Hi, I am nicole nichols
I began my professional journey as a teenager, unsure of my path. Discovering massage through a workshop, I found it intriguing. I enrolled at the Brian Utting School of Massage in Seattle (now Cortiva) and embarked on a transformative adventure. Little did I know then, massage would become a vital tool for caring not only for my family and myself but also for shaping my outlook on life and enriching me in ways I hadn't imagined.
Since those early days, my life has taken many paths—I've served as a soldier, educator, and mother. Each role has profoundly influenced my identity and perspective. I have come full circle and am expanding my skills and techniques to better serve my clients and community, while nurturing my own growth and fulfillment along the way.
My life is filled with so many gifts. These include my grown children, the family I was born to and chosen family that includes my partners and many important friends. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and someone who is polyamorous, I am committed to creating safe, supportive spaces for my clients.
I have listened to family and friends who experience feeling excluded from service due to mindsets about differences in gender, bodies and identity. I would love to create opportunities to be part of a better and more inclusive story.
This wholeheartedly includes those who experience neurodivergence, have sensory struggles and other kinds of varied perspectives that may impede access due to lack of understanding or a provider’s lack of ability to listen to their lived experience. I try to be open to what my family needs and that extends into my practice with clients and community when possible.
If you have never had a massage before, I will be open to talking about worries, fears or uncertainty that you might feel. If you have medical concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor to see if massage is a safe option for you. Please reach out with questions, if you have them.
OUR Mission Statement and vision
Our mission is to offer bodywork and services that nurture wellness and promote exploration of our whole selves in a healing.
We aspire to become a trusted resource for self-care and self-exploration within our community.
Values:
Connection: We strive to create safe spaces where individuals can connect deeply, embracing their authentic selves and care for each other with empathy, compassion, and inclusivity.
Integrity: We are committed to transparency and honesty in our intentions, ensuring safe and trustworthy care for clients and ourselves.
Creativity: We embrace the joy of creation! We want to share ideas, skills, and personal experiences with courage and love. We are all artists in some way.
Compassion: We humbly endeavor to demonstrate empathy in action while serving and caring for one another.
YOU MATTER
Self-care is a vital component in reducing stress, enhancing well-being, and achieving personal goals in body positivity. Amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, often dedicated time for ourselves is neglected.
At Raven’s Refuge, each session revolves around you. My sole aim is to create a safe space to feel at peace.
I want to push against the social belief that we must persist at all costs to detriment of personal well-being. I believe that you can not care for others without first tending to the needs of self.
New to massage?
For those new to massage therapy, the profound physical and emotional benefits of regular, caring touch may come as a pleasant surprise!
For an experienced massage practitioner, part of the job is to meet clients were they are in their wellness journey. Nurturing individual client experience is important. I want to ensure everyone can enjoy the transformative effects of our services. So, be open and honest about your concerns and questions. I will will do my best to take time to listen.
I also recognize that many have had traumatic experiences with touch. I welcome a dialog about how to assist in creating a safe experience is part of the service.