Running & Hiking Therapy
A Movement-Based Approach to Mental Wellness:
Movement can support emotional regulation, mental clarity, and therapeutic engagement for some clients
Therapy doesn’t have to happen in a chair. For many, sitting still can feel restrictive, making it harder to process emotions and open up. Running & Hiking Therapy blends movement with therapy, harnessing the power of exercise to support mental health in a dynamic, natural way.
Why Combine Movement & Therapy?
The link between physical movement and mental health is well-supported. For many people, walking or running can reduce stress, improve mood, and make it easier to think clearly. Movement also helps the body shift out of a stress response, which can make therapy feel more accessible and productive.
Rhythmic movement, like walking or running, can be especially helpful because it creates a steady pattern that supports focus and grounding. Some clients find it easier to sit with uncomfortable emotions, loosen rigid thinking, and see situations from a different angle when they’re moving.
Movement can support therapy by:
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Reducing stress over time
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Improving mood and energy
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Decreasing rumination
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strengthening mind-body awareness and emotional regulation
In my clinical experience, some clients find it easier to bring up difficult topics while moving, and they get less stuck in overthinking.
Running and hiking sessions are structured like traditional therapy. We set clear goals, keep the session focused, and leave with next steps you can practice between sessions. The difference is the setting.
For many, movement becomes part of the therapeutic process. The act of stepping forward can reinforce the internal progress you’re working toward. Movement is medicine, for both the body and the mind.
Running, hiking, and walking therapy are offered only when clinically and medically appropriate. This service is psychotherapy delivered in a movement-based format. It is not personal training, medical treatment, emergency care, or a substitute for physician evaluation
The Science Behind It
Why Movement Works
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Reduces stress and anxiety
Physical activity can lower baseline stress over time and improve mood and emotional regulation. -
Makes it easier to talk
Walking or running side by side can feel less intense than sitting face-to-face, which helps some people open up and stay engaged. -
Strengthens the mind-body connection
Movement increases awareness of breathing, tension, and physical cues. That awareness supports mindfulness and emotion regulation. -
Supports emotional processing
Rhythmic, bilateral movement can help some clients feel less stuck and more flexible in how they process experiences. It’s not EMDR, but it can complement trauma-informed work when appropriate. -
Improves motivation and follow-through
Movement-based sessions can reinforce consistency, routine, and self-trust, which often carries over into daily life.
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Initial Consultation
Before we meet outdoors, we start with a virtual consult to review your goals, comfort level, and any concerns. We also confirm that this format fits what you’re looking for. -
Personalized Pace and Structure
Sessions can be a walk, jog, or run. We’ll choose a pace that supports a productive conversation. Therapy is integrated into the movement in a way that feels natural, focused, and clinically useful. -
Evidence-Based Tools
Sessions may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness skills, grounding strategies, and body-based regulation techniques to help you process emotions and stay present. -
Flexible Format
Movement-based sessions can be a stand-alone option, an occasional check-in, or a structured part of ongoing therapy, depending on your goals and clinical needs.
Who is This For?
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People who want a more active, movement-based therapy option
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Individuals dealing with anxiety, stress, depression, or life transitions
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Anyone who finds that movement helps them think clearly and process emotions
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People who feel grounded outdoors and want nature as part of the setting
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Runners, hikers, walkers, or anyone looking to build exercise into their self-care routine
How Does Running Therapy Work?
My Personal Connection to Running & Mental Health
Fitness has been a consistent part of my life since 2010. Over the past five years, running has become one of the biggest drivers of my mental and physical well-being.
Earlier in my life, I went through periods of significant mental health challenges and substance use. At times, life felt overwhelming. Movement became an anchor. It gave me structure, clarity, and a way to regulate stress when everything else felt unstable.
Over time, running took that role even more strongly. The rhythmic motion, fresh air, and the process of pushing through hard moments have helped me manage stress, improve focus, and build resilience. Running has been my space to reflect, reset, and reconnect, and it’s a tool I believe can help others do the same.
I’ve also taken this passion into endurance training and ultramarathon events, including 50K distances and a 50-mile ultramarathon. My next personal goal is to complete a 100-mile ultramarathon. For me, the combination of steady effort, rhythm, and time outdoors consistently supports mental clarity and emotional balance.
Beyond running, I love to hike and explore national parks. Being in nature, whether on a trail run or a challenging hike, gives me a sense of calm and connection. The combination of movement and the outdoors has been a consistent part of how I take care of my mental health.
This personal experience is a big reason I offer Running and Hiking Therapy sessions. If you feel more open, regulated, and grounded when you’re moving, this approach can be a strong complement to traditional therapy. Whether you’re an experienced runner or you’re starting with walking, we can build a format that fits your goals and comfort level.
Important Note on Insurance Coverage
Running & Hiking Therapy is a private-pay service and is not covered by insurance. While standard therapy sessions may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement depending on your plan, this movement-based format is not billed to insurance.
This model allows more flexibility in how sessions are structured and delivered. It also supports a more personalized experience outside of a traditional office setting.
If you have questions about rates or whether this option is a fit, reach out, and I’ll help you decide next steps.
How Does Ketamine Feel?
The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subsided, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.