What is Walk and Talk therapy?

Walk and Talk therapy is like having a regular therapy session, but instead of sitting in an office, you walk and chat with your therapist outside. It's a way to combine exercise with talking about your feelings and problems, which can make therapy feel more comfortable and natural for some people. It can also be more effective, physical exercise and nature are proven to decrease anxiety and depression. Movement is our body’s way of processing difficult emotions, it’s similar to popular therapeutic methods like EMDR or ART. For more research on Walk an Talk therapy check out our resource page.

How do I get started?

To get started all you have to do is reach out! Our first session or two will be via Telehealth. At that time we will work to identify your goals and determine if Walk and Talk therapy is a good fit for you. From there we will decide where we want to meet for future appointments.

Where will we meet?

This is the fun part, we can meet at the same location each week or try out different walking paths. It’s up to you! Common meeting points are French Park, Elm Creek Park Reserve, Fish Lake Regional Park or around the chain of lakes in Minneapolis. We will determine our next meeting place at the end of each session.

What if I’m a slow walker or out of shape?

You set the pace! We can walk as slow or as fast as you would like. If you need to take a break, we will take a break. Each session is 50 minutes, and on average we will walk between two to three miles per session. If we walk less than that, that is okay!

What if it rains, snows, or is 30 below?

We can always switch to telehealth if the weather is bad! We will both keep an eye on the weather and if it looks like a bad day to talk outside we will switch to telehealth. We can also switch to telehealth if you are feeling sick or injured.

What if we run into someone I know?

Your confidentiality is important! We will discuss how you would like to handle run-ins with family or friends before our first Walk and Talk session. The most common way this is addressed is to casually say ‘hello’ and keep on going. We won’t slow down and people realize we are in a deep conversation. They don’t need to know that this is a therapy session.

What if I cry or get emotional on our walk?

Good! Researchers have established that crying releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, also known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals help ease both physical and emotional pain. Tears mean you are healing past hurts. If we need to slow down or stop for a bit we can. If there are people around, that’s okay. I am comfortable standing beside you and supporting you while you cry.

What is the cost per session?

50-minute sessions are $155, for individual therapy and $175 for couples therapy.

Do you accept insurance?

At WanderWell we do not accept insurance because it allows us to prioritize personalized care tailored specifically to our client's needs without the restrictions often imposed by insurance companies. By operating independently, we can offer flexible scheduling, longer sessions if needed, and a greater focus on therapeutic approaches that may not be covered by insurance. This ensures that our clients receive the highest quality of care and attention without compromising on their treatment journey.

The good news is mental health therapy, including Walk and Talk and virtual appointments, are a HSA/FSA eligible expense. You can use your account to cover the cost of your sessions or get reimbursed.