Meet Audrey Boxwell: Psychotherapist, Walker, Hiker, Chaplain and Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Audrey Boxwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Audrey, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I practice psychotherapy with patients and clients while walking, as well as group therapy and workshops on my PsycheHikes®. I came up with this concept when realizing that we think more clearly, more deeply, and with more heart when our bodies are in motion; (“when we move our bodies we move our minds”) as I discovered in graduate school when the only way I could meditate was by moving one foot in front of the other! I realized that if it worked for me, it would work for others and that moving with individuals side by side rather than face to face was a more relaxed, easier, and more joyful way to discover the reasons for our pain and/or confusion.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a Psychotherapist and Chaplain whereby I meld both hats by walking beside my patients and clients outdoors in parks, mountain trails, or greenbelts wherever they exist. I find that walking allows individuals to become more soul centered, less critical, more creative, and looking forward to what is next–rather than getting stuck in old histories of “woulda, shoulda, coulda!” I believe this is a therapy for everyone who wants to “move forward” with their lives. I also developed a program called PsycheHike® where I take groups and or/individuals on mountain trails to work on all kinds of issues: business (team projects), personal, life purpose, etc. PsyheHikes® are well suited for business, religious/spiritual, and adult camp retreats. As far as “where I am today,” it’s always been via sheer determination and trusting that walk and talk therapy is healthier and more expedient than traditional therapy, (although all therapy is useful!) And especially during this pandemic, meeting outside the office is safer and healthier than inside an office suite. Presenting a new way of doing things (in my case counseling) is never easy, but I continue to spread the word through word of mouth, (available thru my website www.audreyboxwell.com) and now, through my new book, From Sole to Soul; a daily prescription for moving forward in your life. I’m still learning lessons regarding walk and talk therapy–my best advice is, “believe that you can, and you will!”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In a perfect world, post pandemic, I would take them to many of the landmarks making Colorado unique; Red Rocks, the mountain towns with their unique landscapes, shops and restaurants. My favorite type of vacation begins with our beautiful hiking trails throughout the state, walking through old mining towns, and enjoying unique restaurants, both inside and out. During the summer, places such as Aspen, Vail, and Telluride have amazing summer programs (wine and food festivals, concerts, ballet, jazz and movie festivals, etc. Central City and its Opera is also one of my go-tos for either my opera-loving friends or those who want to gamble! And I love Palisades during peach season as well as their wine-tasting week-ends, wherein the vendors and locals are so friendly and more than willing to please. Lastly, the Broadmoor with its golf-courses, restaurants and the zoo is fabulous as is the cog-rail ride up to Pike’s Peak. Closer to home, I love walking, eating, drinking and shopping around Cherry Creek and Larimer Square and for history and art, the Colorado History Museum, the Denver Art Museum as well as the Friday night art shows along south Santa Fe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My ideology expanded exponentially after enrolling in Science of Mind studies created by Ernest Holmes (in the early 20th ) and taught through Centers for Spiritual Living (previously known as the Church of Religious Science–not to be confused with Scientology!) The main tenants of science of mind teachings is that “thoughts are things;” in other words, what we think about, we bring about–giving us the power over our minds to change our thinking in order to change our lives. Hence, the teachers, ministers and speakers teaching/revealing these concepts became the heroes in the trajectory of my life (too many to name!) Recognizing that I had the power to create/and or change my reality helped me to stretch beyond my comfort zone and accomplish things I never imagined possible.

Website: www.audreyboxwell.com
Instagram: walk.therapy
Linkedin: PsycheHike
Twitter: @DrAudreyBoxwell
Facebook: Dr. Audrey Boxwell

Image Credits
I certify that my photos are by Carl Studna Photography Katie Van Buron Photography Mark Gelotte Graphic Artist