Workout Combines Fitness With Talk Therapy

They work on their arms and get things off their chests. It's personal training with a twist. A workout for the body and mind.

"It screws up your mind about it because when you know the end result you don't want to work the process."

Judy Torel is a psychological counselor and personal trainer who brings psychotherapy off the couch and into the gym.

My specialty is helping people combine the body and the mind together so they can be having the most empowering experiences in living their life.

Helmut Hirsch has tackled his problems while working on his physique for some 10 years.

"So what Judy does is she'll have you talk about something that is a problem in your life while you're panting away, dying, and then you'll talk about something that is really very sensitive that you have trouble with."

Torel uses workout therapy to help clients with a range of issues including addictions, depression, anxiety and relationships.

"You have much more of a chance of a click, an insight that might not have occurred if you're just sitting in a therapy room just talking passively in a resting state."

As for privacy, torel says if clients aren't comfortable discussing particular issues on the gym floor, the head to her office and talk behind closed doors.

Hirsch generally has no problem opening up in the open. What's important, he says, is that he feels better ater each session.

"Judy's played a big role in helping me live i think a better, happier life."

This entry last modified on: January 11, 2012 11:57 AM