Guided in Nature LLC

09/09/2026

Just like the seasons in nature, our growth is not linear. Evolution through life phases can sometimes feel cyclical. You might return to something familiar over and over. If you look closely at the bed of this garden, you’ll notice the remnants of past phases serving a different purpose in the same garden. How might you apply that to the season you’re in right now?

Lauren Bathgate, LCSW-C | Perinatal Mental Health Therapist we

09/09/2026

When I was seeking my own care in the perinatal period, it was a game changer when I learned what a superbill was. It opened up this whole world of services that my family and I greatly benefited from, by providers who were experts.

This taught me that you don’t have to stop at “they’re the perfect fit for me, but they don’t take my insurance.” There’s a solution that many people haven’t heard of:

Here’s how to see an out-of-network therapist while still receiving reimbursement from your insurance company. This way, you get to see the provider who knows specifically how to help you, saving precious time and energy during a time in life when that’s invaluable.

Have questions? Reach out to me! I’m happy to help! 💜

🌿 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

09/04/2026

🌿 Happy Feel-Good Friday!

One of the simple pleasures I’ve recently discovered is that I really enjoy updating my email signature card seasonally.

The summer version featured the beach. Here’s my fall version! 🍂

At every position I’ve held professionally, having space to engage my creativity has been important to me. But I’ve also noticed something interesting through my experience of becoming a mother:

The pull to create became stronger.

Did you know that matrescence—the developmental transition into motherhood—can involve changes in the brain that support empathy, social understanding, emotional regulation, adaptability, and resourcefulness?

And those same capacities are closely connected to creativity: generating new ideas, adapting to new situations, and finding creative solutions to problems.

It makes sense, then, that many mothers describe becoming more imaginative, resourceful, and attuned to others after having children.

I’ve certainly experienced this in my own life.

I built an outside-the-box business, Guided in Nature, during the early years of motherhood—and creativity has been woven into so much of that process.

Interestingly, when I work with mothers through values-based therapy or mentorship, creativity is a value that often rises to the top.

I don’t think that’s a coincidence. 🌱

Motherhood asks us to continually adapt, problem-solve, imagine new possibilities, and create something that didn’t exist before. And those skills don’t disappear when we step into our professional roles—they come with us.

So, I’m curious:

If you’re a mother, have you noticed your creativity showing up differently since becoming a parent?

And if you work with mothers, have you noticed this in the women you support?

✨ Bonus Feel-Good Friday questions:

What’s your creative outlet?

How are you giving that part of yourself space to flow?

Wishing you a wonderful Friday and a beautiful weekend. 🤎

With Heart,
Lauren

09/02/2026

I went for a nature walk at a new spot today. It wasn’t for a therapy session. It was just for me. When’s the last time you did something, big or small, just for you?

What was it?

Let’s create a self-care “menu” from each other’s ideas so we can save it and come back on those days you have a few minutes but aren’t sure how you want to spend them. 🫶👇

Tag a friend who deserves some TLC. 💜

09/02/2026

Happy September! If you’re a mom looking for a down-to-earth space to be in community with other moms who get it and who want support evolving through the seasons of motherhood, this is for you!

Fall dates for Flourish are live! 🍂✨

See you out there ☀️

08/14/2026

08/13/2026

“Mommy, look what I found for you!” 🫶

08/10/2026

📣 1 in 5!

You DO know someone, or you ARE someone, who had/has/may in the future develop a perinatal mental health complication. They don’t typically go away on their own. They require treatment (i.e.- therapy, medication if/when appropriate, holistic treatment and care coordination when needed).

This is not to scare anyone. It is to encourage everyone to take an active part in their mental health. It is our responsibility as adults to educate ourselves and know what to look for. In the perinatal period and beyond.

Expert care is essential. When you’re feeling at your worst, you need to be able to trust that your provider knows how to help you, and knows when to refer to another provider or a different level of care (for example, in an acute crisis such as psychosis).

When you’re checking in on your people, center their experience vs. your anxiety about their response.

Anxious question= “You’re not feeling suicidal, are you?” (This shuts down the conversation. Most won’t say yes to this.)

Centering their experience= “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed [sad, distant, exhausted, different, etc]. I care about you. How are you doing, really? …Sometimes people have thoughts [during pregnancy, after birth] that scare them. I want you to know I am a safe person you can share with no matter what. I’m here for you.”

Find a local perinatal mental health therapist here:

https://psidirectory.com/w:21234

1 in 5 women and birthing people will experience a perinatal mental health disorder. That makes it the most common complication of childbirth: more common than gestational diabetes, more common than preeclampsia.

And yet we so often only talk about it after a tragedy happens.

We have to change that. Support shouldn’t be a reaction; it should be a resource people know about from the start. Whether you’re 2 weeks postpartum or 2 years out, whether you have a diagnosis or you’re just not sure why you feel this way, help is here.

Get help now ⤵️

🔵 Call or text the Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 800-944-4773. You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
🔵 Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262
🔵 In a crisis situation, call or text the National Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
🔵 Download the Connect by PSI app in the App Store or Google Play Store
🔵 Visit Postpartum.net for additional programs and resources.

You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you WILL be well 💙

08/10/2026

Inspo for getting through rocky times 🐛

Save for a rainy day when you need a reminder 🫶