Hi I’m Ali and I am a walk and talk and remote counsellor at Phoenix Health and Wellbeing.
After a career in education I re-trained as an integrative counsellor and now support young people and adults with issues including anxiety, grief, depression and low mood, relationship difficulties, sexuality and low self esteem.
Having being a client for a family bereavement I know first hand how helpful it can be to people’s lives. I have also lived and worked in multicultural areas therefore being able to provide empathy to people of all ages, and cultures.
In Walk and Talk Therapy, I apply the same principles as I do if we were to have counselling online or in a counselling room. Sometimes sitting opposite someone can be difficult and I aim to facilitate self-understanding, enhance problem-solving abilities and promote personal growth in a setting that may feel more comfortable.
There are many benefits from Walk and Talk therapy.
Being outdoors during daylight can help regulate and reset disrupted circadian rhythms, particularly for those suffering from mood disorders. This is because light exposure, particularly in the morning, can help regulate melatonin production which is a hormone crucial for healthy sleep-wake cycles.
Another benefit to walk and talk therapy is that by physically moving and being outside during the therapy session, clients are actively engaging with their environment. This can help reinforce natural circadian rhythms and help promote healthy sleep patterns, especially for individuals who may have a sedentary lifestyle or spend the majority of their day indoors.