GET CERTIFIED:
The run walk talk®
LEVEL 1 PRACTITIONER training
We are delighted to announce our Cohort 4 Run Walk Talk® Certification application is now open, with learning starting October 1, 2025. And for the first time ever, up to 27 hours of continuing education are available for licensed clinicians! See below for all the details.
Course Format: Remote, included Recorded Video + Live Video Calls
When: October 1, 2025 - December 19, 2025 for the course, with an additional year of monthly group consultation in 2026
Videos are released on the following dates: October 1, October 15, October 29, November 12, November 26, December 10
Live Video Calls will be held at 9am Pacific Time on the following dates (all Fridays): October 10, October 24, November 7, November 21, December 5, December 19
The course includes six 90-minute recorded videos and six 60-minute live video calls over the course of twelve weeks, for 15 hours of continuing education. Participants have the opportunity to earn 12 hours of continuing education (1 hour per month) in 2026 by attending and completing a post-test/evaluation for monthly group consultation calls, which are held at 9am Pacific Time on the third or fourth Thursday of every month (full schedule TBA in fall, and those who can’t make it live will be able to watch a recording and complete the post-test/evaluation for their CE credit). Additionally, course participants will be required to complete video post-tests and homework assignments, including movement-based work, written work, and a final exam, totaling an additional 12 hours approximately (homework and exam activities will not be counted toward CE time awarded). All participants will be provided with informed consent and waiver documentation that they are free to adapt for their own practice.
Educational Goals: Participants will learn to safely, ethically, and effectively engage clients in physical movement-based interventions, including running and walking, to aid clients in achieving positive treatment outcomes.
Measurable Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to identify three major contributors to the development of the field of walking/running therapy
2. Participants will be able to identify four values of the Run Walk Talk® method
3. Participants will be able to identify three dimensions of the Run Walk Talk® method
Instructor: Sepideh Saremi, MSW, LCSW, Founder of Run Walk Talk®
Certificates: Course Completion certificates will be awarded by the end of December 2025 in exchange for a completed evaluation form and completion of all course requirements. Certificates are valid through December 2026 and can be renewed annually for $150 USD, which includes ongoing monthly peer consultation groups, listing in the Run Walk Talk® Practitioner Directory, and the opportunity to earn up to 12 CEs per year.
Continuing Education: The Level 1 Certification Program meets the qualifications for 27 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Run Walk Talk® is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs (CAMFT Approval Number 1032871). Run Walk Talk® maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Target Audience: This course is designed for mental health clinicians and allied professionals who work with individuals, couples, and groups and wish to incorporate physical activity safely and effectively in their talk-based work.
Cost: $1695 USD if paid in a single payment or three payments of $595 ($1785 total if paying in installments) for licensed clinicians or other professionals. $895 USD if paid in a single payment, or three payments of $333 for pre-licensed clinicians or students in an accredited mental health program.
Refunds: The course fee is nonrefundable except in the case of illness or medical emergency, in which case fees will be refunded within three to five business days (the refund amount will be prorated if the course has already started).
Accommodations: To request accommodations for special needs, please email the Program Administrator at sep@runwalktalk.com.
Grievances: To obtain the grievance policy or report a grievance please email sep@runwalktalk.com or call 424-270-5427.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s Run Walk Talk®? Run Walk Talk® is a trademarked method of psychotherapy and coaching that combines mindful running and walking with talking to help people move their lives forward. Developed by Sepideh Saremi, LCSW, Run Walk Talk® has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Fast Company, Runner’s World, and many other outlets as an innovative way to get therapy.
What’s the Certification? The Run Walk Talk® Level 1 Practitioner Certification provides the foundation and tools you need to integrate running and walking into your practice, and to do it safely, ethically, and effectively. This online course is a mix of recorded material and live instruction conducted by the founder of Run Walk Talk®.
Who’s the Certification for? This training and certification is for therapists in every stage of their journey (licensed, pre-licensed, and students), as well as formally trained coaches and other helping professionals who help clients with behavior/life/business success. You do NOT have to be an experienced athlete or a competitive runner to become a Certified Run Walk Talk® Practitioner - you do need to have some prior training and experience in working with people, which is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to assure the training will be a good fit for the participants and maintain the integrity of the Run Walk Talk® method.
How will the Certification help me? You will be trained in the Run Walk Talk® method and become familiar with its philosophy and the research that informs it. You will learn how to integrate running and walking into your practice, how to do it safely for yourself and your clients, and when it is and isn’t appropriate. You’ll learn how to think about running and walking in a deep, clinical way. You’ll learn how to talk about Run Walk Talk® and your practice, and learn best practices in managing yourself and your practice as a Run Walk Talk® Practitioner. You’ll also get placement on the Run Walk Talk® Certified Practitioner Directory on runwalktalk.com, providing visibility for your practice as well as ongoing support from your peers and from Sepideh, the founder of Run Walk Talk®, in monthly group consultation (included for one year with your course fee, and available on an ongoing basis for a nominal annual fee).
Are CEs available? Yes! You can earn up to 27 continuing education credits in the Level 1 Run Walk Talk® Certification Program. See above for all the details on how it works and our status as a CE provider.
