Byrnes Counseling Group

02/06/2026

Ever feel a quiet ache for the version of you that had to hide?

Maybe it’s the kid who stayed silent or the teenager who shrunk to fit in. That version of you who might have transitioned or come out sooner: the one who lived without apology.

That feeling? It’s not a sign something is wrong. That’s grief.

You’re allowed to mourn versions of yourself that didn’t die: they just had to mask to survive. As a trans therapist who’s walked this road, I know this mourning often hits just as you’re finally starting to bloom.

If you grew up q***r, trans, or neurodivergent, masking wasn't a failure; it was an intelligent survival strategy. Instead of looking back with resentment, what if we said: “Thank you for getting us here. You can rest now.”

We’re exploring this further in Friday’s new blog: a gentle look at the cost of survival and how to honor the person you used to be.

You’re so not alone in this. 🌿

02/04/2026

02/04/2026

There’s a specific kind of grief we don't talk about much: the mourning of the person you *could* have been, if you hadn't been so busy just trying to survive. 🌿✨

Maybe that version of you was more creative, more rested, or more open. It’s okay to feel sad that survival mode took that time from you. It’s okay to miss a version of yourself you never got to meet.

But here’s the truth: the version of you that *did* survive is incredible. They got you through the impossible. They protected you when no one else could.

Instead of mourning the ghost of who you might’ve been, try honoring the person who is actually here. They deserve your compassion, not your comparison.

You’re so not alone in this feeling. Read more on this journey of Grief and Growth over on the blog: byrnescounselinggroup.com.

Sending you a gentle embrace today.

- Tristan

02/02/2026

Oh wow... my heart is feeling so incredibly full today.

I just found out I’ve been nominated for "Favorite Local Therapist" in the Watermark Wonder Awards (Tampa Bay’s Best)! Honestly, just being seen in this category: as a trans therapist bringing both professional training and lived experience to the table: feels like such a win for our whole community.

So often, our healing happens in the quiet, private spaces. To have this work recognized on a larger scale is a beautiful reminder that our identities and our stories matter. Whether you’ve sat on my couch or you just follow along here for a little extra validation, thank you for trusting me to be part of your world.

If you have a spare moment and feel like sending some love my way, I’d be so honored if you’d cast a vote. It’s not just about an award; it’s about making sure affirming, trauma-informed care stays visible and accessible for all of us.

⚠️ Heads up: For your ballot to count, you do need to vote in at least 15 categories: so it's a great time to support all your local favorites!

You can find the voting page here (I'm under Favorite Local Therapist!):
👉 WatermarkOutNews.com/WONDER-26

Thank you for being exactly who you are. I’m right here with you.

02/02/2026

In a world that sometimes feels like it’s trying to dim our light: especially right here in Florida: simply choosing to find a moment of joy is a radical act of defiance. ✨

It’s not about ignoring the weight of what’s happening. It’s not toxic positivity. It’s saying: "I am here, I am worthy of pleasure, and I will not be defined only by the struggle."

Radical joy looks like...
🌿 Finally letting yourself stim freely because it feels good in your body.
🌿 The quiet comfort of a chosen family dinner where no one has to explain themselves.
🌿 Leaning into a special interest for hours because your neurodivergent brain deserves that spark.
🌿 Being unapologetically trans, expansive, and alive.

If you’re feeling heavy today, that’s okay. You don’t have to perform happiness. But if you find a sliver of magic: a good cup of coffee, a song that hits just right, a moment of deep connection: know that leaning into it is resistance.

You are a revolution just by existing. I’m right here with you. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

02/01/2026

Friendly reminder: Your worth is not measured by your productivity today. It’s okay to just 'be.' ☁️✨

01/31/2026

We made it through another legislative week, Florida. 🫂

Between HB 743, HB 641, and everything in between, it’s been a lot to process. If you’re feeling a mix of anger, exhaustion, or just plain "done": that is a completely valid response to your environment being debated.

Advocacy is important, but you cannot pour from an empty cup. Community care means making sure *you* are okay while we navigate these systems together.

Whether you’re decompressing this weekend by logging off, connecting with chosen family, or finally booking that therapy session you’ve been thinking about: give yourself permission to rest. You don't have to be "on" 24/7 to be valid in your identity or your activism.

We’re here for the long haul, and we’re here for YOU.

Check out our latest blog posts for the full run-down of this week's bills if you missed them: byrnescounselinggroup.com/blog

Take a deep breath. You’re doing great. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

01/30/2026

The headlines can feel like a direct hit sometimes. When the world feels loud and the news feels heavy, I want to give you radical permission to pull back. It’s okay to need a soft place to land. 🌿

I know that feeling of bracing yourself before opening an app. As a trans person navigating this world alongside you, I also know the deep, grounding relief of being with people who just *get it*. Your community, the ones who see you, hold space for you, and celebrate your existence, is where the real healing happens.

If you’re feeling the weight of it today, please know you’re SO not alone. I’m right here with you, and there is a whole community of us holding each other up.

Our latest blog post dives into how we find our people when the world feels like an attack. You can read it here: byrnescounselinggroup.com/blog

Gentle reminder: Joy is resistance. Rest is unapologetic. Your peace is worth protecting.

01/30/2026

Super proud and honored to be nominated again this year! Please vote!
https://watermarkoutnews.com/2026/01/29/wonder26-tbvote
Vote for at least 15! So many great people and orgs on the list.

01/28/2026

Florida Legislative Week: Let’s talk about HB 641 / SB 1642 (Workplace Safety). 🛠️

Work should be a place where you feel physically and psychologically safe, but these new bills are changing the landscape of workplace safety regulations in Florida.

When we talk about "workplace safety," we aren’t just talking about hard hats. For our community, it’s about the mental toll of navigating spaces where protections might feel like they’re shifting. This kind of uncertainty is a direct fast-track to burnout.

We’ve broken down the key points of HB 641 and how it might impact you over on the blog. More importantly, we’re talking about how to protect your peace when the "official" rules feel like they’re up in the air.

Read the full breakdown here: byrnescounselinggroup.com/blog

How is your workplace feeling lately? Are you noticing the "legislative fatigue" hitting your 9-to-5? 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