamilton Conservation Authority, and enjoy the healing power of nature
You and your therapist arrange to meet on a local Hamilton nature trail. Together, you decide on the pace and can take breaks on benches as needed. Sessions are available throughout spring, summer, and fall. If weather is a concern, check in with your therapist about alternate arrangements.
Not at all. The focus is on the talk, not the walk. We set a pace that is comfortable for you, usually a gentle stroll. The goal is to get your body moving enough to help unlock your thoughts, not to reach a target heart rate. Breaks on a bench are always available.
This is the most common concern. At the start of our first session, we establish a confidentiality plan. If we encounter someone you know, you can choose how to handle it, whether we keep walking, introduce your therapist as a colleague, or simply move on. We choose routes that are quiet and conducive to private conversation. That said, meeting outdoors does increase this possibility, and it is important to be aware of that.
Movement can unstick the brain. For many people, sitting face-to-face in a room feels intense or confrontational. Walking side-by-side reduces that pressure and can make it easier to discuss difficult topics. Being in nature also lowers cortisol, a stress hormone, helping you feel more regulated during your session.
We have designated meeting spots at Princess Point and Bayfront Park in Hamilton. Once you book, you will receive a specific meeting point map and instructions on where to park or get off transit.
Generally, we recommend the initial intake session be done virtually or in office. This allows us to complete the necessary paperwork, discuss your goals, and establish Walk-and-Talk safety and privacy boundaries before heading outside.
Absolutely. There is no problem switching between walk & talk, traditional office sessions, or our virtual and phone options, depending on which format works best for you at any given time.
No. We believe therapy should be accessible in the format that works best for you. The rate for a Walk-and-Talk session is the same as our standard in-office or virtual CBT sessions.
Our team of therapists is here to help you develop and feel better.
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