THE TESTIMONIALS
Not sure yet if this training is right for you? Here are some things previous cohort members had to say about the course:
“I loved the instruction style - the content of each week was really engaging and relevant. I liked the homework assignments which challenged me but were very accessible. And I enjoyed being in community with other practitioners who are also interested in integrating movement into practice.”
“I loved everything about it. The content, presentation, the style of presenting, the homework were all excellent, but most importantly for me, I had easy access to the recordings and notes to use when I couldn't make it to a live class.”
“Great content, Sepideh’s energy and genuineness added to the presentation, writing assignments, exam.”
“This course definitely exceeded my expectations, especially with the resources that Sepideh offered (intake forms, PowerPoint, articles, how to talk to reporters, etc.). She is very engaging in the training sessions and makes the information easily to comprehend. She is also very authentic and supportive, and I appreciate her genuine interest in seeing the clinicians grow using the Run Walk Talk method. The homework was a great way to further understand my own movement practice and opened up my awareness of play and movement, especially using the matrix.”
“I walked away from each session excited, feeling like I learned something new that will be helpful as I begin to launch Run Walk Talk in my practice.”
“A clear outline on how to merge movement with body-based therapy.”
“I've described it as an incredible source of information but a wonderful process of self reflection around movement as well.”
“The course is a great balance of teaching the logistics of what is necessary to start a practice based on Run Walk Talk, as well as creating space to explore your own identity as a Run Walk Talk practitioner/clinician.”
“A practical and engaging introduction to Run Walk Talk that allows for collaboration with like-minded clinicians.”
“An awesome opportunity to expand your skills and integrate movement into your practice.”
“This course not only brings a better understanding of movement and play, but also opens up creativity for how therapy can be provided. It is thorough and well-organized, covering ways on applying the method as well as providing support on the business side of things (ie: intake forms, publicity/talking to reporters, etc).”
“A beautifully blended focus on the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional aspects of movement therapy. I appreciated the application of theory and research and how Sep made it all come to life by sharing (while protecting confidentiality) her experiences with Run Walk Talk clients.”
“I especially appreciated the DEPTH of the content. I knew I would learn a lot, I just didn't realize how deep and meaningful the modality would reach. I also appreciated Sepideh's vulnerability in her own homework, as well as in how she led the course each week. The homework was meaningful as well, as it helped me to dig into my own interaction and story of movement, which I think is critical to do before trying to support others in this way. I also really appreciated the opportunity to connect with other clinicians and I feel like the ongoing consultation and community will be extremely valuable.”
“Really engaging and practice-based presentation by the instructor and good facilitation of discussion with the other participants. I enjoyed the exchanges with the other practitioners and hearing their insights based on their different backgrounds and experiences.”
“Sepi was so flexible, organized, thorough and on it! We learned what we needed to and there was a lot of thought put into how that happened.”
“I appreciate the information provided and discussion encouraged between peers. I particularly enjoyed the depth to which various lenses/frameworks were discussed in relation to the Run Walk Talk philosophy and practice. I also loved that you included a plethora of resources each week to further our knowledge and curiosity. I have read several already and look forward to reading the rest. The homework assignments encouraged self-reflection and a deeper understanding of why we move. This is something I think about often as part of continued self-growth, but I have never put it in writing. I love that I have a "story" to share.”
“Expand your practice to help prevent your own burnout and to bring enriching work to your clientele; feel confident in doing something different and worthwhile! The course will help you to connect with your own movement and encourage you to think about other ways of accessing mental health care. It's worth taking the time to do the course so you can learn the ins and outs of this work and to connect with other like-minded clinicians.”
“I have weekly supervision and these past several weeks have spent much of my time talking about what I have been learning in the training. I think the one thing that stands out to me in my communication is explaining the depth of the modality and that it's not "just" running or walking with a client, but that it's utilizing movement to actually facilitate change, growth, and healing, as well as why/how movement facilitates that.”
“I have researched and been involved in mental health and movement for years. This training is high quality and Sepideh builds on the existing research with her experience in the field. This education is valuable.”
“This course is not your typical CEU course and it is well worth it if you are interested in expanding the way you work with clients and need to feel more confident in doing so. Sep is a leader in this niche line of work and you will feel supported by her throughout the course and after you complete it!”
“This is a wonderful introduction to the practice of Run Walk Talk therapy. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations and the dynamic exchanges with the other participants. I feel as though the experience has been thought-provoking and it has definitely given me a number of useful tools to take into my own work as well as a network of fellow practitioners who I can call on for support and advice. Highly recommended!”
“I am thrilled to be certified as a Run Walk Talk practitioner. The information Sep included in the course presentations and the discussions encouraged between colleagues was in depth and incredibly valuable. I particularly enjoyed the various lenses/frameworks discussed in relation to the Run Walk Talk philosophy and practice. I was hesitant to register for the course because I am not a licensed clinician. I have a masters in counseling and I am a practicing mindset coach. I am so happy I took the leap! The Run Walk Talk course has furthered my interest in the integration of movement and mental wellbeing. Thank you, Sep!”
