Walk this way

In their second session, the award-winning coach Kim Morgan engages her client Hazel’ in a little walking therapy, and helps her discover a gateway to dealing with her grief

Since our first session together, I had thought a lot about Hazel. Her partner, Sarah*, had been diagnosed with a degenerative disease, their life together had changed, and they were both grieving the life they used to have.

Hazel had left the last session fired up about doing some coaching exercises with her partner; I just hoped that Sarah had responded to this idea with enthusiasm. As soon as Hazel arrived, I suspected that things had not gone well. She looked tired and deflated. I asked her gently, ‘How are you arriving today?’

Hazel looked up at me briefly and then put her head in her hands and sobbed. I sat quietly, only moving to hand her a box of tissues.

Eventually, Hazel resurfaced, wiping her eyes, and shaking her head in despair. She stood up and paced around the room. Then she let out something like a growl: ‘Arrrgh! I just don’t know what do with myself. I can’t even think straight.’

I had an idea. ‘How do you feel about getting outside and walking together?’ Hazel looked directly at me for the first time that day. ‘Er… yes, please! If it’s allowed?’