My Credentials & Affiliations:

• • Registered Dietitian – Commission on Dietetic Registration
  • Licensed Dietitian – State of Maine
  • University of Vermont, Bachelor of Science Dietetics
  • University of Vermont, Masters in Education, Exercise Science
  • Sodexo Healthcare Services, Dietetic Internship, Allentown, PA
  • International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians (IFEDD)

My Professional Experience

Before opening New Roots, I had the honor of working with many students as the District Registered Dietitian for Sodexo at the following campuses:

• University of New England
• Colby College
• Maine College of Art
• Southern Maine Community College
• Maine Maritime Academy
• Thomas College

It was in providing nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy for students that I discovered my drive and calling to work with those who struggle with disordered eating.

My experience also includes work in the field of exercise physiology. As a Cardiac Rehab Exercise Physiologist at Doylestown Hospital in PA, I performed new patient evaluations, developed individualized exercise prescriptions, and supported patients in the outpatient setting through their own unique journey toward better health.

Earlier as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Vermont’s Exercise Science Master’s Program, I taught exercise physiology labs, assisted with physical fitness testing for elite athletes in a Human Performance Laboratory, and conducted post fitness test evaluations with clients.

Meet Lauren Withers, Founder of New Roots

As a Registered Dietitian, my passion is to inspire and help individuals learn and integrate nourishing ways to support their mind, body and soul. My work is focused on offering clients the space to reconnect to their own bodies’ innate wisdom in ways that feel safe and trusting.  Not only does this foster better health outcomes, but the ability for a person to feel empowered and more embodied with who they are as people.  A deepened sense of self and mind-body connection is at the root of the work I do.

Unfortunately, the world we live in doesn’t make all the achievement of a healthy mind-body connection very easy. Our pace of life is fast and habits that have often been ingrained since childhood are really hard to break. Instead, many of us struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and hopelessness. Sadly, very few of us are able to feel comfortable in our own bodies and find that we continually strive to be something different than we are. This creates a mind-out-of-body relationship with one’s health.

What I Do

Each person’s health story is unique and deserves special, individualized attention. Building a relationship based on trust is a key first step. My client’s are my teachers and I serve as their guide.  I use a mix of approaches when appropriate to assist my clients in developing a healthier relationship with food, body and exercise including: Intuitive Eating, Health at Every Size®, Mindfulness, Mind Body Nutrition, Motivational Interviewing, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and an overall non-diet, trauma informed, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity affirming approach.

I help people achieve a positive mind-body relationship with food and exercise.