I admit, when mulling over whether to offer Walk & Talk therapy sessions, I worried about how many I’d have to call off due to rainy weather.

I needn’t have worried. Very few clients have wanted to reschedule due to Autumn showers. (For those who did, we moved the session online.)

What I’ve found is that rain in a walk-and-talk counselling session can serve as a powerful therapeutic tool rather than a disruption.

It can be a benefit.

Here’s how –

1. Sensory Grounding & Presence

We can use the rain to ground us, and help us feel present in the moment, by –

• Listening to the sound: Focusing on the rhythm of raindrops on leaves, puddles, or waterproof jackets to anchor the mind in the immediate present.
• Feeling the elements: Noticing the physical sensations of cool air or mist on the face to shift focus out of a racing head and into the body.
• Smelling the environment: Using the scent of earth after rain as a natural trigger for calm, deep breathing and sensory awakening.

2. Metaphor and Emotional Processing

This is my favourite! We can find symbolism and meaning in the wet weather:

• Weather as emotion: Rain mirrors internal states; clients can explore how they handle discomfort, sadness, or storms in their lives (e.g., “Do you hide from the storm, try to fight it, or walk through it?”).
• Cleansing and release: The act of walking through rain can symbolize washing away old thoughts, grief, or heavy burdens, leaving room for a fresh start.
• Carrying the weight: Wet clothes or mud on boots can open a dialogue about the extra “weight” or effort a client is currently carrying.

3. The RAIN technique

There is even a handy ‘RAIN technique’ to incorporate into the sessions:

• R – Recognise: Acknowledge the physical and emotional discomfort of the rain (or the heavy feeling inside) without trying to ignore it.
• A – Allow: Let the rain fall and let the difficult feelings be present without fighting or rushing back to a car.
• I – Investigate: Bring gentle curiosity to how the body reacts to the cold and damp, or how the mind reacts to plans not going perfectly.
• N – Nurture: Offer self-compassion, warmth, or a supportive pause, reminding yourselves that you can care for one another through uncomfortable weather.

Overall, I find that pushing through light rain side-by-side builds a unique sense of teamwork and shared endurance between me and my client. A shared resilience emerges.

Still, as mentioned in the opening paragraph, a good walk-and-talk plan always includes a backup option if the rain turns into a real downpour – like moving the session online or heading to a sheltered gazebo (which there is on Dover seafront, a place where I do the majority of my sessions)

My main message to you in this article is that I really am here for you whatever the weather.

For more information on Walk & Talk sessions with me, a qualified therapist, please do send me an email at [email protected] and we can talk more about your requirements.