Karen (they/them)
@karenpollock.bsky.social
white, queer, non binary, autistic, working class psychotherapist, supervisor, writer and geek.
"But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass"
counsellinginnorthumberland.com
header shows the Northern Lights
"But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass"
counsellinginnorthumberland.com
header shows the Northern Lights
Pinned
Authentic Self-Care: Beyond Capitalism’s Promises
I talk a lot about self care, not commodified "spend this money to somehow magically make everything better" self care as promoted by capitalism. Instead the self care which gives us time and space to check in with ourselves and ask - what do I need and how do I meet that need. Self care can totally mean bubble baths and chocolate, but it can also mean saying no, cutting contact, putting aside a project, changing plans, boundaries and protections.
counsellinginnorthumberland.com
Just why did I start a podcast about mental health and tolkien? Some thoughts on my podcast -Go Not To the ELves for Counsel #AureEntuluva #SelfCare
Things cis people around me have gendered recently
Salad
Coffee and a diet coke
Christmas crafting
Preparing a meal
a bacon roll
Chips
How to roast a chicken
Walking for pleasure
Salad
Coffee and a diet coke
Christmas crafting
Preparing a meal
a bacon roll
Chips
How to roast a chicken
Walking for pleasure
November 27, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Things cis people around me have gendered recently
Salad
Coffee and a diet coke
Christmas crafting
Preparing a meal
a bacon roll
Chips
How to roast a chicken
Walking for pleasure
Salad
Coffee and a diet coke
Christmas crafting
Preparing a meal
a bacon roll
Chips
How to roast a chicken
Walking for pleasure
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
![Comic. Panels up to the 10-year point are grayed out. New panels since the Ten Years comic, which chronicles the first ten years of PERSON 1's journey with cancer: (1) [two people in bed] PERSON 1 (woman): One more chapter? PERSON 2 (man): Don’t we both have to get up early? PERSON 1: Nnnnnggggh PERSON 2: Sure, good point. (2) [many people wearing masks, walking while looking at graphs on their phones] (3) [birds landing on people] PERSON 2 in beanie and scarf: Hah! They like *my* seeds best. PERSON 1 in scarf holding phone with a bird sitting on it: Wait, how do I take a picture of this one? (4) [two people rowing boats with tree landscape] (5) [Person 1 carries overflowing stack of things to Person 2 in bed] PERSON 1: I brought you honey lemon tea, more pillows, a cinnamon roll, Tylenol, another blanket, a– PERSON 2: It was just Appendicitis, I’m really– PERSON 1: *It is my turn to take care of you and I am going to do it right!* (6) [Two people in car] (7) [still in car) PERSON 1: Oh my god. PERSON 2: Oh my god. (8) [car driving] PERSON 1: Pull over! PERSON 2: I am! (9) [both people get out of car] (10) [Large colored panel of aurora borealis over water with both people looking on] (11) [Person 1 sits against tree while Person 2 lies on the ground] PERSON 1: Fifteen years. No sign of the cancer. (12) I *am* having some weird symptoms. Joint pain. Fatigue. I think I’m losing my close-up vision. PERSON 2: Yeah. Me too. (13) PERSON 2: I think we’re getting old. (14) PERSON 1: I guess that’s okay. PERSON 2: It’s all I wanted.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihwhjblp5lyiwp63ouar7ocfea7evmckytoeo7rkfuoo4gw5rnrra@jpeg)
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
This is quite beautiful
November 26, 2025 at 6:48 PM
This is quite beautiful
So proud to have this in the Journal of Tolkien Research and @roberttally.bsky.social without your book it wouldn't exist - thank you!
scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftol... #Tolkien #LOTR #TRoP #Orcs #LordofTheRings #Therapysky
scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftol... #Tolkien #LOTR #TRoP #Orcs #LordofTheRings #Therapysky
Trauma Therapy for Orcs: A Psychotherapeutic Consideration of Orcs in Tolkien's Legendarium
The complex, violent behavior of the Orcs can be understood through the lens of modern trauma psychology, specifically Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and the mechanism of Intergenerati...
scholar.valpo.edu
November 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
So proud to have this in the Journal of Tolkien Research and @roberttally.bsky.social without your book it wouldn't exist - thank you!
scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftol... #Tolkien #LOTR #TRoP #Orcs #LordofTheRings #Therapysky
scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftol... #Tolkien #LOTR #TRoP #Orcs #LordofTheRings #Therapysky
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
He knew now, and the knowledge was hard, that his task had never been to undo what he had done, but to finish what he had begun.
