Sean Lappin is the Managing Director of Connected Self, a South Australian agency that provides therapeutic services, services to children and young people in schools, out of home care and disability services, training services and consulting services.

Sean has had over 30 years’ experience in policy, service design, implementation and delivery, research, systems reform (out of home care and responding to homelessness) and program delivery. Sean has a strong commitment to building community capacity and connection to assist those who are marginalised and vulnerable to participate more fully in community life. He continues to advocate for preventative and early intervention approaches, particularly for children and young people and their families.

Sean has a strong commitment to family and community, and it is these connections which have been a key source of strength during times of challenge, as well as a source of joy during others. His personal journey over the past 25 years has also focussed on building mindful awareness, using a range of meditation approaches, and other practices, to feel grounded and to support general wellbeing.

Over the past ten years Sean has brought this mindful awareness to his love of nature through short walks in the park, day bushwalks and multiday walks in remote locations. These experiences provided a sense of deep connection to natural spaces that led to enduring feelings of contentment. After exploring this further it became evident that there was a great deal of research which evidence the benefits of connecting to nature for physical and mental health and wellbeing, including lowering stress and enhancing focus.

In 2022 Sean went on to study as a nature Therapy Guide which effectively opens the door for others to support their connection to nature. He also maintains his own Nature Therapy practice and continues to build mindful awareness in both his professional and personal life.