Walk and Talk Therapy in Lisbon: What It Is and How It Works
As a person-centred therapist, my focus is on creating a space where you feel safe to show up just as you are — no pressure, no judgment. I’m laid back and open in how I work, and I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship, which is always my priority. I also bring a sense of humour into the work when it feels right — therapy can be serious, but it doesn’t always have to be heavy, especially when an unexpected chicken or peacock gets thrown into the mix.
For some people, sitting face-to-face in a room or online can feel intense or too formal. That’s where Walk and Talk therapy can offer something different. In an outdoor setting, therapy becomes a more fluid, natural conversation — one where movement and nature can support reflection, grounding, and connection.
What Is Walk and Talk Therapy?
Walk and Talk therapy is exactly what it sounds like — we walk side by side outdoors while we talk. The pace is gentle, and the therapy still holds the same focus and depth as any session indoors or online. What changes is the environment — which can have a big impact on how you feel and how freely you speak.
Being outdoors helps reduce the pressure to maintain eye contact, encourages a sense of ease, and offers grounding in the present moment through the sounds, smells, and sights around us which we can use to our advantage.
Who Is It For?
This way of working suits a wide range of people, but especially those who:
Feel anxious or overwhelmed in enclosed spaces
Find it easier to talk while moving or being side to side
Live with ADHD or find sitting still challenging
Are navigating grief, low self-esteem, or feeling disconnected
Want a more relaxed, natural-feeling approach to therapy
It can also feel more familiar and less clinical than a traditional therapy setting — and help you reconnect with the environment around you.
How It Works in Lisbon
Lisbon is full of calm, beautiful spaces that lend themselves well to outdoor therapy — leafy parks, riverside paths, quiet gardens. I choose spots that offer a calm, and a gentle pace, and together we’ll agree on a location that feels right for us.
Before we start, we’ll meet for a first online session to talk through what’s going on for you and whether Walk and Talk might be a good fit. If so, we’ll arrange a time and place that suits us.
What to Expect/Considerations
Sessions are 50 minutes long. I allow an extra 10 minutes on top to factor in greetings, goodbyes and certain interruptions such as stray cats.
We walk at a gentle pace — the focus is always on you, not distance
Wear comfy clothes and shoes
If the weather is bad, we may need to switch to online.
Do you have medical conditions, allergies or phobias which may affect the decision to take therapy outside, such as asthma or allergies to wasp or bee stings? If so, do you carry an inhaler or EpiPen?
Sunscreen and water is important, especially in the heat
I’ll always prioritise your comfort, confidentiality, and emotional safety
A Different Way to Do Therapy
Therapy doesn’t have to happen in a room. Sometimes, the combination of movement, fresh air, and a compassionate therapeutic relationship can create space for new perspectives and deeper self-connection.
If this sounds like something you’d like to explore, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to talk it through and see what feels right for you.
And honestly? Sometimes, Walk and Talk therapy comes with a few unpredictable moments. Lisbon’s green spaces are shared with stray dogs, wandering chickens, the occasional peacock, and the lively rhythm of city life. You might cry mid-walk, or bump into someone you know. These things can feel awkward, but they’re also part of the process and can be valuable. We’ll navigate it together, with care (and maybe even a little humour when it’s needed).
Feelings, like the weather, can shift quickly. Some days feel overcast or heavy, like there’s a weight in the air. Others hit harder — like wind and rain that throw you off. And sometimes, without warning, there’s a break in the clouds. A moment of clarity or calm. Therapy can be a space to notice those patterns and find steadier ground, whatever the forecast.
Therapy doesn't have to happen between four walls. Walk and Talk offers something a little more creative, a little more human. It’s not always perfect — but neither is life, and that’s kind of the point.
If you’re curious about trying it, feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to talk through how it works and whether it feels like a good fit for you.