Walking Therapy
Walking Therapy offers a calm, natural setting for therapeutic conversations. Instead of sitting indoors, we walk side‑by‑side at a relaxed pace, allowing the rhythm of movement and the environment around us to support the work we do together.
Many people find that walking helps them feel more at ease, more open, and more connected to their thoughts and emotions. The combination of fresh air, gentle movement, and a quieter landscape can make it easier to talk, reflect, and breathe.
Sessions last around 60 minutes, just like a standard counselling session.
We walk at a pace that feels comfortable for you — this is not exercise‑based therapy.
You don’t need any special equipment; just comfortable footwear and weather‑appropriate clothing.
We choose routes that are quiet, safe, and not overly public, supporting your privacy and comfort.
If the weather is unsuitable, we can switch to an indoor session or online session.
Walking Therapy is suitable for many people, including those who:
feel more comfortable talking while moving
find traditional therapy rooms overwhelming or intense
benefit from grounding, sensory experiences
enjoy nature or open spaces
want a more flexible, embodied therapeutic experience
Local Routes To Choose From
🚶♂️➡️ Route 1: The Tom Jones Mile (Treforest)
Duration: ~55 minutes
Start: Setting off & returning to where Silence Speaks is located (CF37 1DL)
Footfall: Low–moderate
Terrain: Flat, paved route. Light elevation/incline toward the end
Why it works for therapy
Gentle, rhythmic walking with minimal interruptions
Surrounded by tree’s & nature, with minimal passers by
Route:
Meeting close to the university car park, before setting along the Taff Trail for one mile (passing the Tom Jones statue), & returning along the same route.
🌿 Route 2: Taff Trail (Treforest)
Duration: ~55 minutes
Start: River Taff access located at (CF37 1BX)
Footfall: Low–moderate, much quieter than the Pontypridd town stretch
Terrain: Flat, paved route, as part of the Taff Trail
Why it works for therapy
Gentle, rhythmic walking with minimal interruptions
Riverside soundscape naturally regulates pace and tone
Route:
Walk south along the Taff Trail for ~25 minutes, turn back at a natural marker (bridge or bend), & return.
🏔️ Route 3: Eglwysilan Mountain – Lower Slope Path (Pontypridd)
Duration: 55–60 minutes
Start: Eglwysilan Road pull‑in (CF37 5LJ)
Footfall: Very low
Terrain: Open hillside, grassy paths, gentle incline
Why it works for therapy
Expansive views create emotional spaciousness
Very few people pass through this area
Ideal for clients who benefit from rich landscapes
Route:
Walk the lower contour path for ~30 minutes, then return. No need to climb — the lower slopes are quiet and beautiful.
🐝 Route 4: Craig Yr Hesg Nature Reserve (Pontypridd)
Duration: 55–60 minutes
Start: Eglwysilan Road pull‑in (CF37 5LJ)
Footfall: Very low
Terrain: Open hillside, grassy paths, gentle incline
Why it works for therapy
Quiet, tucked‑away reserve with a mix of woodland and open sections
Offers a sense of retreat without being remote
Good for clients who prefer nature but not steep climbs
Route:
Follow the main loop at a relaxed pace, returning in a full circle to the same spot that we set off from.
🌲 Route 5: Llanerch Vineyard Woodland Walk (Pontyclun)
Duration: 55–60 minutes
Start: Llanerch Vineyard Car Park (CF72 8GG)
Footfall: Low
Terrain: Gravelled paths, flat walk throughout with seating available
Why it works for therapy
Forest walk with rich colours & wildlife
Woods lead to a large pond, with seating available
A perfect blend of nature, wildlife, & privacy
Route:
Meet at the car park before setting off through the woods for a 10 minute walk leading to a large duck pond, with the option of making 1-2 loops around the pond or taking time to chat on one of the many benches, before returning through the woods to the car park
🌼 Route 6: Llantrisant Common Loop (Old Llantrisant)
Duration: 50–60 minutes
Start: Llantrisant Common Car Park (CF72 8DB)
Footfall: Low–moderate
Terrain: Open common land, grass paths, gentle inclines
Why it works for therapy
Wide, open spaces create a sense of calm and emotional spaciousness
Easy to adapt the route length depending on the client’s pace
Beautiful views across the common and toward the old town
Route:
Meet at the common entrance located close to the cattle grid, before setting off in one of many directions for a 50-60 minute walk returning to the same spot.
