Pride Counseling NW

01/09/2026

The fears we dont face become our limits. 🖤Horned animals have long been associated with the devil. Yet in ancient Europe, they were symbols of fertility, vitality, and the wild forces of nature. As Christianity spread, these pagan symbols were gradually reinterpreted as dangerous or sinful, merging horned gods with the image of the devil to discourage older beliefs. What once represented life, instinct, and the natural world became a warning against desire, chaos, and the untamed.

We still do this to ourselves, turning parts of our nature into something to fear or suppress, not because they are inherently evil, but because we don’t understand their origin, making them uncomfortable to face. When we choose curiosity instead of fear, no matter how painful it might seem, we widen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. It feels scary because its unfamiliar, not because you’re incapable.

10/26/2025

And so it is...
Creator unknown- shared with Gratitude.

The Wyse Woman

10/18/2025

10/13/2025

10/13/2025

How we feel and the emotions we experience are a central part of our mental health. Conversely how we respond to emotions is critical for our health, mental and physical. While they can perplexing, stubborn, frustrating, annoying, frightening and downright depressing at times, emotions are a fundamental and necessary part of brain functioning. In fact, they are central to being human.

Unfortunately societal beliefs often tells us we shouldn’t have emotions or some emotions are bad. Telling your brain it shouldn’t have emotions is like telling your heart not to beat or your lungs not to breathe, and it doesn’t make your brain very happy.

Emotions don’t always feel nice and can make us want to run away from them. And like any avoidance, short term this seems to work, we feel relieved. But inside your brain is feeling pretty annoyed at trying to hold it all in.

How you respond to your emotions is important. Research shows suppressing, berating and shaming emotions doesn’t help us deal with them at all and just creates more stress and make emotions feel even more difficult.

Naming, validating, expressing and recognising emotions seems to help us process them and help us become friends with them, rather than them having power over us. It seems to soothe those emotions and instead of adding a layer of more stress and difficult feelings, helps us deal with the ones we have.

read more about the science of emotions and how we can help our emotions in my books
📕‘A Toolkit for your Emotions’.
📚 A toolkit for modern life
📖 A toolkit for happiness

09/29/2025

🌈 Calling All LGBTQIA2S+ Writers! ✍️✨

Are you a q***r storyteller, poet, playwright, or aspiring author looking for community, inspiration, and support? Join our brand-new LGBTQIA2S+ Writers' Group — a safe, inclusive space where your voice is celebrated and your stories matter, lead by our education manager and avid writer Mary Woodard!

💬 Monthly meetups, in-person and virtual
🖊️ Creative writing prompts
📚 Peer feedback & support
🌟 NEW Literary Journal published during Pride Month featuring local writers!

Whether you're just starting out or polishing your manuscript, all skill levels are welcome. Visit us after community hours tomorrow for our kick-off to learn more about the group, chat with other writers, and start dreaming of your next creative project. Come write with pride — and find your people. 💖

📍Rainbow Center, 2215 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA
📅 Kick Off: September 30th, 5-6:30pm

We can't wait to see you there and hear your story!
Sponsored by Tacoma Creates 💖

08/29/2025

Creating a Safe Space for Every Body 🏳️‍🌈

As a massage therapist, my mission goes beyond relieving tension and easing sore muscles—it's about creating a space where every person feels safe, respected, and truly seen.

I proudly offer LGBTQI+ affirming care. That means:

🌈 No assumptions. No judgment. Your identity, orientation, pronouns, and lived experience are honored here.

🧘 Body-positive and gender-inclusive approach to touch and treatment. I understand that every body is unique, and I tailor each session to your comfort and needs.

🤝 Consent and communication are at the heart of every appointment. You’re always in control of your experience, and I’m here to listen and adjust.

🛋️ A welcoming environment where you can relax without having to explain, educate, or defend who you are.

Massage should be healing—not stressful. It should be relaxing, not anxiety inducing. Whether you're seeking relief from chronic pain, stress, or simply want to relax in a safe and affirming way, I’m here for you.

You deserve care. If you have questions, concerns, or specific needs before booking, I’m always happy to talk.

Let’s make wellness accessible—one massage at a time.

https://mysite.vagaro.com/olympiamassagealchemy

09/20/2024

Pride Counseling NW is excited to offer a new group for the Fall season! For more information, or to sign up, please email us! info@pridecounselingnw.com

07/11/2024