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Queer Joy

The first time I heard the term Queer Joy, I thought, What a bunch of hooey. My reaction came from the belief that joy was impossible in the face of the fascism we were witnessing. Worse, it felt like a distraction from the fight that needed to happen if we were going...

Laugh…Even When You Don’t Want To

How many times has your therapist encouraged you to create an affirmation, a mantra, or a personal statement to bring balance to your self-talk? Something like, "I am a patient and prosperous person who meets all challenges with positivity and joy." And the first...

Stories That Matter

As I write this, I am six days away from turning 59. This birthday feels surprisingly significant. Over the past few years, I have changed in ways I never imagined possible. My body requires more care than ever to stay healthy and moving, and yet I feel more connected to myself than I have in a long time.

Pulse Unplugged (Or Not): On Culture, Connection, and the Work We Do Together

Pulse is an incredibly special place to work. I don’t say that lightly or out of habit – I say it because it’s something I feel every single day I walk through the door and into this community we’ve built together.

The Audacity of Springtime

It’s almost spring. The days are getting longer and warmer. The sun is sometimes shining. Even though the rain continues to fall…that’s the thing, right there…The sun is sometimes shining…while the rain persists. How unfair that spring comes every year, no matter what...

Giving and Taking of Warmth

Every day, I learn more about human interactions, attachment, and relationships. Recently, while scrolling through my podcast feed, I came across the term kleptothermy. I had never seen this word before, and it immediately caught my attention. I love language and...

The Space In Between

A note from Pulse, This week ICE killed another person in the United States.  There have been 32 deaths connected to ICE in 2025 and Renee Nicole Good is the visible, newest victim.  I say visible because at this moment (or any moment) ICE is terrorizing our...

Openings for group supervision

We have 4 new monthly supervision groups with openings!

If Maslow Can Evolve, So Can We

This time of year sometimes feels so focused on extending, giving, and offering that we lose sight of filling our own buckets.  Or perhaps they are filled, but there is a slow leak that doesn’t allow for a full bucket.  How do we honor and nourish the parts...

Frogs, Unicorns and Creatures; Oh My!

Portland has shown its many colors in the past few months.  The Fall makes me think about the oranges and reds of fire and power.  But the Frog is now a symbol of hope, desire for more, and the idea that we can exercise free speech in a time of fascism in America. ...
If Maslow Can Evolve, So Can We

If Maslow Can Evolve, So Can We

This time of year sometimes feels so focused on extending, giving, and offering that we lose sight of filling our own buckets.  Or perhaps they are filled, but there is a slow leak that doesn’t allow for a full bucket.  How do we honor and nourish the parts...

read more
Frogs, Unicorns and Creatures; Oh My!

Frogs, Unicorns and Creatures; Oh My!

Portland has shown its many colors in the past few months.  The Fall makes me think about the oranges and reds of fire and power.  But the Frog is now a symbol of hope, desire for more, and the idea that we can exercise free speech in a time of fascism in America. ...

read more
Hate Transmogrified

Hate Transmogrified

As this world doubles down on fascism and our fear increases, holding steady can get harder.  On June 14th, a man defaced the front door frame of Pulse with a symbol of hate.  This man drew a swastika on our door, pointed at the doorbell, and looked into the eye of...

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Be a Bee

Be a Bee

There is something about the way we feel safe in our bodies when we want to control outcomes. The body experiences safety when outcomes are not felt as a means for control, but as a system for healing. So often the desire to heal becomes a push through or another way...

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SuperLover

SuperLover

The intensity of things can be all-encompassing.  This year has been hard and scary for millions of people. As we watch our country act on persecution, oppression, and capitalize on fear-mongering for the powerful elite to have all the toys.  Nearly 80% of...

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