🌿 Route 7: Tonteg Hill Woodland Path (Tonteg)
Duration: 50–60 minutes
Start: Tonteg Castle Mound parking lay‑by (CF38 1TF)
Footfall: Low
Terrain: Woodland edge paths, gentle slopes, grassy tracks
Why it works for therapy
Quiet, tucked‑away woodland feel without being remote
A mix of open and enclosed spaces supports grounding work
Great for clients who prefer nature but not steep climbs
Route:
This is a lovely, underrated local route — peaceful, green, and ideal for steady therapeutic pacing. Meet at the layby near Church Road, before setting off along the woodland path
🌿 Route 8: Nantgarw Riverside Path (Nantgarw)
Duration: 50–60 minutes
Start: Parc Nantgarw (CF15 7QX)
Footfall: Low-Moderate
Terrain: Flat, paved riverside path
Why it works for therapy
Quiet stretch of the Taff Trail with fewer cyclists than the town sections
Riverside walking naturally regulates pace and supports grounding
Very accessible — ideal for clients who prefer predictable terrain
Route:
One of the most reliable “calm but accessible” routes in the area — perfect for clients who benefit from gentle movement and a soothing environment
We are more than willing to consider other routes that you may have picked, within RCT or the surrounding area’s, so please feel free to get in touch to suggest your preferred route & we can decide together upon a suitable place to meet.
I focus on:
creating a safe, steady space where you can talk openly
helping you understand your emotional world with clarity and compassion
exploring patterns that may be keeping you stuck
supporting you to develop healthier boundaries and coping strategies
working at a pace that feels manageable and respectful
This is not about “fixing” you — it’s about understanding you, supporting you, and helping you move toward a life that feels more aligned and grounded.
My Approach
My work integrates lived, professional, and academic experience, offering a grounded, trauma‑informed approach that centres your wellbeing and autonomy.
Sarah’s Journey with Silence Speaks: A Case Study
Sarah reached out for Walking Therapy after experiencing ongoing stress, anxiety, and difficulty switching off from work. She described feeling “constantly on edge,” and although she had tried traditional indoor counselling in the past, she found it hard to relax in a room and often felt pressured to maintain eye contact. She wanted a therapeutic space that felt calmer, more natural, and less intense.
During her first Walking Therapy session, Sarah noticed that being outdoors helped her feel more grounded and less self‑conscious. The gentle rhythm of walking along a quiet, tree‑lined route created a sense of ease that made it easier for her to talk about the pressures she was carrying. She said the movement helped her “think more clearly” and reduced the physical tension she normally felt when discussing difficult emotions.
Over the following weeks, we explored the patterns of stress, emotional overwhelm, and people‑pleasing tendencies that were contributing to her anxiety. The natural environment supported this work — moments of stillness, changes in scenery, and the spaciousness of the outdoors helped Sarah connect with her thoughts in a different way.
As sessions progressed, Sarah developed a stronger awareness of her emotional boundaries, learned grounding techniques she could use outside therapy, and began to recognise the early signs of burnout. She described Walking Therapy as “a space where I can breathe again,” and found that the combination of movement, nature, and therapeutic conversation helped her feel more balanced and in control.
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"Starting your own business can be overwhelming, and it often takes a toll on your mental health. Anxiety has held me back at various points while trying to get things off the ground, and I know it probably will again. But having someone to talk to who understands both the pressures of running a business and the importance of mental wellbeing has made a real difference. Speaking with Steve at Silence Speaks has helped me realise I don’t have to face everything on my own. He’s offered genuine advice and perspective that gave me the strength to keep going. If you’re struggling with your mental health or just feel like you’re carrying something heavy, I honestly couldn’t recommend Silence Speaks more highly"
J.C, age 26, Individual Therapy Client
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“As a counsellor myself, I can attest to Steve's exceptional empathy and willingness to give it his all. No finer, more upbeat therapist could be found to assist anyone seeking guidance in navigating their emotional health and wellbeing.”
Helen Barbara Moore
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"I started walking therapy with Steven last year. During our walking therapy, Steven always listens deeply and responds thoughtfully. During every session, I have been amazed by his ability to find hidden insights and connections in my blindspots that I just hadn't been able to see. Steven's skill in turning my thoughts around to the positive-but-true is something I appreciate every week. I would strongly recommend Steven to anyone going through a hard time in their lives, either with walking therapy or in a meeting room.
G.A, age 42, Walking Therapy Client
Rates & Duration
ConsultationIndividual Session Individual Session x4Couples SessionCouples Session x 4Service
Duration
Cost
15 mins55 mins4 x 55 min sessions55 mins4 x 55 min sessionsFree£55£200 (£50 per session)£65£240 (£60.00 per session)* Sessions x4 must be retained within 60 days of booking
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