Northwest Family Life

Northwest Family Life Domestic Violence - Counseling, Education, Treatment and Advocacy Those who come to us seeking refuge from a violent home are frightened and confused.

Their spirits are paralyzed. They feel disoriented, lost and often disconnected from their faith. They are women whose lives are devastated by the terror of violence at the hands of their husbands and intimate partners. They are children who are traumatized by seeing and hearing too much. They are men who are bewildered by their own emotions and actions. WE REACH OUT TO THEM, offering understanding, an end to isolation, resources, an escape plan or ways to maximize their safety in the midst of ongoing danger. Our advocates provide information and support to survivors of domestic violence, those currently dealing with an abusive situation, or those still healing from past abuse. WE GIVE THEM A PLACE TO HEAL. We meet them in painful places, giving them the courage to deepen their faith, heal their paralyzed hearts and guide them to emotional recovery through God’s faithfulness and transformational healing.We create an environment where decent men can come forward to confront the norms of violence against women and children. WE TEACH FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOW TO SUPPORT THEM, AND ABUSERS HOW TO BE ACCOUNTABLE, recognizing the milestones of their recovery. The Northwest Family Life team offers education and training locally, nationally, and internationally. Through speaking, teaching, and presentations, we provide awareness and education on domestic violence and many related issues. Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) are available for many of our trainings through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). To schedule a presentation or training for your organization, church, workplace, or community, please contact us at hope@nwfamilylife.org

Northwest Family Life conducts a State Certified Batterers Treatment Program for perpetrators of domestic violence. This Intervention program meets the WAC 388-60 for Batterers Treatment and provides an opportunity for individuals to understand the affects of abuse, take responsibility for behavior, remain accountable, change attitudes of power and control in relationships, learn anger management skills, and heal from anger and abuse. WE PROVIDE A NETWORK OF COUNSELORS FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES AND FAMILIES.

As survivors, it can be difficult to figure out when, how, and with whom to share your story. Where is the line between ...
03/23/2026

As survivors, it can be difficult to figure out when, how, and with whom to share your story. Where is the line between oversharing and being authentic and vulnerable? How do you determine when it's appropriate to tell your story? If you do decide it's time for you to speak up, we love these quotes on vulnerability from Brene Brown's new book, Atlas of the Heart.

"In a world where perfectionism, pleasing, and proving are used as armor to protect our egos and our feelings, it takes a lot of courage to show up and be all in when we can't control the outcome."

"It also takes discipline and self-awareness to understand what to share and with whom. Vulnerability is not oversharing, it's sharing with people who have earned the right to hear our stories and our experiences."

"Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage."

(Brene Brown, "Atlas of the Heart")
Post created by Tabitha Terlunen

Need some help? hope@nwfamilylife.org northwestfamilylife.org 206-363-9601 or: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Image description: Grey background with white text from above.
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What’s nourishing you these days? What’s inspiring you to keep hoping, sharing, connecting, maybe even dancing, singing,...
03/19/2026

What’s nourishing you these days? What’s inspiring you to keep hoping, sharing, connecting, maybe even dancing, singing, and playing? What sources are feeding you?

We don't love categorizing self-care into different quadrants knowing that we are complex humans and different activities benefit us in multitude of ways (i.e. exercise benefits us not only physically but emotionally, mentally, even relationally). Yet our mind seeks categories... and this offers some helpful inspiration...

Dr. Dan Siegel and his team created a Healthy Mind Platter, not as distinct categories to fill up our time, but a way of understand what nutrients our mind needs to be healthy.

These include: connection, down time, play time, sleep, physical time, focus time, and reflection time.

Which one surprises you?

Considering balance in all of this is inconceivable for those who are fearing for their safety. Grace upon grace as you look at this list. This is not to add guilt or shame.

Yet maybe it can give weight and inspiration to what nourishment you might need in whatever struggle you are in.

You are human and these are normal human needs!

See https://drdansiegel.com/healthy-mind-platter/ for more on this.

