It's that time of year again, PRIDE, a time when we celebrate our hard-won rights, freedoms, and the beauty of the LGBTQ+ community. It may not be officially Denver Pride, June 24th and 25th, just yet, but we've got a whole month to celebrate! But for sober folks or those with new commitments to drink less, Pride can be a tricky event to navigate. With booze flowing freely, peer pressure high, and emotions running strong, it's easy to feel left out, stressed, or tempted to drink. But worries! There are ways to survive Pride sober and still have a blast! In this blog post, we'll explore some tips on how to drink less during Pride month, so you can enjoy the festivities while keeping your recovery intact.

Are you feeling uneasy about going to public spaces or events during Pride Month? We get it. We know hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly trans people, are on the rise, and that can be scary and isolating. But here's the good news: You're not alone. And more importantly, there are things you can do to protect yourself if you ever feel threatened or bullied. Want to learn some tips and tools for staying safe? Let's dive in!

Relationships can bring us immense joy and fulfillment, but they can also bring us pain and difficulty. If you're struggling to connect with your partner or facing challenges that you can't seem to overcome, couples counseling could be a powerful tool to help you navigate your journey together. Here at Rooted Acorn Counseling, we're committed to providing a safe and supportive space for all couples, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. In this blog post, we'll share 5 reasons why investing in couples counseling could be the best decision you ever make.

Life happens. We get into a roll and things just "float on okay," says Modest Mouse. But sometimes we want more than just "okay" in our relationships! What happens all too often in our relationships is that as the responsibilities change and increase, the fun decreases. However, there are simple things you can do to change that. Here is a fun exercise to practice with your partner to increase connection and intentionally put fun back into your relationship!

Think about the beginning of your relationship. What were some of the things you and your partner enjoyed doing back then? Was it traveling? Trying new restaurants? Hiking 14ers?

Got some good memories rolling around, yet? Good! Next step...

Relationships are foundational and ever present in our lives. Even if you choose to move to the mountains, get away from it all, far far away from all the people, you still have some relating to do, mainly with yourself but possibly with mountain lions. I'm no expert on human/mountain lion relationships. (The cats that let me live in their house daily remind me of my neglect of their needs when their food bowls drop below "full" level.) However, I do have extensive training, expertise, and experience supporting human relationships. All joking aside, relationship are beautiful but hard, especially post-pandemic. We just went through a profoundly challenging few years and it has taken a toll on our most important relationships in our lives. If you're feeling relationship stress right now, I get it. It makes sense. Now that we are out of the pandemic and not fighting to survive, it is the best time to start rebuilding those relationships with the ones you love the most. I've compiled 7 commonly asked questions about couples therapy. Below, I will share about what to expect in relationship therapy and how you and your partner can start rebuilding connection and mutual love today!