Guided in Nature LLC

02/20/2026

🌿 Willow Tree Guided Meditation for Acceptance & Self-Compassion (12 Minutes) 🌿

In this gentle, nature-inspired guided meditation, you’ll be invited to settle your nervous system through grounding breathwork and then journey to a peaceful willow tree by the water.

The willow teaches us something powerful:
It survives storms not by resisting them — but by bending.

This 12-minute meditation is designed to help you:

Regulate your nervous system through extended exhale breathing
Release tension in the body
Cultivate acceptance without resignation
Practice self-compassion during difficult moments
Soften self-criticism
Feel grounded, rooted, and steady

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, self-critical, bracing against circumstances, or simply needing a moment of gentleness — this practice is for you.

The willow reminds us:
You are allowed to bend.
You are allowed to be human.
You can move with the wind and remain rooted.

✨ Best experienced with headphones in a quiet space.
✨ You may choose to place one hand on your heart during the practice.

If this meditation resonates, like, subscribe, and share with someone who might need a little softness today.

With warmth,
Lauren
Guided in Nature LLC

🌿 Willow Tree Guided Meditation for Acceptance & Self-Compassion (12 Minutes) 🌿In this gentle, nature-inspired guided meditation, you’ll be invited to sett...

02/17/2026

Do you feel better when it’s sunny and you can get outside? If so, this is your kind of therapy. Check it out and elevate your therapy experience this spring & summer. 🌸🌞

02/11/2026

On my morning walk today, I snapped some photos of scenes in nature that caught my attention. At the time, I didn’t consciously connect the patterns. But as I moved about the rest of my morning it hit me: these are all symbolic ways we can choose to respond in situations where we’re feeling challenged in some way.

Let’s walk through this together:

1. Think of a time when you recently faced a challenge. Examples: Relationship Conflict, Work or Parenting Stress, etc.

2. Now look at the images and find the one that corresponds to how you managed the situation.

3. Let’s break down the symbolic significance the images could represent:

✈️ Fly— Maybe you booked it out of there or felt a strong pull away from the stressor. This can look & feel like avoidance rooted in self-protection.

🪑Sit— Maybe you figured out a way to sit with whatever discomfort was arising & trusted you could get through it. Sometimes this looks like taking a breather, grounding, practicing affirmations.

🌥️ Look— Maybe you zoomed out from the situation & found a larger perspective than the stressor itself. This can look like considering the bigger picture & getting curious about the situation.

🥶 Freeze— Maybe you felt stuck & unsure how to move forward. Sometimes this can look like zoning out, numbing, distracting from the stressor.

Note: These are just some ways we might respond to stress. I didn’t include “fight” or “fawn” here, for example.

So, now that you have your image of how you responded to the stressor, what comes to mind? Do you notice a “default mode” that you go into when stressed? (We all have them).

View this exercise not as a lesson on what’s “good” or “bad,” but as information about your nervous system and what you may need when faced with stress. If your default mode is in some way adding to your stress, know that there are supportive ways to find relief.

Save this post & share with a friend for times when stress is high and you need a menu of options for support.

Want more specific tools for stress management, conflict resolution, or finding harmony? Follow and reach out for 1:1 support on our site.

02/08/2026

🏥Have you ever experienced heightened anxiety related to your health or the health of someone in your circle? If so, you’re not alone. Health anxiety is relatively common (4-13% of the general population & up to 20% in medical settings). 

☔️”Health anxiety” is an umbrella term that can encompass many different concerns. It’s important to consult a licensed mental health provider to differentiate among the various underlying contributing factors. That way, you can find the right type of support so you can experience relief.

🤝The number one way to tell if it’s time to reach out for more support is if the thoughts, fears, or concerns are taking up a disproportionate amount of time or are causing significant distress or decreased ability to engage in your daily activities the way you’d like.

❤️‍🩹Here’s a 4-step model that blends traditional evidence-based care with nature-informed therapy for the added benefits nature provides our nervous systems. In therapy sessions, we walk through each of these steps at your own pace, guided every step of the way until you’re feeling relief.

🧐Curious to learn if this could help you? Reach out for a consultation or book a new therapy appointment for customized support & guidance: www.guidedinnature.com

♻️Save & share with a friend who could use some relief from health anxiety.

(📸Click the image to expand to full view. Start at the bottom & work your way up.)

02/04/2026

I wish more parents knew that untreated mental health concerns in the perinatal, postpartum, and early caregiving years do not just go away on their own. 🚨👇

Approximately 1 in 5 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers will experience a perinatal mental health disorder. Untreated, symptoms like irritability, rage, sleep disturbances, relationship problems, intrusive thoughts (to name a few) can persist for years.

The good news? They are highly treatable with the right care and in the right timing.

If you haven’t been feeling like yourself or something just feels off, reach out for support. If you’re family planning or expecting, get linked early so you have support in place proactively!

www.guidedinnature.com

01/28/2026

What’s your nature vibe?
(Sunrise or sunset):

01/28/2026

What’s your nature vibe?
(Preferred place):

01/28/2026

What’s your nature vibe?
(Preferred scent):

01/26/2026

🌿 Wondering If Therapy Is the Right Fit for You? 🌿

At Guided in Nature, I work with individuals—especially mothers and parents—who are feeling overwhelmed, depleted, stuck, or simply longing to feel more like themselves again.

If you’ve been carrying a lot lately… you’re not alone. And you don’t have to navigate it by yourself.

