Deepen your connection with yourself and others.
Individual & Couples Counselling & Psychotherapy
a space created with love
by Medina Bandalli
Kitsilano
Arbutus and West 4th
SPECIALIZATIONS
RELATIONSHIP ISSUES | FAMILY DYNAMICS | LONELINESS | ATTACHMENT | IDENTITY | SELF-WORTH | SELF- ESTEEM | ANXIETY | DEPRESSION | COPING | EMOTIONAL-REGULATION | GROWTH & SELF-DEVELOPMENT LIFE TRANSITIONS | STRESS & BURNOUT | VULNERABILITY | TRAUMA | EMOTIONAL PROCESSING
the flow
past
In order to understand our challenges, we must recognize our patterns, triggers, and internalizations. By looking into our past experiences including early childhood experiences, relational patterns, culture, and adverse experiences, we can begin to determine the root source of our behaviours, thoughts, and emotions. The flow of therapy will begin at discussing the past with the intention of learning how we have come to be.
present
A clients often starts therapy for one of two reasons. The first is that there is the time/space (financial or an internal/external push) to begin the therapeutic process. The second is when something is currently occurring in the clients world that requires immediate attention. The counselling space provides a space to discuss, explore, and resolve current and immediate stressors (as well as past and future stressors after immediacy has subsided).
future
Without a desired future, there would be no need to progress, heal, and grow. The counselling space provides an opportunity to develop a clear illustration of what to strive for and arrive there together. The development of goals, values, and action plans are created and supported, while being held accountable by the therapeutic space.
WELCOME TO SPEAKEASY —
At Speakeasy Clinic, we believe that healing begins with connection. Life's challenges can leave us feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure of our path forward. Whether you're navigating anxiety, relationship difficulties, or past trauma, therapy offers a space to explore, understand, and heal.
Led by Medina Bandalli, a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with specialized training in EMDR, IFS, and Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C), our clinic provides a warm, genuine, and client-centered approach to therapy. We work collaboratively with you to uncover patterns, explore underlying beliefs, and develop healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
Our services include in-person or virtual individual and couples counselling, as well as specialized support for trauma using EMDR. We are committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and supported on your journey toward healing and growth.
“We don’t have to do it all alone. We were never meant to.”
— Brene Brown
Treatment Approach
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EMDR helps the brain process and heal from traumatic or distressing experiences that may feel stuck. While you briefly bring a memory to mind, I guide you through side-to-side eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This bilateral stimulation supports your brain in reprocessing the memory so it no longer carries the same emotional intensity, allowing for relief and new perspective.
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This approach explores how early relationships shaped your sense of safety, trust, and connection. We work together to notice how those past patterns might still be playing out today—especially in how you relate to yourself and others. Through a secure, supportive therapeutic relationship, we begin to repair old wounds and foster new ways of connecting.
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IFS is based on the idea that we all have different “parts” within us—some that try to protect us, and others that carry pain. In therapy, we identify and gently connect with these parts, helping you understand their roles and build trust with them. The goal is to access your inner “Self”—a calm, compassionate presence that can lead healing from within.
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EFT helps couples understand the deeper emotional patterns that keep them feeling disconnected or stuck. Together, we slow down conflict to uncover the emotions and attachment needs underneath. By creating a safe space to express those needs and respond differently, couples can rebuild trust, strengthen their bond, and feel more securely connected.
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CBT helps you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns or beliefs that may be contributing to distress and work on reshaping them. Through practical strategies and reflection, CBT supports you in building healthier habits, managing emotions, and responding to challenges in more empowering ways.
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Narrative Therapy views you as the expert of your own story—and helps you re-author it in a way that centers your strengths, values, and resilience. In sessions, we explore how problems may be shaping your story and begin to separate them from who you are. An asset-focused lens brings attention to what’s already working: your skills, successes, and inner resources that support healing and growth.