Moving Through It

A post-hike conversation with therapist Moradeyo Adeyi, LCSW on movement, nervous systems, and why healing in community hits different.

Let's be honest… nobody was promised sunshine on May 23rd. But the rain showed up, and so did we.

On May 23rd, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, A Safe Space Mentor partnered with The Honeypot Co. for A Safe Space In Motion the first hike of the season. We took the train up to Beacon, NY, hit the flat trail at Long Dock Park, and let the outdoors do what therapy sometimes can't do alone: get us out of our heads and back into our bodies.

After two hours on the trail, we warmed up at Beahive for our indoor recovery lounge. Food, drinks, and the kind of honest community conversation that reminds you why spaces like this matter.

At the heart of it all was Moradeyo Adeyi, LCSW Safe Spaces’ resident social worker, therapist, and the person who kept us grounded (literally and figuratively) throughout the day. Moradeyo is a clinically licensed therapist in New York and New Jersey, specializing in culturally affirming care for Black and BIPOC individuals navigating anxiety, depression, race-based trauma, and first-generation challenges. She's also an adjunct professor at Columbia and Hunter College, the founder of Lovewell Psychotherapy, and someone who is unapologetically committed to reimagining what wellness looks like.

We sat down with her after the hike to talk about what's really happening in your body when you move, why your cycle is data (not a inconvenience), and what it means to truly reclaim your wellness.

IN CONVERSATION WITH MORADEYO ADEYI, LCSW

1. With over 12 years of clinical experience, what patterns do you most commonly see in clients when it comes to the relationship between physical movement and mental health?

One of the most prominent patterns that I see in patients is a significant disconnection between their minds and bodies. I have found that my patients are asking for more somatic techniques incorporated into our work. Somatic techniques range from body scans or humming, to pilates or yoga.

2. Can you walk us through what is happening in the nervous system when we engage in rhythmic movement like hiking ; specifically around cortisol, the vagal nerve, and emotional regulation?

Hiking is one of the best ways to complete the cortisol stress cycle. In simpler terms, sustained moderate-intensity movement like this activity helps decrease our cortisol levels and actually keeps us regulated for hours afterward. Hiking in groups promotes co-regulation through proximity and activates the social engagement branch of the vagus nerve.

3. Hormonal cycles create very real fluctuations in mood, energy, and even pain tolerance throughout the month. How do you counsel clients to work with their cycle rather than against it when it comes to movement and self-care?

Incorporating more intentional work around cycle syncing is an aspect of my practice that is fairly new. I have been actively working to understand my own relationship to my cycle, and framing my work schedule around that. I find that my clients have not given themselves space to develop a healthier relationship to their cycles. Cycle syncing allows them to explore better ways of living in their body in a more informed and intentional way.

4. A Safe Space Mentor's mission is to democratize wellness and create safe spaces for mental health equity. Why does the who and where of wellness matter as much as the what and what makes a group hike with a community like this different from a solo walk?

A Space Mentor emphasizes creating safe spaces that are accessible. Marginalized communities are not prioritized in the wellness space, and organizations like this help to reimagine what intentional and sustainable wellness could look like for Black and Brown bodies. The group hike is one tangible example to learning emotional regulation techniques in a collaborative way.

5. As an adjunct professor at both Columbia and Hunter College, you are actively shaping the next generation of social workers. What do you want future clinicians to understand about the body, and specifically the bodies of women and femmes, that traditional clinical training often overlooks?

In order for us to be effective and impactful clinicians, we have to be attuned with self. Part of attunement is understanding what is going on in our own bodies. I tailor all of my lesson plans to incorporate somatic work, mindfulness techniques, and role plays. I also include readings on somatic abolitionism, which approaches clinical training from a decolonized and holistic lens.

6. Mental Health Awareness Month is about more than awareness, it's about action. What is one embodied, movement-based practice you would give every person who attended this hike to carry home with them after May 23rd?

You do not have to wait for the perfect circumstances to connect with yourself. The practice of grounding can happen in your day-to-day life. This could look like sitting in the park, sticking your feet in the grass, feeling the textures of the trees in your neighborhood. Emotional regulation tools can be found in your backyard, if you know where to look.

7. We have always-on messaging surrounding the importance of Reclaiming Wellness, unlearning shame, making courageous choices that serve our bodies, and leaning on educational resources to understand our experiences. What does reclaiming wellness mean to you in your own journey?

Working with Asafespace has pushed me to prioritize my own wellness in a genuine and intentional way. I spent a lot of time outdoors as a child, and I've been afforded opportunities to reconnect with my younger self through our retreats and monthly hikes. It has been one of the highlights of my career to be able to give back and care for myself in partnership with such an incredible organization.

8. Can you tell us a bit about Lovewell, how our community can find you, and if you are currently accepting clients?

Lovewell Psychotherapy started in December 2024, focusing on providing holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally affirming care. I predominantly serve Black and Brown folks, and offer both individual and couples therapy. I am currently not taking on new clients until fall 2026. Find me on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok: @alwayslovewell.

You Don't Have to Wait for Perfect Conditions

That's the thing Moradeyo said that we're still thinking about. Grounding doesn't require a weekend retreat or the right gear or a perfectly clear sky. It can look like bare feet on your block, a few slow breaths before you check your phone, or showing up to a hike in the rain because your community said come through.

Wellness isn't a destination and it sure isn't a luxury reserved for people who already feel well. It's a daily, imperfect, ongoing practice of returning to yourself. And it's a whole lot easier when you're not doing it alone.

We'll be back on the trail again soon. When we are, we want you there, rain or shine.

Find Moradeyo: @alwayslovewell on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. Lovewell Psychotherapy opens its waitlist in fall 2026.

Stay connected with us: @asafespace and follow @thehoneypotco for more on the partnership.

With love and muddy boots,

The Honey Pot  x  A Safe Space Mentor