What to Expect in Therapy
A safe, supportive, and collaborative experience.
A non-judgmental space to be heard
Integrative approaches tailored to your needs
Collaboration at your pace
Support that respects your sensitivity, boundaries, and lived experience
A focus on mind-body-spirit connection
A range of integrative therapies that support awareness, healing, meaningful transformation.
What I Offer
EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. It has helped millions of people of all ages reduce psychological stress. When a person is very upset, the brain may be unable to process information normally, causing traumatic memories to become “frozen in time.” As a result, recalling these events can feel as distressing as experiencing them again, with unchanged images, sounds, smells, and emotions that negatively affect daily life and relationships.
EMDR appears to have a direct effect on how the brain processes information. Following successful EMDR sessions, normal information processing resumes, allowing individuals to remember what happened without reliving the intense distress. The memory remains, but it becomes far less upsetting.
Although many therapies share similar goals, EMDR is believed to work in a way similar to the brain’s natural processing during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. It is considered a physiologically based therapy that helps people view disturbing experiences in a new, less distressing way.
Research supports EMDR as an efficient and effective treatment. Approximately 20 controlled studies show that EMDR significantly reduces or eliminates post-traumatic stress symptoms for most clients, with many also reporting reduced anxiety. The American Psychiatric Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies recognize EMDR as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress.
EMDR Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy was developed by Richard Schwartz, PhD. It is especially helpful for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, and the effects of trauma. IFS is based on the understanding that the mind is made up of different “parts,” each with its own feelings, beliefs, and roles. These parts may react strongly to triggering events and can sometimes be in conflict with one another.
Often, protective parts work hard to shield a person from emotional pain by preventing access to younger, more vulnerable parts that carry wounds from past experiences. While these protective strategies are well-intentioned, they can sometimes lead to distressing patterns or symptoms.
Through IFS, individuals learn to access their authentic core Self, which is naturally calm, compassionate, and curious. From this Self-led perspective, people can build a respectful relationship with both protective and wounded parts, allowing for understanding, integration, and healing. Over time, this process helps create greater emotional balance, self-awareness, and inner harmony.
IFS Therapy (Internal Family Systems)
Breathing practices can be extremely effective at bringing someone out of the stress response into the rest and digest state. When combined with simple yoga and qigong movement exercises they can be even more effective. In addition working with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the yogic chakras and the qigong five elements can be freeing and empowering.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping and self-acupressure can be added to key points on the face, upper body, arms,and hands to release emotions such as depression, anxiety, anger, and grief. Havening techniques which involve soothing self-touch on the palms, arms, and face have similiar benefits.
Yoga and qigong practices are based on thousands of years of Eastern tradition, and recently Western science has done numerous studies at Universities such as Harvard, showing the effectiveness of these modalities for improving the stress response, even after a single session. These practices can be learned by anyone, and when done over time, are an empowering way to take charge of to improve your emotional and mental well being, and ultimately transform your life.
Somatic (Body-Based) Therapy
Meditation includes a wide range of practices, such as breathwork, mantra repetition, and mindfulness techniques that focus on physical sensations, thoughts, emotions, or spiritual awareness. These practices encourage greater presence and awareness, helping individuals develop a deeper connection with themselves. Research shows that regular meditation, across many different styles, can positively impact overall health, happiness, social functioning, self-control, brain performance, and productivity.
Clinical research further demonstrates that consistent mindfulness practice can significantly reduce worrying and stress, improve focus and working memory, and decrease emotional reactivity. Additional benefits include greater cognitive flexibility, enhanced intuition, improved relationship satisfaction, and increased immune functioning. Over time, meditation supports emotional balance, mental clarity, and resilience, making it a valuable tool for overall well-being and personal growth.
Mindfulness & Meditation
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Based on the work of Kristen Neff, PhD, and other researchers, more than a thousand studies highlight the benefits of practicing self-compassion—treating yourself with the same care and understanding you would offer a close friend, especially during moments of difficulty or vulnerability. Research shows that self-compassion is linked to greater emotional resilience, reduced anxiety and depression, and improved overall well-being.
