Episode 374: On Mental Health, Movement, and Nature with Lauren Smith

About this episode

The episode explores the connection between mental health, movement, and nature with insights from psychotherapist 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. To connect with support related to this episode, or for anything else going on in your life, please visit www.dcontario.org/locations to find your nearest…

People in this episode

Hosts: Caitlin, Lexie

Guest: Lauren Smith

Topics covered

• mental health
• movement
• nature
• therapy
• mindfulness
• emotional well-being

Keywords

• mental health
• movement
• nature therapy
• mindfulness
• emotional processing
• anxiety
• trauma

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Distress and Crisis Ontario

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