And continue reading this post on Soul Care for Wounded Healer’s substack: https://bethanydearbornhiser.substack.com/p/on-hope-and-the-healthy-mind-platter

Reminders for your Tuesday:Boundaries don't make you selfish. They just mean you have a healthy sense of self. You are a...
03/17/2026

Reminders for your Tuesday:

Boundaries don't make you selfish. They just mean you have a healthy sense of self. You are allowed to set limits in your own life.

Having needs is normal. You're human, and humans have needs. It's okay to admit that you need some help, nobody can do it all on their own.

It's okay if someone doesn't like you. You've survived things a lot worse than dislike. There are many people in the world who will love you just as you are. Spend your energy on them.

Accountability is loving. Letting others be responsible for their own actions is an act of love.

Image description: Green background with white text from above.

With gratitude for post written by Tabitha Terlunen. Such helpful reminders. ⁠

03/10/2026

Due to venue shift and team support, this fundraiser has been rescheduled to the Fall!

Please stay tuned for our new date and thanks so much for your ongoing support!

We plan to celebrate the movement to end domestic violence in person with you all very soon.

If you have an questions please reach out to our front desk at hope@nwfamilylife.org"

Happy International Women's Day from all of us at NWFL! Along with many celebrating this day around the world, we also i...
03/09/2026

Happy International Women's Day from all of us at NWFL! Along with many celebrating this day around the world, we also imagine a world where all are honored, respected, and treated as valued. "A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Together we can forge gender equality."

Strength to each of you this day, for all the ways you care and show up in the world!

We are grateful for you! 💜

Milestones along the healing journey include:❤️ When you trust yourself to make decisions.❤️ When you don't get stuck ju...
03/09/2026

Milestones along the healing journey include:

❤️ When you trust yourself to make decisions.
❤️ When you don't get stuck just because you made a mistake, because perfection isn't the goal.
❤️ You recognize that you aren't for everyone, and everyone isn't for you—but it's important that you like yourself.
❤️ You don't feel like you have to do something to earn love and belonging—you are enough as you are.
❤️ You begin to recognize that though your traumatic experiences may have shaped you, they don't define you.
❤️ You can show your younger self compassion for what you did to survive.

Gratitude for these words written by Tabitha Terlunen

Need some help? hope@nwfamilylife.org northwestfamilylife.org 206-363-9601 or: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

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A gentle reminder about the Power & Control Wheel. The power and control wheel is an advocacy tool designed to show how ...
03/04/2026

A gentle reminder about the Power & Control Wheel. The power and control wheel is an advocacy tool designed to show how behaviors outside of physical and sexual violence can still be used to abuse people. This is revolutionary for so many people.

Take a deep breath and take a look when you are ready.

One tactic of Power & Control is using privilege.

Using privilege can look like:
-- treating you like a servant
-- making all big decisions
-- defining and enforcing gender roles or duties
-- weaponizing systemic privilege like gender, race, class, citizenship, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status
-- always knowing what’s best for you

Using systemic privilege to control, threaten, or harm a partner is abusive behavior.

(This information has been adapted and expanded from the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth, Minnesota)

Need some help? hope@nwfamilylife.org northwestfamilylife.org 206-363-9601 or: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Image description: First slide: Image of the power and control wheel with the categories isolation, intimidation, emotional abuse, economic abuse, using privilege, using children, blame/denial/minimizing, and coercion and threats. Following slides: Dark blue/grey background with white and teal text from above.

Remember, it’s not your job to make yourself smaller, quieter, or sweeter in order to make other people comfortable. You...
02/27/2026

Remember, it’s not your job to make yourself smaller, quieter, or sweeter in order to make other people comfortable. You have the right to be you.

Gentle Reminder:
You are loved as you are.
Your voice matters.
Your authentic presence is a gift.

Need some help? hope@nwfamilylife.org northwestfamilylife.org 206-363-9601 or: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Image description: Dark blue/gray background with white text from above.