Here are some of the common concerns I support clients with:

✨ Pregnancy, Postpartum & Parenthood

• Anxiety during pregnancy or after birth
• Postpartum mood changes
• Identity shifts after becoming a parent
• Birth processing
• Adjusting to life with multiple children
• Feeling disconnected from yourself or your partner

🌊 Anxiety & Overwhelm

• Racing thoughts
• Chronic worry
• Perfectionism
• Feeling constantly “on edge”
• Decision fatigue
• Overstimulation and burnout

🌱 Stress, Burnout & Emotional Exhaustion

• Caregiver fatigue
• Compassion fatigue
• Work–life imbalance
• Feeling numb or depleted
• Difficulty resting or slowing down

🍃 Life Transitions

• Career changes
• Becoming a parent
• Relationship shifts
• Grief and loss
• Moving through a new season of life
• Wanting something to change—but not knowing what

🌿 Mind–Body & Nature-Centered Support

My work integrates:
• Mindfulness
• Self-compassion
• Nervous system regulation
• Nature-informed therapy
• Walk-and-talk sessions
• Seasonal and holistic approaches
• Remote sessions via telehealth

The people I work with are high-functioning, thoughtful, capable humans… who quietly feel overwhelmed inside.

Therapy here isn’t about “fixing” you.
It’s about helping you reconnect with your inner wisdom, regulate your nervous system, and move through this season with more steadiness, clarity, and care.

🤍 If something in this list resonated with you, that matters.

You’re welcome to reach out for a free consultation to see if working together feels like the right next step: www.guidedinnature.com

—
Lauren Bathgate, LCSW-C, PMH-C
Founder, Guided in Nature LLC
Nature-Informed Therapy in Baltimore

🌿 Helping mothers and caregivers slow down, breathe deeper, and find their way back to themselves.

01/24/2026

🌿 Rooted in transparency. Guided in care.

Wondering what therapy might actually cost?

Many people are surprised to learn it’s often more affordable than expected.

I created this simple guide to help you estimate session costs with me at Guided in Nature, whether you’re using Cigna or out-of-network benefits.

Transparency matters.
Care comes first.
And I’ll always encourage you to verify your benefits so you can make informed choices 🤍

👇 Read the full guide below.

___________________________________________________________________

🌿 Wondering What Therapy Might Cost? Let’s Make It Simpler.

Many people are surprised to learn that therapy is often much more affordable than they expect — especially when insurance is involved.

Below is a simple guide to help you estimate what your sessions with me might cost and decide what feels right for you.

While I’m always happy to offer general guidance about anticipated costs, I strongly encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to verify your specific mental health benefits prior to our first session. Because plans vary widely, your insurer is the best source of accurate, up-to-date information.

💛 If You Have Cigna / Evernorth (In-Network)

I am an in-network provider with Cigna / Evernorth for outpatient mental health services.

This often means:
✔️ you pay a copay — commonly $20–$50 per session
✔️ or coinsurance — often 10–30% of the contracted rate
✔️ some plans require you to pay the full contracted amount until your deductible is met
✔️ telehealth is commonly covered
✔️ no referral is typically needed

🌿 If I’m Out-of-Network for You (You Have Another Insurance)

If I’m not in-network with your plan, you may still have out-of-network benefits.

That usually looks like:
✔️ paying the session fee at the time of service
✔️ receiving a superbill
✔️ submitting it to insurance
✔️ plans may reimburse 50–80% of the allowed amount after your deductible is met

Many people are pleasantly surprised by what their plan covers.

✨ Therapy as an Investment in Your Well-Being

Clients often compare therapy to other wellness supports — like a gym membership, childcare help, or body-based care.

Therapy is an investment in:
🌱 emotional health
🌱 relationships
🌱 parenting
🌱 nervous-system regulation
🌱 long-term resilience

📋 How to Estimate Your Cost

You can get a good sense by checking:
• your mental health copay
• whether your deductible applies
• if you have out-of-network coverage

You’re also welcome to reach out — I can share general information and help you know what questions to ask.

🤍 My Promise at Guided in Nature

Before you begin ongoing sessions, I will:
• explain typical cost structures
• offer general guidance about insurance processes
• answer your questions
• encourage you to verify benefits directly with your insurer

No surprises. No pressure. Just clarity and care.

🌿
— Lauren Bathgate, LCSW-C, PMH-C | Guided in Nature

Booking Now: www.guidedinnature.com

01/19/2026

✨Are you a mama who needs her pink back?

When flamingos have their babies, they turn white. It takes the right kind of support and care for them to gradually return to their vibrant pink color. 💖

So, how can you tell you might need some more support? Here are just a few common signs👇

⚪️ You just feel “off” and not like yourself.

⚪️ The things you once enjoyed feel more effortful or less enjoyable.

⚪️ Relationship strain is stressing you out.

So, what can working with a therapist do to help you? 👇

🦩Offers a space to get back in sync with who you really are.

🦩Provides guidance so you can tune into your own wants, needs, and values.

🦩Builds skills that benefit you and your relationships—communication strategies, expectation management, boundaries, & more.

Ready to take the first step in turning a new feather?

Reach out for a complimentary consultation and we’ll walk this path together. 🦩🦩

P.S.— What do you call a flock of flamingos?

A FLAMBOYANCE! ✨🦩🦩🦩✨

We’re all in this together! 💖

www.guidedinnature.com