November 26, 2025 at 8:41 AM
He knew now, and the knowledge was hard, that his task had never been to undo what he had done, but to finish what he had begun.
so proud to be part of this groundbreaking book - with the offical book launch in January! #bookssky #therapistsconnect #lgbtq #queertherapy #queertherapists www.outsavvy.com/event/31887/...
Book Launch & Celebration Tickets - - OutSavvy
Join us for the online launch of the very first textbook on Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) Therapy. Edited by Dominic Davies, Silva Neves & Antonio PrunasPublished by Routledge Frid...
www.outsavvy.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:55 PM
so proud to be part of this groundbreaking book - with the offical book launch in January! #bookssky #therapistsconnect #lgbtq #queertherapy #queertherapists www.outsavvy.com/event/31887/...
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform’s ‘Trumpian’ legal threats hint at more aggressive approach to media
Ultimatums sent to publications appear to intensify as Nigel Farage’s party rises in polls
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
If you receive legal threats from Nigel Farage for your reporting of Reform, please get in touch.
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
We have employed a defamation lawyer specifically for this purpose and would love to help (and we do so on non-commercial terms). www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
BREAKING: Same-sex marriages performed in EU member states that allow them must be recognised across the entire EU.
www.dw.com/en/eu-same-s...
www.dw.com/en/eu-same-s...
Same-sex marriage must be recognized across EU, court rules – DW – 11/25/2025
European Union countries must recognize the lawful same-sex marriages of EU citizens conducted in other member states, the bloc's top court has ruled.
www.dw.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:58 AM
BREAKING: Same-sex marriages performed in EU member states that allow them must be recognised across the entire EU.
www.dw.com/en/eu-same-s...
www.dw.com/en/eu-same-s...
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
This is one of the big accounts boosting Tommy Robinson, Farage and Reform and ‘English Patriots’.
It’s Russian.
It’s Russian.
November 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
This is one of the big accounts boosting Tommy Robinson, Farage and Reform and ‘English Patriots’.
It’s Russian.
It’s Russian.
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
Tolkien bluesky! 🧝🏼♀️✨ With the holiday shopping season coming up, let’s get a thread of community/fan merch suggestions going! Could you share some of your favorites?
And if you’re an artist in the fandom, please feel free to share your store or commissions info!
And if you’re an artist in the fandom, please feel free to share your store or commissions info!
November 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Tolkien bluesky! 🧝🏼♀️✨ With the holiday shopping season coming up, let’s get a thread of community/fan merch suggestions going! Could you share some of your favorites?
And if you’re an artist in the fandom, please feel free to share your store or commissions info!
And if you’re an artist in the fandom, please feel free to share your store or commissions info!
Your reminder, for those who need it, that behaviour does not confer identity
November 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Your reminder, for those who need it, that behaviour does not confer identity
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
"Some parents shared deeply distressing accounts of what they have heard about the services, including stories of patients as young as 11 being continually asked about their genitals and sex life."
Parents say: “They are killing our children” share.google/zAlvx2QNLX1a...
Parents say: “They are killing our children” share.google/zAlvx2QNLX1a...
Parents say: “They are killing our children”
Parents cry out in despair for their children at the NHS Sussex investigation into WellBN's prescription of gender dysphoria medication
share.google
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
"Some parents shared deeply distressing accounts of what they have heard about the services, including stories of patients as young as 11 being continually asked about their genitals and sex life."
Parents say: “They are killing our children” share.google/zAlvx2QNLX1a...
Parents say: “They are killing our children” share.google/zAlvx2QNLX1a...
