South Tampa is not just easy on the eyes but also easy on the mind. Yep, you heard it right. The southern region offers plenty of suitable locations for outdoor therapy, including close proximity to aquatic environments and open green places that are refreshing to anxious minds.
Clients have been quite vocal about their preference for outdoor therapy due to its casual nature. The sessions are less daunting, and many had an easier time opening up to their therapists.
When it comes to walk-and-talk therapy, it doesn’t really get better than South Tampa. From Bayshore Boulevard to parks and scenic waterfronts, there is a lot to explore and exercise both your body and mind, and help you let go of the stress.
Want to know more about the best spots for walk and therapy in South Tampa? Keep reading to find out!
Ballast Point Park
Ballast Point Park, located at 5300 Boulevard, is one of the best places for walk and talk therapy, offering amazing views of downtown Tampa skylines as well as the Hillsborough Bay. It has a well-maintained loop trail that you can stroll along with your therapist while enjoying the view and taking in the surrounding greenery to refresh your senses.
There is also a fishing pier (temporarily closed), a boat ramp, and even a seafood shack for you to dine at whenever you get hungry. Wide green lawns with oaks and hanging moss, as well as water birds and palm trees, add to the park’s beauty. It’s the perfect spot to relax, refresh, and help awaken your mind.
Cypress Point Park
Cypress Point Park overlooks the beach and provides access to the sandy shores of Old Tampa Bay. The park features a 0.9-mile paved trail and a decent nature trail, so you can choose the path according to your mood. Let’s face it. Not all of us are built alike, or sometimes, we are just not in the mood to step out of our comfort zone. This is why diverse points, such as the Cypress Point Park, form a suitable choice for both types of clients without forcing anyone into something they are not comfortable with.
Perhaps the best thing about walk-and-talk therapy, besides the overall casual outlook, is that you get to enjoy the scenic surroundings and notice things about your environment you normally overlook. By opting for outdoor therapy at the Cypress Park, you are activating both sides of your brain (emotional and rational), allowing you to improve focus and reduce stress.
Picnic Island Park
The Picnic Island Park is as leisurely as the name sounds. Featuring an 18-hole disc golf course, it is one of the top 10 golf courses in Florida. The spacious green surroundings are perfect for outdoor therapy. The spaces are large enough to muffle any unwanted noises, while background noises continue to wash through your therapy session without disturbing you or your therapist. It lets you appreciate things you take for granted and see beauty in the little joys of life while you lighten your emotional load.
There is a special area reserved for picnics and barbecue, along with tables and chairs, as well as canoeing opportunities to explore Old Tampa Bay. The best time to visit the park for a walk and talk therapy session would be during weekdays, in the afternoons or mornings, to avoid the hustle and bustle and take your session in peace. However, if the sound doesn’t bother you, the park is open from sunrise to sunset, daily.
Bayshore Boulevard Trail
Bayshore Boulevard Trail is one of the longest, continuous trails in the United States, about 4.5 miles long, that stretches along the Hillsborough Bay, from Gandy Boulevard in the south to Columbus Statue Park in the north. It’s 10 feet wide, offering ample foot space as well as scenic views of Old Hyde Park.
Besides the well-maintained trail, suitable for walking, running, and biking, there’s also a beautiful view. You can enjoy the sight of the beach while traversing through the shade of the tall green trees bending over your pathway. Both of these elements have the power to trigger your parasympathetic nervous system, which suppresses stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, while increasing mood boosters in your bloodstream. All the more reason to pay a visit to the Bayshore Boulevard Trail on your next therapy session, right?
Davis Islands Trail
The Davis Islands Trail, located on the Davis Islands in South Tampa, is a decent 1.5-mile-long trail that stretches along waterfronts like Hillsborough Bay and Seddon Channel. You can always take a breather on one of the benches along the trail. These offer you a space to sit and reflect on the things you have worked on during your outdoor therapy session.
Apart from that, since you are traversing the coastal strip, you might even get the chance to spot different wildlife. Dolphins and pelicans are a common sight on the trail, adding to the excitement and appeal that comes with walking on the Davis Islands. Fountains along the way may further enhance your experience in your session, creating the soothing sound of water that many find calming.
Conclusion
You’ll find plenty of spots in South Tampa for walk and talk therapy, from frollicking beaches to wide open spaces, with trails meandering through the areas to add to your convenience. Being near greenery and aquatic environments will also have positive effects on your mental health. Both are known to suppress stress hormones while releasing endorphins into your bloodstream.
South Tampa is one such city where you will find these environments overlapping, giving you opportunities to make the best of your surroundings and incorporate them into your session with your counselor. These therapy sessions give you unique opportunities to heal, reflect, and focus.
Schedule a Session
Curious about walk-and-talk therapy or wondering if it’s the right fit for you? We’re here to help. Whether you’re ready to book your first session or just want to learn more, reach out to schedule a free consultation or set up an appointment that works with your schedule. Let’s take the first step together.
