image credit | Ifrah Akhter

Season 3, Episode 2: On Walk and Talk Therapy with Jennifer Udler

In a session devoted to the healing aspects of walking outdoors, Thomas and Panu spoke with social worker Jennifer Udler, author of the new book Walk and Talk Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to Incorporating Movement and Nature into Your Practice. Their discussion touched on the practicalities of walking therapy as a modality, philosophical and transformative aspects of walking in terms of metaphors and pilgrimages, and the recognition that walking opens us both to the wonder of the natural world, and also dark aspects, including lack of safe spaces for some, and a new normal in which we all cannot separate our walking from climate change effects like heat and wildfire smoke. A key takeaway was the importance of developing a consistent relationship with a specific place, across seasons, times and weathers. 

Links

• Jennifer Udler

• Walk and Talk Therapy: A Clinician’s Guide to Incorporating Movement and Nature into Your Practice

• On walking in damaged places: Trebbe Johnson Radical Joy for Hard Times

• Erica Berry (2023, March 21) Climate Grief Was Clouding My Time Outside. So I Turned to Ecotherapy

• Jennifer recommends the Facebook group Walking, outdoor therapists

Transcript

[The Climate Change and Happiness Transcript is on holiday.]