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
When we labelled Wes Streeting a "CHILD KILLER" we weren't exaggerating.
Parents agree: since Streeting's blockers ban, NHS Sussex has been abusing and killing children.
Thank you to @sophiemolly.co.uk for this harrowing report.
xoxo BASH BACK
Parents agree: since Streeting's blockers ban, NHS Sussex has been abusing and killing children.
Thank you to @sophiemolly.co.uk for this harrowing report.
xoxo BASH BACK
"Some parents shared deeply distressing accounts of what they have heard about the services, including stories of patients as young as 11 being continually asked about their genitals and sex life."
Parents say: “They are killing our children” share.google/zAlvx2QNLX1a...
Parents say: “They are killing our children” share.google/zAlvx2QNLX1a...
Parents say: “They are killing our children”
Parents cry out in despair for their children at the NHS Sussex investigation into WellBN's prescription of gender dysphoria medication
share.google
November 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
When we labelled Wes Streeting a "CHILD KILLER" we weren't exaggerating.
Parents agree: since Streeting's blockers ban, NHS Sussex has been abusing and killing children.
Thank you to @sophiemolly.co.uk for this harrowing report.
xoxo BASH BACK
Parents agree: since Streeting's blockers ban, NHS Sussex has been abusing and killing children.
Thank you to @sophiemolly.co.uk for this harrowing report.
xoxo BASH BACK
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
On this 18th day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re celebrating #Tlingit scholars Nora Marks Dauenhauer’s “Life Woven With Song.”
#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #booksky #writer #indigenous #alaskanative #alaska #nativeamerican #indiegnousart #poetry #poem
verastarbard.com/2025/11/18/t...
#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #booksky #writer #indigenous #alaskanative #alaska #nativeamerican #indiegnousart #poetry #poem
verastarbard.com/2025/11/18/t...
Thirty Days of Alaska Native Books: Day 18
On this eighteenth day of Alaska Native Heritage Month, we’re celebrating “Life Woven With Song” by Tlingit scholar Nora Marks Dauenhauer. It’s a beautiful collection of poems, plays, and stories. …
verastarbard.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 PM
On this 18th day of #AlaskaNativeHeritageMonth we’re celebrating #Tlingit scholars Nora Marks Dauenhauer’s “Life Woven With Song.”
#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #booksky #writer #indigenous #alaskanative #alaska #nativeamerican #indiegnousart #poetry #poem
verastarbard.com/2025/11/18/t...
#nativeamericanheritagemonth #books #booksky #writer #indigenous #alaskanative #alaska #nativeamerican #indiegnousart #poetry #poem
verastarbard.com/2025/11/18/t...
first snow of the year, just a dusting but so pretty
November 19, 2025 at 2:57 PM
first snow of the year, just a dusting but so pretty
in the run up to #tdor this year, as every year, remember that the overwhelming majority of those killed are sex working women of colour
Every death is a tragedy but changing the number of names is about tackling intersections around race and sex work which impact the most vulnerable trans women
Every death is a tragedy but changing the number of names is about tackling intersections around race and sex work which impact the most vulnerable trans women
November 18, 2025 at 7:32 AM
in the run up to #tdor this year, as every year, remember that the overwhelming majority of those killed are sex working women of colour
Every death is a tragedy but changing the number of names is about tackling intersections around race and sex work which impact the most vulnerable trans women
Every death is a tragedy but changing the number of names is about tackling intersections around race and sex work which impact the most vulnerable trans women
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
Another push for donations of you can
So many small, local, independent shops and businesses have been devastated in the run up to Christmas.
So many small, local, independent shops and businesses have been devastated in the run up to Christmas.
You can help recovery by donating to the crowdfunded set up by the mayor and council
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Another push for donations of you can
So many small, local, independent shops and businesses have been devastated in the run up to Christmas.
So many small, local, independent shops and businesses have been devastated in the run up to Christmas.
