Safety is not something we’re given,
it’s something we build—together.
Have you tried talk therapy and CBT, but still feel stuck in old patterns? Do you yearn for a space to heal from the past and navigate the present-day complexity of being human without having to cut off parts of yourself—the grief and gratitude, the trauma and transformations, the rage and the resilience? Are you ready to let yourself feel what you actually feel, and learn to meet it with compassion? Then Safe Haven Therapy may be the place for you.
I help people to through trauma, anxiety, abuse, depression, health crises, grief and big life changes with courage and care. We will practice, bit by bit, to stay present metabolize big feelings instead of jumping to fight, fix or flee from discomfort. We will get curious about painful patterns instead of judging them. We will honour strengths, celebrate wins and create fail-proof goals because therapy isn’t just about your problems.
My work is always trauma-informed, undoing external and internalized oppression, and strengths-based. Therapy with me includes the body, heart and mind to relearn safety, wholeness and aliveness, while acknowledging and challenging the historical, political, ancestral and systemic factors that underpin the personal, individual factores.
A safe haven isn’t about hiding from the world. And therapy can’t fix all the world’s problems. But we can build the inner, relational safety that allows you to move into life with clarity and purpose. And while traditional psychotherapy focuses on the “safe haven” of parental and romantic relationships, we will also develop internal, spiritual, communal and land-based sources of solace and strength.
If this sounds like what you’re looking for, book a free introductory call to see if we might be a fit.
Specializing in psychotherapy for
Queer, trans & non-binary folks
Buddhist meditators, spiritual seekers & the religiously wounded
Neurodivergent & highly sensitive people
Artists, activists & change-makers
Melina Bondy (they/them)
Registered Psychotherapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Master of Psychospiritual Studies
I’m a Registered Psychotherapist, Meditation teacher and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, but first and foremost I’m a human just like you who has lived through hard times. And I have done a lot of work so I know how scary, exciting and important it can be to reach out for help. I’m glad you’re here. Learn more about me.
My approach is warm, relational, and trauma-informed. I believe therapy is not about fixing what is broken, but about rediscovering what has always been whole. In Buddhist language, this is called Buddha Nature. I often think of the story of the Golden Buddha of Bangkok: for centuries, people thought the statue was made of clay, until cracks revealed it was made of solid gold, covered in clay. No one know quite what happened but it seems that in a time of crisis, the precious statue was covered to protect it, and it took centuries before the real statue was revealed. In the same way, our innate wholeness is often covered by layers of pain, shame, and trauma—but it never disappears. Together in therapy, we gently and carefully uncover your gold.
I draw on:
Somatic Psychotherapy to support healing through the nervous system and body.
Mindfulness and Buddhist Psychology, grounded in 20+ years of practice across Plum Village and Insight traditions
Anti-Oppressive and Trauma-Informed Care, shaped by my study and lived commitment to racial justice, queer liberation, a neurodivergence paradigm, disability justice and cultural humility.
Spiritual Care, for those navigating religious trauma, spiritual doubt, or opening up to the everyday mystery and wonder of life.
I specialize in supporting:
LGBTQ+ clients exploring gender and sexuality, internalized transphobia or homophobia, and identity-based anxiety or depression.
Neurodivergent people learning to de-pathologize themselves while navigating the challenges of living in a neurotypical world.
People with spiritual and religious struggles, including religious trauma, adverse meditation experiences, or spiritual exploration.
Those in major life transitions, such as health crises, grief and loss, career changes, and other chosen or unchosen shifts.
I meet clients with respect for your uniqueness and with trust that healing happens when we are met exactly as we are.
I also recognize the privileges I carry as a white, educated settler on the colonized land of Tkaronto. Practicing cultural humility, listening across differences, and working toward equity are part of my ongoing commitment to ethical care.
If I could leave clients with one question, it would be this:
“What if you didn’t have to fight what you’re feeling?”
Therapy is about making space for that possibility—and discovering the golden wisdom that lies within.