With practice, individuals can learn to relate differently to their inner critic, befriending it and helping it become less harsh or extreme. At the same time, this approach strengthens awareness of inner allies—those supportive, wise parts of yourself that encourage growth and healing. Over time, cultivating self-compassion fosters greater self-acceptance, emotional balance, and a more supportive inner relationship.
Self-Compassion Therapy
Through counselling, my goal is to support you to develop a vision of the life you want and then walk with you each step of the way as you put your goals into action. By using the evidence based and leading edge therapies and tools described below you can manifest the life you desire.
In addition to an initial assessment session and a detailed intake form, you will also complete a number of standardized scales so that we can both have an accurate assessment of how you are doing at the begining of treatment and how you are responding to therapy throughout our work together.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been found to support clients to choose more helpful thoughts and behaviours therefore creating a strong foundation for positive change.
Counselling is either in person or online to maximize your convenience and privacy. Online counselling can be done a secure telehealth video counselling platform, or phone.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
More information from CMHA Peer Support
I facilitate a free drop-in Mental Wellness Qigong group through Waterloo/Wellington CMHA peer support at 80 Waterloo Street in Guelph on Friday mornings at 9:30 am. For more information from me, please use the connect with Lisa form on the right.
To see planned cancellations or ask questions of the CMHA staff, please click the button below to the peer support website, and choose the calendar of the month you would like to join the drop-in group.
Connect with me
I humbly acknowledge that Lasting Wellness Therapy in Guelph, Ontario is located on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Haudenosaunee, the Attiwonderonk, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Guelph is also currently home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. I am grateful to the many generations who have come before me, and acknowledge the aften tragic history between settlers and First Nations people. May the decisions we make, and the activities we pursue, be inclusive and mindful of the many generations yet to come, as we strive to walk together on a path of mutual respect and support
Lisa Clendening BEd, MSW, RSW (she/her) Registered Social Worker/Psychotherapist
EMDR Therapist, IFS Informed
Certified Yoga Teacher, Certified QiGong Teacher
@2026 Lasting Wellness Therapy
More Information From CMHA Peer Support
Lisa facilitates a free drop-in Mental Wellness Qigong group through Waterloo/Wellington CMHA peer support at 80 Waterloo Street in Guelph on friday mornings at 9:30 am. For more information from Lisa, please use the connect with Lisa form on the right.
To see planned cancellations or ask questions of the CMHA staff, please click the button below to the peer support website, and choose the calendar of the month you would like to join the group.
Connect with Lisa
Let’s talk. A free 20-minute consultation can help you feel grounded and supported in choosing what feels right.
New clients: free consultation · Returning clients: log in to book or reschedule
Unsure which service is right for you?
Contact Lasting Wellness Therapy
If you have a questions, want to learn more about the therapies I offer, or feel ready to begin, please use this Connect With Lisa Form and book directly through secure portal.
123-456-7890
lisa@lasting-wellness.ca
I humbly acknowledge that Lasting Wellness Therapy in Guelph, Ontario is located on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Haudenosaunee, the Attiwonderonk, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Guelph is also currently home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people. I am grateful to the many generations who have come before me, and acknowledge the aften tragic history between settlers and First Nations people. May the decisions we make, and the activities we pursue, be inclusive and mindful of the
many generations yet to come, as we strive to walk together on a path of mutual respect and support
Led by Lisa Clendening (BEd, MSW, RSW), Lasting Wellness Therapy offers compassionate, trauma-informed psychotherapy for PTSD, anxiety, and addiction through embodied, client-centered care.
@2026 Lasting Wellness Therapy
Led by Lisa Clendening (BEd, MSW, RSW), Lasting Wellness Therapy offers compassionate, trauma-informed psychotherapy for PTSD, anxiety, and addiction through embodied, client-centered care.
@2026 Lasting Wellness Therapy