Ms. Lara Longo, MSW, RSW
(she/her)
Preferred Name: Lara
About Me
My practice approach is trauma-informed, somatic and transpersonal. I harmonize evidence based Western psychotherapy treatments with Eastern practices and Ancient Wisdom Teachings. The unparalleled wisdom of the body and its connection to the mind and spirit has led me to study and practice with many traditions, teachers and mentors over the last 20+ years. I am deeply grateful for the collaborations I have had with Indigenous communities where I worked as a trauma therapist alongside Western and Traditional Healing approaches. My core values align with these cultural-spiritual teachings and connections within community. In my work I integrate specific therapy modalities including EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Poly-Vagal Informed Therapy, Mindfulness, Classical Hatha Yoga, Art Therapy and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and Integration. I am passionate about supporting the healing power of Consciousness, Embodiment, Interconnection and Community and recognize these as integral threads that lead us toward individual and collective well-being. We tend to live our lives through patterns rooted in earlier memory networks. When left unconscious, we may find ourselves locked into habits, beliefs, behaviours, emotions and body states related to the past, which prevent us from living fully in the present. In our work together, I will share essential teachings with you to help you understand the basic mechanics of your brain and nervous system. I will hold a compassionate space for you to support you in finding safety within your body, and guide you through the development of practical skills to resource your capacity to be with your in-the-present-experience. In our sacred collaboration, we will shed light on the unconscious patterns that no longer serve you, and bring compassionate attention to the parts of you that are stuck, mindfully attending to these internal barriers, intentionally processing what is unresolved. Through this repatterning, we create the groundwork for new pathways to emerge, shifting you toward living the embodied and authentic life you long for and deserve.
Education & Experience
Master of Social Work - Specialization in Trauma and Addictions Treatment Graduate Studies in Art Psychotherapy IFS Informed Practice Somatic Experiencing and Poly-Vagal Informed Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Meditation Art Therapist
Professional & Volunteer Affiliations
Professional Member of the Canadian Art Therapy Institute Professional Member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers
Specialty Area
- Abuse/Neglect
- Addictions
- Alcohol/Substance Abuse
- Anger Management
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Depression
- Dissociative Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Grief/Loss/Mourning
- Marriage/Relationship Issues
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Race, Culture, Ethnicity Issues
- Sexual Abuse
- Somatic Issues
- Spirituality
- Stress Management
- Traumatic Incident
Population Served
- Adults
- Community Mental Health Center
- Couples
- First Responders
- Group
- Seniors
- Underserved
- Veterans/Military
Language
- English
Insurance
- BlueCross BlueShield
First Nation Non Insured Health Benefits ( NIHB ), Blue Cross, Extended Health Care Benefit Plans