Lauren Longtoe grew up in Saugerties, New York. She began her career in service as a Youth Advocate for Youth Advocate Programs in Ulster County. She graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in business. While at Marist, she was a member of the equestrian team and was conferred membership into Sigma Alpha Pi, the National Society of Leadership and Success.

After Marist, Lauren moved to Niskayuna, New York and earned a Bachelor of Technology in Therapeutic Horsemanship cum laude from SUNY Cobleskill where she was a member of the Western Equestrian Team and became a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning.

Lauren recently attained a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Capella University and passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam. She completed her pre-licensure hours at Capital Psychology in Schenectady, New York, under the supervision of Tara Benincasa, LMHC, TCTSY-F. During her time at Capella, she was inducted into the Chi Upsilon Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, a Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, in recognition of her scholastic and professional excellence and for furthering the mission of Promoting Excellence in the Profession of Counseling and Counselor Education.

Currently, Lauren is working toward completing the 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in mental health counseling required for full licensure as a mental health counselor in New York State. She is a member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

Lauren is also a Registered Yoga Teacher. She has a dog, a cat, and three horses.