The lady at the charity shop said it would be good if people donated their old toys before Christmas for families who were struggling
I said charity is a cold and loveless thing* and a revolution so no family was giving other people's cast offs on Christmas day would be a good thing
*clement atlee
I said charity is a cold and loveless thing* and a revolution so no family was giving other people's cast offs on Christmas day would be a good thing
*clement atlee
November 17, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The lady at the charity shop said it would be good if people donated their old toys before Christmas for families who were struggling
I said charity is a cold and loveless thing* and a revolution so no family was giving other people's cast offs on Christmas day would be a good thing
*clement atlee
I said charity is a cold and loveless thing* and a revolution so no family was giving other people's cast offs on Christmas day would be a good thing
*clement atlee
every single employer and sports organisation who jumped at being anti lgbtq now also needs to be taken to court looking at you @britishcycling.org.uk
Under pressure from Europe, court cases and MPs, EHRC withdraws transphobic 'interim update' calling for segregation of Trans+ people
https://www.wearequeeraf.com/ehrc-withdraws-transphobic-interim-opinion-on-supreme-court-ruling-and-demands-ministers-act-at-speed-to-publish-new-statutory-guidance/
https://www.wearequeeraf.com/ehrc-withdraws-transphobic-interim-opinion-on-supreme-court-ruling-and-demands-ministers-act-at-speed-to-publish-new-statutory-guidance/
EHRC withdraws transphobic interim opinion on Supreme Court ruling
The equalities watchdog's move came in an eventful week for British trans rights
www.wearequeeraf.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:28 AM
every single employer and sports organisation who jumped at being anti lgbtq now also needs to be taken to court looking at you @britishcycling.org.uk
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
I’m still struggling with the fact that ICE “brown shirts” went to a taco shop and thought they would get served.
F that!
F that!
November 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I’m still struggling with the fact that ICE “brown shirts” went to a taco shop and thought they would get served.
F that!
F that!
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
What have you done for your own wellbeing today? Moments of self-care don't have to be big things, they can be little things like taking a 5 minute break for a cup of tea and a sit down.
Take a look at TransActual's Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub: transactual.org.uk/wellbeing/
#Wellbeing
Take a look at TransActual's Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub: transactual.org.uk/wellbeing/
#Wellbeing
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
What have you done for your own wellbeing today? Moments of self-care don't have to be big things, they can be little things like taking a 5 minute break for a cup of tea and a sit down.
Take a look at TransActual's Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub: transactual.org.uk/wellbeing/
#Wellbeing
Take a look at TransActual's Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub: transactual.org.uk/wellbeing/
#Wellbeing
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
You cant parachute asylum seekers into deprived areas, in completely inappropriate housing, then say those migrants are 'dividing our country'. You divided the country because you can't organise a basic service and process claims in a timely way
November 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
You cant parachute asylum seekers into deprived areas, in completely inappropriate housing, then say those migrants are 'dividing our country'. You divided the country because you can't organise a basic service and process claims in a timely way
Reposted by Karen (they/them)
Tom beat me to it! I'm thrilled this is out in the world 🎉 It's my first publication in a book, so I'm feeling very sentimental about it all. This is Sauron as biblical femme fatale paper. The VOD is still live, I think, but if you want to read the more polished version in print... you now can! 👁
Another new publication! Thrilled to receive my contributor copy of Númenor, the Frail and Mighty reach print, also featuring @clarelmoore.bsky.social, @mercuryreads.bsky.social, @aranelparmadil.bsky.social, @putriprihatini.bsky.social, and more. Mazel Tov to editor @willsherwood.bsky.social too!
November 15, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Tom beat me to it! I'm thrilled this is out in the world 🎉 It's my first publication in a book, so I'm feeling very sentimental about it all. This is Sauron as biblical femme fatale paper. The VOD is still live, I think, but if you want to read the more polished version in print... you now can! 👁
latest podcast episode The importance of hope in lotr and therapy open.spotify.com/episode/6rzr... #lotr #lordoftherings #tolkien
Hope
open.spotify.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:26 PM
latest podcast episode The importance of hope in lotr and therapy open.spotify.com/episode/6rzr... #lotr #lordoftherings #tolkien