Stephanie Dasher, LPC-A (SC) | Charleston & Telehealth Statewide | Somatic & Trauma-informed Counseling.
Walk-and-talk Therapy is Exactly What It Sounds Like: Real Therapy, It's Just Outside.
Walk-and-talk therapy is simply therapy provided in a naturalistic environment. Its benefits have been shown in recent feasibility studies. Participants who engaged in walk and talk therapy experienced reduced psychological distress, an increased sense of self-awareness, and improved nervous system regulation.
Walk-and-talk therapy offers clients a way to experience somatic release through movement while processing difficult emotions. For some, it also provides a spiritual outlet that allows for meaning-making.
Importantly, walk and talk therapy has been shown to benefit men and boys in particular, who are least likely to engage in mental health support, and aligns with the APA’s guidelines of offering interventions that reflect male socialization and values (American Psychological Association, 2018). Some studies have shown that walk-and-talk therapy may be as beneficial as traditional therapy and appears to provide the added benefit of creating a space that feels freer and less restrictive for those seeking counseling. Walk & Talk can be for a variety of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, communication and relationship issues, identity issues, and stress (Prince-Llewellyn & McCarthy, P. 2025).
American Psychological Association, Boys and Men Guidelines Group. (2018). APA guidelines for psychological practice with boys and men. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/about/policy/psychological-practice-boys-men-guidelines.pdf.
Prince-Llewellyn, H., & McCarthy, P. (2025). Walking and talking for well-being: Exploring the effectiveness of walk and talk therapy. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 25, e12847. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12847
Benefits of Walk & Talk Therapy
Clients May Feel
• Feel more at ease
​• Appreciate the lower eye contact of the side-by-side
walking experience
• Find problem-solving easier
• Experience greater depth of thought
• Feel reduced pressure on performance
• Have somatic release of difficult emotions
What Sessions Look Like
We’ll walk at a comfortable pace. Sometimes we keep moving, sometimes we stop. The work might include:​​
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Mapping your patterns (what triggers you & your responses)
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Grounding, breath, and somatic experiments to bring intensity down
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Practical communication and boundary tools you can take into real life
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Pacing that respects capacity
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Understanding how thoughts, behaviors, and feelings are intertwined.
Virtual Sessions Also Available
If outdoor sessions aren’t a fit (due to schedule, weather, or preference), you can also meet virtually. Your counseling page already lists both options
I’m based in the Charleston area and work with clients across Charleston County (including Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Daniel Island, and North Charleston). I also see clients via telehealth anywhere in South Carolina.
What You'll Invest For Services
Individual Therapy Sessions
Counseling | Virtual or in Person
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Length: 50 minutes
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Location: In person as walk & talk or virtual
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Professional fee: $135 per session
Couples Therapy Sessions
Counseling | Virtual or in Person
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Length: 50 minutes
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Location: In person as walk & talk or virtual
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Professional fee: $175 per session
Walk & Talk
Walk-and-talk can be great for people who enjoy talking while walking side by side. But it's not for everyone. We'll start with a virtual assessment so I can understand your goals, dynamics, and whether a walk-and-talk makes sense for you.
How We Choose Locations
Public spaces aren't entirely private. We'll use a specific informed consent process, choose low-traffic routes, and pause or redirect if people are nearby when using walk-and-talk therapy. We'll have a contingency plan if the weather or another emergency prevents a session from taking place outside.
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Stephanie Dasher, LPC-A (South Carolina) — under the supervision of Dr. Maia Gill, PhD (SC#1202).
FAQ's
01.
Is it confidential?
Therapy is confidential, but sessions take place in public settings, so privacy can’t be guaranteed the way it can be indoors. We choose low-traffic routes, adjust what we discuss when people are nearby, and you’ll have specific informed consent around this.​
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02.
Is walk-and-talk “real therapy”?
Yes. Same clinical work, it's just a different setting. The format can support regulation and make it easier for some people to talk.
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03.
What if it’s hot/raining or I don’t feel like walking?
We can switch to virtual when needed, or modify the plan (shorter walk, more stops, seated moments).
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04.
Can we do virtual sessions anywhere in South Carolina?
Yes. If you’re physically located in South Carolina during the session, we can meet via secure telehealth.
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