Working with Young People Using Walk and Talk Therapy
Course Date: Refer to Calendar page.
Normal Fee: S$580 (Singapore Residents). Funding details available at the Funding page.
Course Overview
Having face-to-face conversations with young people can be awkward in any situation. It can be particularly difficult when confined in a room, having eye contact, chair to chair, knee to knee, and expected to reveal very private and possibly painful things.
To overcome this discomfort and help the young people to feel more at ease opening up about their issues and process their emotions better, taking a walk and talking makes the conversation feel less threatening for the young people experiencing emotional distress.
When traditional talk therapy is combined with rhythmic exercise, such as walking, it is called Walk and Talk Therapy. It have proven to be conducive to the process of self-discovery. Research shows 4 key reasons for Walk and Talk Therapy:
Whether you are a teacher desiring to support a student looking sad and lethargic all the time, or a social worker seeking to help delinquent youths, or a counsellor/psychologist who wish to expand your ‘toolkit of therapies’, this course is suitable for you. It will introduce you to the Walk and Talk Therapy and equip you with the knowledge and skills of how you can work with young people effectively.
This workshop comprises of 3 parts:
Part 1: The Basics of Walk & Talk Therapy
We will discuss about the essential know-how of Walk & Talk Therapy in order to get you prepared on combining physical activity and ‘helping’ in your work with young people. You will learn how to manage the important considerations such as venues, pace of walking, attires. Ethical, safety and confidentiality issues would be addressed in order for you to conduct this therapy in a safe and efficacious manner. Finally, we will customise Active Listening strategies in Walk & Talk Therapy.
Part 2: Theoretical/Psychological Elements in Walk & Talk Therapy
We will apply Kolb's experiential learning theory to facilitate self-discovered learning during the walking and movement experiences. We would also discuss how to use metaphors in Cognitive Restructuring during the session.
Part 3: Advanced Application of Walk & Talk Therapy
We will practice utilising Walk & Talk Therapy to help young people manage common psychological issues. Participants will have a chance to role-play in order to enhance their skillset and build up their confidence. Additionally, participants would also practice Mindfulness-based strategies in Walk & Talk Therapy.
Mr Gerald Boh
MA (Applied Psych) Gold Medal (S’pore), MSc (Ex & Sports), Post Grad Dip Ed (PE), BA Psych
Gerald is a Registered Psychologist and Approved Supervisor with the Singapore Register of Psychologist. He is skilled in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Reality Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and other integrated mind-body approaches to help clients cope better with the issues and circumstances together with their stakeholders e.g. family members, school staff or colleagues.
Gerald has extensive experience in different settings helping children, adolescents, adults, couples and families across the lifespan on a wide range of psychosocial and physical health issues. He has special interest in stress, anxiety and depression as well as sleep and chronic pain issues.
Gerald is cognisant of the power of incorporating psychotherapy with Exercise. He utilises Walk and Talk Therapy to get his clients not only to be more physically active through walking, but also to help them to ‘move ahead’ and enhance their problem solving ability as they walk and discuss about the issues.
Target Audience
This workshop is suitable for those working with youths who need physical movement to dispel embarrassment and discomfort.
Duration
1 full day (9 to 5 pm)
Delivery Mode
Online via Zoom
Workshop Topics:
Part 1: The Basics of 'Walk & Talk' Therapy
Part 2: Theoretical/Psychological Elements in Walk & Talk Therapy
Part 3: Advanced Application of Walk & Talk Therapy
Having face-to-face conversations with young people can be awkward in any situation. It can be particularly difficult when confined in a room, having eye contact, chair to chair, knee to knee, and expected to reveal very private and possibly painful things.
To overcome this discomfort and help the young people to feel more at ease opening up about their issues and process their emotions better, taking a walk and talking makes the conversation feel less threatening for the young people experiencing emotional distress.
When traditional talk therapy is combined with rhythmic exercise, such as walking, it is called Walk and Talk Therapy. It have proven to be conducive to the process of self-discovery. Research shows 4 key reasons for Walk and Talk Therapy:
- It encourages young persons to be more physically active for mental and physical reasons.
