• Lisa Zemanovich, Registered Social Worker

    Hi! I’m Lisa (she/her)

    Do you ever notice that one part of you understands exactly why you react the way you do, yet another part still feels stuck in survival mode? Maybe you know your triggers, can explain your patterns, and can tell yourself you’re safe – and yet your body doesn’t seem to get the message. You might walk past something that reminds you of the past and feel a knee-jerk reaction before you even have time to think.

    If this sounds familiar, you’re not failing at healing – it simply means that your nervous system is still carrying something that hasn’t yet been fully processed.

    As a trained trauma therapist, the primary lens I work through is the body-mind connection. While insight and understanding are important pieces of the healing process, trauma doesn’t live only in our thoughts. Our bodies often continue to hold what our minds already understand. This is why cognitive insight can bring clarity, yet not always the relief we’re hoping for.

    Lisa offers therapy in English and French.

    She sees clients virtually and in-person at our office at 130 Spadina Avenue.

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    My Approach

    My approach is integrative and collaborative, and I tailor our work to what feels most supportive for you. I often draw from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and parts-based work, alongside somatic approaches, to explore how different parts of you show up -such as parts that remain hyper-vigilant, parts that shut down or disconnect, and parts that work hard to keep you safe or functioning. These parts developed for good reasons, even if they now feel exhausting or get in the way of your relationships, goals, or sense of ease.

    At the same time, I also incorporate evidence-based cognitive and trauma-focused approaches, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and other cognitive interventions. Understanding your beliefs, trauma narratives, and patterns can be a powerful part of healing- and we can absolutely work at that level too. Together, we’ll attend to both layers: making sense of what happened and helping your nervous system learn that the danger has passed in order to use a holistic approach and see the most change.

    I believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to trauma work. We’ll regularly check in about what’s working, what’s not, and adjust our approach accordingly. By working through the body-mind connection and drawing from multiple modalities, we aim to create deeper, more lasting change -not just insight, but a felt sense of safety, presence, and connection.

    With over 10 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families, my goal is to help you feel more grounded, more at ease in your body, and more connected- within yourself and with others. 

    “Trauma is not what happens to you, it’s what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you.”

     

    – Gabor Maté

    My Practice at a Glance

    My areas of expertise

    Complex Trauma (CPTSD)

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    Trauma

    Couples Therapy and Family Therapy 

    Functional Neurological Disorder

    Somatic Symptom Disorder

    Anxiety including social anxiety and phobias

    Depression

    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    ADHD

    Relational Difficulties

    Adults and Teens (12+)

    Professional Associations

    Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers

    Ontario Association of Social Workers

    Ready to get started? Reach out to us today!

    Call, text, or email using the information/form below. Our administrative team will answer any questions you might have and learn how we can help you. If you’re interested in working with me, please let them know at this time.

    Prefer to book on your own? Don’t want to wait for the office to open? Click the link below to schedule a consultation.

    You will then be connected with me for a free 15-minute consultation.

    This is a chance for us to meet, for you to ask me any questions, and for you to tell you a bit about my approach so that you can determine if I’m the right fit for you.

    Schedule your first therapy appointment and begin your healing journey!

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.

    Trauma, Sex, and Couples Therapy in Toronto
    Offered Virtually or In-Person at Spadina and Queen