Dear Hazel

My name is Vivien van de Riet and I’m a mature MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy student at Staffordshire University.

I noticed you offer Walk and Talk Therapy (WTT) and found your article published in ‘inyourcommunity.com’ very interesting.

I am currently preparing my MSc research dissertation on how menopausal women experience Walk and Talk Therapy. As such, I am wondering if you have any clients (past or present) who might like to participate in my dissertation. My dissertation proposal has been approved by the ethics committee of Staffordshire University.

I am particularly interested in exploring the impact of WTT in respect of psychological menopausal symptoms (such as “foggy head’’, mood swings, irritability, problems focusing, stress, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression…….).

To participate in this study, participants must:
• Be over 18 years of age;
• Have participated in at least one Walk and Talk Therapy session in the UK; and
• At the time of the Walk and Talk Therapy session be either perimenopausal or postmenopausal but still experiencing symptoms (self-diagnosis is acceptable).
• However the primary reason for participating in the Walk and Talk Therapy does not have to be related to menopausal issues.

If you feel that you are able to ask any of your clients whether they would like to participate then I would be very grateful if you would forward my details. I have a poster explaining in more detail the research being conducted which I could send to you (for some reason I cannot attach it to this message).

I also note that you are a member of a WTT group and, if you feel it appropriate, please could you forward this request to members of your group?

By sharing experiences of WTT I hope that we can help shape future additional therapeutic options for menopausal women. If you have any queries please contact me on: v010050i@student.staffs.ac.uk

Thank you for your time.

Best Wishes

Vivien van de Riet