Counselling
in nature
Life can present challenges that leave us feeling overwhelmed, out of control, or struggling to cope. Walk and talk therapy offers a gentle, freeing space to explore your thoughts and emotions while moving through natural surroundings.
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Walking side-by-side with an empathic, attentive companion can help you process your experiences in a confidential, supportive, and enriching environment. For many people, the physical rhythm of walking encourages cognitive flexibility, making it easier to access new perspectives and insights, rather than in a static, seated setting.​
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Spending time in woodland, forests, and coastal spaces can help quiet the noise of our often tech-heavy, fast-paced world. Nature offers a restorative sense of calm, grounding, and clarity, supporting overall wellbeing.
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Whether you are navigating anxiety, depression, neurodiversity challenges, grief, relationship difficulties, trauma, low self-worth, life transitions, or are simply sitting with a sense that something is not quite right, together, we can explore painful feelings, experiences of being stuck, or a sense of dissatisfaction you may be carrying.
Many of us have learned ways of coping that once served us well but no longer support the lives we want to live. By gently examining your thoughts, your sense of self, and the ways you relate to others and the world around you, it becomes possible to uncover new perspectives, deepen self-understanding, and move toward acceptance.
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Walk and talk therapy can help you gain clarity, explore choices, and create space for a more fulfilling, balanced, and meaningful life.
About me
With 25 years’ experience in
therapeutic outdoor environments
and education, my priority is to
ensure you feel emotionally safe
and physically comfortable
throughout our sessions.
Half of my work time time I deliver
Anxiety, Emotional Regulation
Coping skills, Low Mood and Self
Esteem group based courses for a
Mental Health charity. For me this
provides a nice balance with
counselling where I can offer a
deeper, person centred space that allows for a meaningful relational approach.
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As an integrative counsellor, I draw on a range of therapeutic
approaches and techniques from different schools of thought,
adapting them to suit each client’s unique circumstances, needs,
and way of working.
My integrative approach is grounded in Person-Centred and
Nature-Based therapy, while also incorporating elements of Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
This flexible framework allows me to tailor our work together in a way that supports your growth, resilience, and wellbeing.
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​Registration and relevant qualifications
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Registered member 420173 MBACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy​
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Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling - Iron Mill College
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Counselling Young People (Stage One) - Iron Mill College
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Online counselling (Get started) - Open University
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Mental Health First Aid - MHFA England
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Reality Therapy based on Choice Theory Course - GIFCT
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​First Aid at Work
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PGCE Post-compulsory Education & Training - Southampton University
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BA (Hons) Outdoor Management - Birmingham University
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Mountain (walking) Leader - MLTB
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Counselling Sessions
Walk and Talk Sessions
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Walk and talk counselling is a form of therapy that takes place outdoors while we walk side by side. It follows the same structure and depth as a conventional talking therapy session, but with the added therapeutic benefits of movement and time spent in nature.
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The pace and nature of the walk is flexible based on yourself and the conditions, for some it can be a short walk to a sitting point, for others a continual walk.
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Sessions last 50 minutes and are held in an agreed-upon location, beginning and ending in the same place. All ethical standards and confidentiality principles that apply to professional counselling are fully upheld.
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Online Sessions
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I also offer online counselling, which may be the most suitable option depending on your circumstances. After online sessions, I encourage clients to reflect on their experience in an outdoor space so that the benefits of nature-based therapy can be integrated when possible.
Online sessions can also serve as a planned back-up option during extreme weather or when meeting in person isn’t feasible.
Offer
Young people
Walk and talk sessions are available for anyone aged 11 and over. With many years’ experience working in alternative education, I have supported young people who find mainstream environments challenging. Time and again, I have seen how being outdoors can create a calm, open, and non‑judgemental space where young people feel more able to talk, explore their challenges, reflect on behaviour, and build insight, growth, and change.
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Having extensive experience working with neurodiverse young people, I aim to create an environment that feels comfortable, accessible, and supportive for each individual. The outdoor setting also allows us to incorporate creativity into therapy, and if this feels right for you or your young person, it can be a powerful way to develop understanding through experiential, immersive work.
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Before beginning walk and talk sessions with a young person, I carry out a risk assessment with both the young person and their responsible adult. This ensures everyone feels physically and emotionally safe. The planned location and contact details are always shared with the responsible adult, along with my own my own point of contact, as part of my standard practice.
FAQ
What should I wear?
Please dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Comfortable footwear that you don’t mind getting wet or muddy is recommended for most of the year, along with a waterproof coat unless the forecast is dry.
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What should I bring?
Just yourself. A coat is often useful, and bringing a water bottle is a good idea—but if we’re meeting in person, I will always have spare supplies available.
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What if I need to cancel?
If you need to cancel, just let me know with at least 24 hours’ notice and there will be no charge. Cancellations made within 24 hours do require payment.
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What if the weather is bad?
With the right clothing, even wild weather can make for a meaningful and grounding outdoor session—nature often brings something valuable to the therapeutic process. However, if you’d prefer, we can switch to an online session or move indoors to a Wellbeing Centre space in Hythe (subject to availability). Please let me know in advance if you’d like to change the session format.
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I have mobility challenges—can I access counselling?
Absolutely. Sessions will be adapted to meet your needs and comfort level. We can take a gentle approach, such as sitting with chairs overlooking the sea, requiring minimal movement while still benefiting from the natural environment. Alternatively, online sessions from the comfort of your home may be more suitable—whatever works best for you.
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Can I bring my dog?
As a dog lover, I fully understand the joy and comfort they bring. However, the focus of the session is you, and dogs can sometimes attract attention from other walkers or shift your focus. For this reason, I advise against bringing your dog to counselling sessions.
Contact
To book at 20 minute phone chat or for more details
Email : michellebaker919@gmail.com
Phone or text: 07856 125 0789
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