Welcoming Summer – A Season of Light and Expansion

Written By Kimberly Massale

Hello Brave Ones! 

Happy pride month and welcome summer! As we step into June, the arrival of summer brings with it a powerful energetic shift. The days grow longer, the sun brighter, and life often seems to move faster. The summer solstice will occur on Saturday June 21st marking the longest day of the year–when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon–and “the official start of summer” in the Northern Hemisphere takes place. 

Summer is ruled by the fire element in many healing traditions—symbolizing growth, joy, vitality, and outward movement. Spiritually and emotionally, this season invites us to expand, play, and connect, but that expansion can also bring up challenges.

Many people find that as their outer world becomes busier—with vacations, social events, and changing routines—their inner world may begin to feel overstimulated, scattered, or neglected. Because of this, emotions can rise to the surface more quickly and you may also experience bursts of inspiration and motivation, followed by feelings of burnout or disconnection.

This season asks us to balance our desire for movement and connection with the need for grounding, intention, and rest. Therapy can offer a supportive space to navigate that balance—but summer’s spontaneity can make it challenging to stay consistent which brings us to one of this month’s featured guides (10 Tips for Staying Consistent with Therapy this Summer) located in section 3. 

But first, section 2 where we honor Pride Month – acknowledging and celebrating the pain, the beauty, the resilience and the diversity of the 2SLGBTQQIPAA community. You’ll find simple, meaningful ways to celebrate, show support, and stand in solidarity, whether you’re part of the community or an ally.


Section 2: June is Pride Month

June is Pride Month – a time to honor the 2SLGBTQQIPAA community not only through celebration, but through deepening visibility, connection, and solidarity. Pride reminds us that even if we don’t personally identify, we all have a role in standing up for each other’s humanity, because no one is free until everyone is.

Since we are based in Denver we are sharing some details for the Denver Pride Celebration, however most cities and towns host their own Pride Celebrations so be sure to research details on your local celebrations as well!  

Denver Pride Celebration 

  • Dates & Times: Saturday 6/28 11:00am - 7:00pm and Sunday 6/29 10:00am-6:00pm

  • Info: Beginning in 1974, Denver Pride is an event produced by The Center on Colfax—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the LGBTQ+ community year-round. Now the largest Pride celebration in the Rocky Mountain region, the event draws over 500,000 visitors and includes a parade, 5K, a gayborhood market, performances, DJ’s, a Latin stage, a family area – a really amazing festival! Proceeds from the weekend directly support vital 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ services like mental health care, youth and senior programming, and support for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.

    • Click here for more info on Denver Pride 

Not in town on the 28th and 29th? No problem! There are events happening all throughout the month of June, some of which you can find here . And, if events aren’t your thing, here are some other ways to support the 2SLGBTQQIPAA community:

*This is not an exhaustive list, just a few ideas to get you started! We encourage you to do your own research and see how you’d like to contribute.*

Section 3: 10 Tips for Staying Consistent with Therapy this Summer

Summer’s spontaneous energy can easily lead to skipping self-care routines, including therapy. However, staying consistent through seasonal shifts can actually deepen your progress and help you integrate new awareness into daily life. Here are ten tips for maintaining your momentum:

  1. Schedule Ahead: Book your summer sessions in advance to hold space for yourself before your calendar fills up.

  2. Set a Summer Therapy Intention: Get clear on what you want to focus on during this season—it helps maintain purpose.

  3. Consider Virtual Sessions: If you’re traveling or your schedule is packed, teletherapy can be a powerful alternative.

  4. Make It Part of Your Summer Routine: Attach therapy to another summer ritual (like morning walks or post-hike journaling).

  5. Communicate with Your Therapist: If your availability changes, work together to find new rhythms or creative solutions.

  6. Use Your Therapy Time to Process Summer Themes: Socializing and social anxiety, relationship shifts, body image, family dynamics, or spiritual exploration—let it all in.

  7. Practice Micro-Check-Ins: Between sessions, take 2–5 minutes to reflect on how you’re feeling emotionally/spiritually.

  8. Track Your Emotional Weather: Keep a summer feelings journal to notice patterns or emotional highs/lows.

  9. Create a Summer Self-Care List: What grounds and restores you? Keep a list handy when things get busy or chaotic.

  10. Remember Why You Started: Revisit your original reasons for starting therapy—it often reminds us that these deeper patterns we are wanting to work on don’t just disappear because it’s sunny out – revisiting your motivations and goals will help renew your commitment to your inner work and therapy.

Even in the most expansive and active seasons, healing and growth thrives on consistency. Showing up for yourself—especially when it's inconvenient—is a powerful act of self-love which can create healing and growth in itself.

 

♡ The Brave Embodiment Counseling Team

Click here to get in touch!

Kimberly Massale
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Beyond “Mental Health”: Tending to Your Inner Garden This May