On Mental Health, Movement, and Nature with Lauren Smith

In this episode, Caitlin and Lexie sit down with Lauren Smith, Registered Psychotherapist, to explore the connection between mental health, movement, and spending time in nature. As the weather gets warmer, they discuss how being outdoors and in motion can support emotional well-being.

Drawing on over 16 years of clinical experience, Lauren shares insights from her work supporting individuals, couples, and families through anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and relationship challenges. She also highlights walk-and-talk and wilderness-based therapy, approaches that combine traditional therapy with outdoor settings to support emotional processing, mindfulness, and regulation.
The conversation covers what these approaches can look like, why they may feel more accessible than traditional therapy, and how listeners can incorporate movement, nature, and mindfulness into daily life. It also connects to the work of distress and crisis centres across Ontario, highlighting simple grounding techniques that may help in moments of distress.

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