In person · Bolton BL1
Face-to-face counselling in Bolton
A private, quiet room at Douglas House on Belmont Road, with free parking nearby.
Visiting the roomWalk and Talk Therapy in Bolton
Counselling doesn’t have to happen in a room. Walk and Talk Therapy is counselling outdoors: we walk side by side and talk, at a pace that suits you, somewhere we’ve agreed together in advance.
It’s another way of working, not a better one. Some people simply find it easier to open up when they’re moving and not facing someone across a room.
- Free introductory call
- £50 for 60 minutes
- Outdoors, by arrangement
A different setting
Talking side by side
In a counselling room, you usually sit facing your counsellor. Walking changes that. We look ahead rather than at each other, and there’s movement and space around the conversation.
The counselling itself is the same: confidential, unhurried and focused on you. As the BACP explains, outdoor therapy may suit people who find indoor settings confining, or who find it easier to talk while moving.
- Less eye contactSome people find it easier to say difficult things when they’re not being looked at directly.
- Room to moveIf sitting still makes you restless or tense, walking can feel more natural.
- A less formal feelBeing outside can make starting counselling feel a little less daunting.
On the day
What happens on the day
Here’s what a walking session may involve.
We agree the place beforehand
We choose a location together in advance, so you know where we’re going and what to expect before the day.
We meet and settle in
We start by checking in, the same as any session, and agree anything we need to for walking outdoors.
We walk at your pace
There’s no target distance and no need to keep up. We go as quickly or as slowly as feels right, and the conversation can wander as much as the path.
We can pause, sit or be quiet
You don’t have to walk continuously. We can stop, find somewhere to sit, or walk in silence for a while. Silence is part of counselling, outdoors as much as in a room.
We finish together
The session lasts 60 minutes. We’ll leave time to wind down before we part, so you’re not stepping straight from a difficult conversation into the rest of your day.
Privacy
Privacy outdoors
What you say on a walk is just as confidential as what you say in a room, within the same limits I explain at the start of counselling.
Being outside does mean other people may be around. That’s worth thinking about before you choose this way of working.
If we see someone you know
We’ll agree beforehand what you’d like to happen, for example simply saying hello and carrying on, or pausing the conversation until we’re on our own again.
Choosing where we walk
When we agree a location, we can consider how busy it’s likely to be and whether you’d prefer somewhere you’re less likely to be recognised.
Being prepared
Weather and what to wear
Walk and Talk Therapy depends on the weather. If conditions aren’t suitable, we can rearrange the session or meet in my counselling room instead.
- Comfortable footwearShoes you can walk in for an hour, suited to the ground we’ve agreed on.
- LayersClothing for the weather, including something waterproof if it might rain.
- WaterSomething to drink, especially on warmer days.
- Anything you needAny medication or other essentials you’d usually carry with you.
A first step
Not sure if walking would suit you?
The free introductory call is a chance to ask about anything, from privacy to pace and where we might walk, and to decide whether outdoors, face-to-face or online feels right for you.
Prefer to start with a message? WhatsApp me
- Free introductory call
- No obligation to book
- Sessions are £50 for 60 minutes
Other ways to meet
Prefer to stay indoors?
Walking isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I also offer:
Anywhere in the UK
Online Counselling
Sessions from home, for adults anywhere in the UK, at the same £50 fee.
Explore online sessions
Who you’ll be walking with
I’m Andrea Long
I’m a BACP-registered counsellor and psychotherapist (MBACP 414595). I work using Transactional Analysis and see adults in person at Douglas House in Bolton, online and outdoors.
Wherever we meet, I’ll go at a pace that suits you. The free introductory call lets us both decide whether we can work well together.
Questions
Questions about Walk and Talk Therapy
For general questions about starting counselling, see what to expect.
What is Walk and Talk Therapy?
It’s counselling that takes place outdoors while we walk side by side, rather than sitting opposite each other in a room. It’s the same counselling, with the same professional boundaries; only the setting changes. It’s sometimes called walking therapy or outdoor counselling.
Is it better than counselling in a room?
Not necessarily. It’s another way of working that some people find more comfortable. Others prefer the privacy and stillness of a room, or the convenience of online sessions. You can choose whichever suits you, and the introductory call can help you decide.
What does walking do for your mental health?
Many people say they find it easier to talk while they’re moving, or with less direct eye contact. I won’t promise particular effects, though: what matters most in counselling is having space to talk and feeling able to trust the person you’re talking to.
How much does Walk and Talk Therapy cost?
Sessions are £50 for 60 minutes, the same as face-to-face and online sessions. The introductory call is free. You can pay by card, bank transfer or cash. I ask for 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel; cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice and missed appointments are charged at £25.
Where do sessions take place?
Sessions take place in Bolton and the surrounding areas, usually on easy, relatively flat routes such as parks or paths around reservoirs. We agree the exact location together beforehand.
Can I switch between walking, face-to-face and online sessions?
I also offer counselling in a private room at Douglas House in Bolton and Online Counselling anywhere in the UK. If walking stops suiting you, we can talk about changing.
What if I’m nervous about counselling outdoors?
That’s understandable. You don’t need to decide straight away. The free introductory call is a chance to ask about anything that worries you, from privacy to pace, before you choose how we’ll meet.
Getting in touch
Let’s talk about where to start
Send me a WhatsApp message to arrange a free introductory call, and mention that you’re interested in walking sessions. A sentence is plenty.
- £50
- per session, outdoors, in person or online
- 60 minutes
- for every session
- Free
- introductory call before you decide