- It helps them to get "unstuck" when confronting difficult issues. When moving forward on the physical path, they build muscle memory of how they can move forward and away from their problem
- It spurs creative, deeper ways of thinking often released by mood-improving physical activity
- It taps on the “healing power of nature.” Many people associate being outdoors as good and positive
Whether you are a teacher desiring to support a student looking sad and lethargic all the time, or a social worker seeking to help delinquent youths, or a counsellor/psychologist who wish to expand your ‘toolkit of therapies’, this course is suitable for you. It will introduce you to the Walk and Talk Therapy and equip you with the knowledge and skills of how you can work with young people effectively.
This workshop comprises of 3 parts:
Part 1: The Basics of Walk & Talk Therapy
We will discuss about the essential know-how of Walk & Talk Therapy in order to get you prepared on combining physical activity and ‘helping’ in your work with young people. You will learn how to manage the important considerations such as venues, pace of walking, attires. Ethical, safety and confidentiality issues would be addressed in order for you to conduct this therapy in a safe and efficacious manner. Finally, we will customise Active Listening strategies in Walk & Talk Therapy.
Part 2: Theoretical/Psychological Elements in Walk & Talk Therapy
We will apply Kolb's experiential learning theory to facilitate self-discovered learning during the walking and movement experiences. We would also discuss how to use metaphors in Cognitive Restructuring during the session.
Part 3: Advanced Application of Walk & Talk Therapy
We will practice utilising Walk & Talk Therapy to help young people manage common psychological issues. Participants will have a chance to role-play in order to enhance their skillset and build up their confidence. Additionally, participants would also practice Mindfulness-based strategies in Walk & Talk Therapy.
Mr Gerald Boh
MA (Applied Psych) Gold Medal (S’pore), MSc (Ex & Sports), Post Grad Dip Ed (PE), BA Psych
Gerald is a Registered Psychologist and Approved Supervisor with the Singapore Register of Psychologist. He is skilled in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Reality Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and other integrated mind-body approaches to help clients cope better with the issues and circumstances together with their stakeholders e.g. family members, school staff or colleagues.
Gerald has extensive experience in different settings helping children, adolescents, adults, couples and families across the lifespan on a wide range of psychosocial and physical health issues. He has special interest in stress, anxiety and depression as well as sleep and chronic pain issues.
Gerald is cognisant of the power of incorporating psychotherapy with Exercise. He utilises Walk and Talk Therapy to get his clients not only to be more physically active through walking, but also to help them to ‘move ahead’ and enhance their problem solving ability as they walk and discuss about the issues.
Target Audience
This workshop is suitable for those working with youths who need physical movement to dispel embarrassment and discomfort.
- Youth Social Workers, Counsellors and Psychologists working in VWOs
- Psychologists and Counsellors in private practice
- Educators teaching young people in schools
- Counsellors and AEDs in schools
Duration
1 full day (9 to 5 pm)
Delivery Mode
Online via Zoom
Workshop Topics:
Part 1: The Basics of 'Walk & Talk' Therapy
- Understanding physical activity guidelines
- Benefits of combining physical activity and counselling
- Psychological benefits of Physical Activity and Movements
- Therapeutic effects of Nature
- Learn how to implement the therapy:
- Environment, Venues
- Walking pace
- Attires
- Address the ethical, safety and confidentiality issues:
- Health considerations
- Meeting familiar people
- Weather considerations
- Safety consideration
- Customise Active Listening strategies during Walk & Talk Therapy
- Learn how to observe and assess emotions related with facial expression, body language, para-linguistic cues during Walk & Talk Therapy
- Understand emotions and its related thought and behavioural patterns
- Practice Active Listening strategies (e.g. Paraphrasing, Reflection of Emotions, Open-Ended Questions) during the Walk & Talk Therapy
Part 2: Theoretical/Psychological Elements in Walk & Talk Therapy
- Kolb's experiential learning style theory
- Concrete Experience of Walking & Movement-Related Experiential Activities
- Reflective Observation of the above experiences
- Abstract Conceptualisation (person’s learning from their experience).
- Active Experimentation (learner’s application of learning to the world)
- Applying ‘Walking/Movements’-related Metaphors in Cognitive Restructuring.
- Utilise Reflection of Meanings with metaphorical elements of ‘Walking’ or ‘Movements’.
Part 3: Advanced Application of Walk & Talk Therapy
- Practice (using Role Play) to support young people dealing with the following psychological issues
- Goal setting issues
- Feeling ‘pulled’ or held back by challenges
- Difficulty letting go of their past
- Procrastination; ‘going in circles’
- Difficulty with emotional baggage
- Learn mindfulness-based strategies that can be used in Walk & Talk Therapy
