Tender-Hearted Recovery Coaching & Consultation

04/20/2026

The value of Holding Space in therapeutic relationships

    The Sacred Work of Holding Space…in counseling, in creativity, in being with people There is a quiet kind of work that doesn’t always get named. It doesn’t look like achievement.It doesn’t come with applause.And yet—it is some of the most important work we do. Holding space. In couns...

04/18/2026

04/17/2026

The Sacred Work of Holding Space
in counseling, in creativity, in being with people

There is a quiet kind of work that doesn’t always get named.

It doesn’t look like achievement.
It doesn’t come with applause.
And yet—it is some of the most important work we do.

Holding space.

In counseling, this might look like sitting across from someone as they speak the truth they’ve never said out loud before.
It’s listening to what is being said—and what is not being said.
Listening for the pauses, the shifts in breath, the places where words fall away.

04/10/2026

Healing takes the time it takes.

Not the time we wish it would.
Not the time others expect.

But the time your mind, body, heart & spirit can hold.

At Tender-Hearted Recovery, I offer counseling that honours your pace—slow, trauma-informed, and deeply attuned.

You don’t have to rush your healing.
You don’t have to do it alone.

💜

04/09/2026

This ~

04/03/2026

Came across this today - and it hit me just as true as it did when this sheet of paper was given to me by my first therapist, Neil Tubb.

I have been carrying this with me (had to trim the worn corners of the paper) since 1991. It rings very true to me & how hard it is to grieve, alone and recover from any loss- whether it be, relationship, family, marriage, career, natural disaster. We need to have space to grieve, slowly and to recover.

04/03/2026

Returning to Your Centre/ Libra full moon
Libra reminds us that peace does not come from controlling others —
it comes from taking responsibility for our own energy, choices, and needs.
When boundaries are unclear…
when communication is avoided…
when we take things personally or make choices that do not support our well being…
We move out of balance. This moon is an invitation to come back.
Back to:
• your truth
• your body
• your voice
• your inner harmony
Just like a garden that has been tended with care, when we release what is no longer needed, we create space for something new to grow. Something that will support our whole being (mind, body and soul), not just parts of it.

Digital art by thelatestkate find her on insta 🥰

04/01/2026

Found this an interesting read today- " Psychological flexibility emerged as the most commonly effective pathway of change- more significant than self esteem, social support or even the frequency of negative thoughts...:"

Therapy isn’t about labels or manuals but about processes that drive real change. Discover why psychological flexibility is the key.

03/30/2026

Accepting New Clients~ 💫✨⚡️🌟🌙

Nicolle Nattrass - Tender- Hearted Recovery , Counsellor, Nanaimo, BC, V9R, (236) 864-7337, Sometimes it takes the strength of a revolution to thrive. I offer a trauma-informed, grounded place to land for personal and professional transformation. I support folks who are navigating transitions in per...

03/20/2026

If you are navigating difficulties right now, trauma, life transitions, addiction recovery, or emotional burnout, additional support can make a powerful difference.

Counselling offers a space that is steady, collaborative, and grounded in compassion—where you don’t have to perform, explain everything perfectly, or navigate recovery alone.

Book a consultation to see if we’re a good fit. 👉 Reach out to book a free 30 Min Phone https://nicollenattrass.com/contact/

03/09/2026

We live in a beautiful place here on Vancouver island, in Nanaimo — ocean, forests, community — and yet even in beautiful places, life can be complicated.

The world feels heavy for many people right now. Stress, grief, trauma, burnout… and for those working in helping professions or creative fields, we’re often the ones holding space for everyone else.

After more than 20 years as a trauma-informed counselor and addiction counselor, I’ve learned something important: needing support is not a failure — it’s part of being human.

Through Tender-Hearted Recovery, I support people who are rebuilding after trauma, addiction, intimate partner violence, or loss. I also work with professionals — frontline workers, caregivers, artists, and leaders — who carry a lot emotionally in their work.

Sometimes people need short-term support to get through a difficult season. Sometimes the work is longer and deeper.

Either way, my role is to offer a steady, compassionate space where people can reconnect with their strength and move forward.

Because the goal isn’t just getting through life’s hard moments — it’s learning how to truly thrive, not just survive.

https://nicollenattrass.com/contact/