Nervous System Reset! Looking for some ways to calm your nervous system, guided breathing and other body-based grounding...
02/20/2026

Nervous System Reset!

Looking for some ways to calm your nervous system, guided breathing and other body-based grounding practices?

Resma Menakem emphasizes how a settled body, settles bodies. Whatever your stage of life or work, we need support to ground our bodies amidst stress and chaos around us.

Check out these free resources, from 7-8 minute practices on to 60-90 minute yoga sessions with Dr. Arielle Schwartz
https://drarielleschwartz.com/vagus-nerve-yoga/

Love to hear what you think and if you are joining us in this challenge!
https://insig.ht/KeafS2gaV0b

Happy Valentine’s Day, survivors! ❤️❤️❤️Posted • Love letters to and from survivors of sexual violence 💌 🎨 by .love.le...
02/14/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day, survivors! ❤️❤️❤️

Posted • Love letters to and from survivors of sexual violence 💌 🎨 by .love.letter

Today (and everyday), is flooding the internet with love letters to survivors. Check out .love.letter to view other letters of support. You can also write your own survivor love letter and download the toolkit at survivorloveletter.com

”After my assault I felt so isolated. Since publicly coming out as a q***r woman of color and a survivor I’ve met so many more survivors. That’s the power in Survivor Love Letter. We are able to find each other.”⁠ 💬 SLL Founder, Tani Ikeda ()
💌 by , , and

February is Black History Month! Here are a few staff picks to add to your reading list: Newly Recommended: The Pain We ...
02/11/2026

February is Black History Month! Here are a few staff picks to add to your reading list:

Newly Recommended: The Pain We Carry, Natalie Gutierrez
"If you are a person of color who has experienced repeated trauma—such as discrimination, race-related verbal assault, racial stigmatization, poverty, sexual trauma, or interpersonal violence—you may struggle with intense feelings of anger, mistrust, or shame. You may feel unsafe or uncomfortable in your own body, or struggle with building and keeping close relationships. Sometimes you may feel very alone in your pain. But you are not alone. This groundbreaking work illuminates the phenomena of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) as it is uniquely experienced by people of color, and provides a much-needed path to health and wholeness."

Setting Aside Silence: A Domestic Violence Word Journey for Survivors and Their Loved Ones: Written by our friend and colleague Shawn Richard-Davis, Setting Aside Silence (One Word at a Time) uses a faith-based approach to understanding domestic violence. Using an alphabetized list of words, definitions and resources, this is a book for victims, survivors, family members and friends who want to understand more about domestic violence.

My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Path to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies:
While this groundbreaking work focuses on racialized trauma and the pathway to mending hearts and bodies, it's a must read for anyone wanting to understand more about how trauma lives not in the head, but in the body. It's full of practices to help the reader learn to settle their own body and has step by step guides for healing, based on the latest in neuroscience and somatics.

What are you reading?

TRUTH: domestic violence disproportionality affects women of color.Statistics are hard to read. Pause and let the follow...
02/05/2026

TRUTH: domestic violence disproportionality affects women of color.

Statistics are hard to read.
Pause and let the following statistic
sink in...

According to the CDC, 53.6% of non-Hispanic Black women in the United States have reported experiencing contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetimes." (Repost from )
"This is completely unacceptable. Black survivors deserve safety, support, and justice - and the domestic violence organizations helping them (especially culturally specific organizations) deserve to have funding and resources in order to carry out their lifesaving work."

If you are a black woman in the US,
we want you to know, we see you.

Reach out if you desire accompaniment in your journey. You are valued and worth care, and respect-filled love!

Please consider Liking/Following, donating to, and amplifying content from organizations supporting the Black community (like ) during Black History Month and all year long! Ujima is a national resource center that provides support and is a voice for the Black community in response to domestic, sexual and community violence.
1-844-77-UJIMA

Address

12360 Lake City Way NE Suite 420
Seattle, WA
98125

Website

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3VH5XSF2F3OC5?ref_=wl_share

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