Walking Together

Welcome to Walking Together

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Christine is a Registered Nurse and Counsellor, with a passionate belief in the importance of optimal health and wellness for everyone, regardless of age.


Wheel of Wellness

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Wellness (as opposed to illness) can be understood as the integration of the intellectual, social, spiritual, physical and emotional (mental), components that contribute to a person's health and quality of life, as well as how they feel about life and their ability to function effectively ("Concepts of Fitness and Wellness" Corbin, C., Lindsey, R. ,Welk ,G., Corbin, W., 2002).

Christine believes that trauma to one dimension will impact on another, leading to an imbalance which in turn affects a person’s ability to function effectively.



While the wheel forms a perfect circle it remains balanced, but if one part is damaged then the imbalance will affect a person's health and wellbeing, ultimately causing psychological or physical illness, or both. Sometimes we need assistance to restore the balance, as it is often not an event that can cause imbalance, but the way the event is interpreted or understood.


Services

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“Walking Together” offers assistance both emotionally and physically and some people may feel more comfortable talking and walking.

Yes there is something that is better for you than any drug or alcoholic beverage. Something that may even have an effect on depression after as short a time as two weeks. Something that is free and instantly available and requires no level of skill.

It is an indisputable fact that exercise is beneficial both physically and mentally, at whatever level of activity. Leading research indicates how important and beneficial even 30 minutes of walking a day can be to help prevent and manage depression and anxiety, as well as cardiovascular disease (now known to be linked significantly to depression) high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. It may also help to prevent dementia and some types of cancer, as well as reduce post-natal depression.

The Mayo Clinic and The Heart Foundation explain that exercise:

• Releases feel-good brain chemicals (neurotransmitters and endorphins) that may ease depression
  
• Reduces immune system chemicals that can increase depression
  
• Increases the body temperature which may have calming effects
  
• Improves quality of sleep
  
• Helps to distract you from negative thoughts
  
• Aids Neurogenesis, also improving cognitive functioning
  
• Helps you to look and feel better

It also helps you to gain confidence, to cope in a healthy way, to take your mind off your worries and encourages more social interaction. The great news is that exercise does not have to be highly strenuous to be beneficial. Walking around the block, or three ten minute walks to start with, particularly after being inactive for a long time are recommended and can also be highly beneficial. The mechanism of walking may help to loosen up feelings and improve alertness and attentiveness. In other words to soothe and smooth your thoughts.


So how will counselling help me?

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Resilience is described as the ability to bounce back and to adapt well in times of stress, trauma or tragedy. The path to recovery after any personal heartbreak is a unique experience for each person and generally incorporates great pain and sadness. The American Psychological Association (APA, 2010) describes the most important factor in resilience as “having caring and supportive relationships within and outside the family”.


Recommended Therapeutic Plan:

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Minimum of 3 – 4 one hour counselling sessions in the rooms, either at Indooroopilly or on Wickham Terrace, prior to commencing walking therapy. There is no obligation to walk, but it is recommended as part of the therapeutic treatment.

Walking sessions are of 45 minutes duration, either at a local park in Indooroopilly or Roma Street Parklands. These sessions will include a brief counselling session, a warm up, then approximately a 25 minute walk, followed by time for a stretch and relaxation de-brief.

Christine offers rebates through Medibank

“Walking is man’s best medicine”
Hippocrates