Walk & Talk Therapy in Sacramento
A different path to healing & growth
What is it?
Walk & talk therapy is just what it sounds like - we meet in person and we walk while we have our therapy session. Yeah, it’s a little outside the box, so am I — a client once said I should market myself as ‘the least therapist-like therapist ever’. More importantly, though, walk & talk therapy has some benefits when compared to in-office therapy:
Physical activity is a great way to help regulate ourselves physiologically, which helps with mood.
Research indicates that movement helps us to think more flexibly and creatively — a great match for the perspective & mindset shifts that help therapy to be more effective.
For many people, walking side by side is more comfortable than sitting face-to-face. It feels less vulnerable, and that makes opening up and discussing difficult and vulnerable issues easier. So, if you’re someone who knows you ned to open up but has difficulty doing so, this is a great option.
My approach
I see therapy as both an art and a science. At the risk of oversimplifying it, my goal as a therapist is to be a supportive guide, helping you to:
Master the tools & strategies you need to navigate your growth journey.
Get clarity about who you are and what truly matters so you know where to focus your attention and energy.
Develop more courage so you’re empowered to act in alignment with your values, even in the face of judgement or conflict.
Build resilience so you can keep going in the face of the inevitable challenges life throws at all of us.
Increase your confidence in your ability to face life's messiness and uncertainty and come out ok on the other side.
Areas of treatment focus
Highly Sensitive People
ADHD/focus
Confidence
Fear of Conflict
Anxiety
Stress
Codependency
Relationship issues
While I do specialize in helping people with certain concerns, I’ve supported clients through a wide range of challenges over the years.
So, if you’re interested in walk & talk therapy, but what you’re struggling with isn’t on this list, send me a message and we can discuss whether I can help. If not, I’m happy to try and connect you with another professional who’d be a better fit.
"You gave me the gift of insight to see patterns in myself that had been causing me to hold myself hostage and stay stuck. By working with you I have been able to move my life forward, stop fearing failure and judgement, identify and move away from negative relationships, and feel like myself again for the first time in a long time."
-GB
If weather makes walking impractical, we’ll meet via phone or video instead. There are a couple of areas I meet with clients to walk, so you can choose the one that works best for you.
Generally, we’ll have weekly or bi-weekly meetings. For people who want additional support, text or email support is also an option.
While I'm not contracted with any insurance panels, I’m happy to provide a superbill for out of network reimbursement.
HSA funds can also typically be used to pay for our sessions.
Logistical bits - the when, where, and how
"I can’t think of one time in the last two years that I didn’t walk away from a session with Steve without some gem of an insight. Old limiting patterns that have plagued me my entire life have finally begun to dissolve. At first, I wondered if the cost would be worth it. Looking back, I find it hard to overstate the value of those sessions."
-DT
FAQ
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What outcome research tells us is that the quality of the client-therapist relationship is a primary factor in good therapy outcomes. So, it’s essential that you choose a therapist who you feel comfortable talking to and can connect with. This is why I encourage potential clients to schedule a free consultation - it helps us assess that much better than a web site ever could.
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It depends (I hate the vagueness of that answer, but it's the honest one.) For some clients, it may be just a handful of sessions while they tackle a specific challenge. For others it's longer-term, because they value the ongoing support of having a trusted advisor help them navigate through life.
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Under California law, everything in our sessions (including the fact that we're having them) is confidential unless there are safety concerns or you give me permission to share information about our sessions with someone else. With walking sessions, there is a possibility of being overheard, but choosing the right location to walk can address that.
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At the risk of sounding vague, the reality is that it can vary quite a bit, depending on a number of factors (frequency of sessions, asynchronous support, out-of-network coverage). Pricing is always something we discuss in a consultation call so you have a clear idea of what to expect before you commit.
Meet Steve
I've spent the last 20+ years helping people build happier lives that are both more fulfilling and authentic.
As a fellow human, I’ve had my own share of challenges. A lack of emotional support and an unstable home environment sowed the seeds for anxiety, overthinking, and people pleasing behaviors. It 'worked' for me for a long time: people saw me as caring, selfless, always there when needed.
Underneath the surface, though, resentment and anger grew in early adulthood as I sacrificed more and more of myself, building an identity that was primarily about what I could do for others while feeling increasingly stressed, overwhelmed, and angry.
Over time that led to burnout, depression, and ultimately transformation when I finally sought help. That began the growth journey and career pivot that took me from 'tech guy' to psychotherapist.
Since 2002, in my work as a counselor, psychotherapist, and coach, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of people on their own journeys of healing, recovery, and growth. So, when I say that I know change is possible, that knowledge comes from witnessing it many times in the past. The courage of my clients inspires and challenges me to continue my own growth work.
Outside of work, you can probably find me reading, playing games with my family, helping the dogs at our local animal shelters, making music, or eating pizza & drinking something fizzy.
"I am a far more confident person that has learned to accept myself more than I had ever hoped to do so when we started working together."
-DR
What’s Next?
If what you’ve read here resonates with you, there’s a good chance I can help. I know it can be challenging to find a therapist who's a good fit, and you can only tell so much from a website. So, if you have any questions or you're interested in exploring further, just send me an email or schedule a consultation.