How often do you find yourself deep in shame or self-criticism when things aren’t going your way? Do you feel this when you’re trying to access healthcare, commute or find a therapist? The barrier might be bigger than you or your attitude. Tune in as licensed therapists and Viva co-founders Jor-El Caraballo and Rachel Gersten dig into the tension between individual concerns and systemic failures. We hope you enjoy! Related reading: https://vivamentalhealth.com/please-vote/

Is high-functioning actually a thing?  If you’ve been on the gram or TikTok then you’d probably think so! Tune in to listen to this episode as mental health experts and licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo break it down. Rate and review this episode! And, as always, send us your thoughts, questions and comments on Instagram (@vivawellnessnyc). We’d love to hear from you!

Who do you take seriously these days and where do you get your information? There's been a lot of changes in how we get information and who we trust (PS believe science!). Why is that?  The rise of social media and influencer culture impacts our lives, the choices we make and who we trust. Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El talk about the rise of amateurism and why we really need to be listening to experts whenever we can. Give professionals their flowers!

How often do you check your assumptions? Whether you like the old phrase (you know the one) about making assumptions or not, it’s something that we all do. We can’t escape that! But, if we make it a point to check on our assumptions we can prevent some unintentional harm and damage in our relationships.  Tune in to our latest episode to hear licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo weigh in on how assumptions impact our daily lives.

Let’s face it - we live in a social media world…especially in the middle of a global pandemic. We live a lot of our lives online, but should we be?  Social media can be good for us: it offers connection and community where we might not otherwise find it. But, it’s also become another way for us to perform socially and sometimes share intimate details of our lives.  Is it too much? Are you oversharing? Tune in to this episode for some suggestions in evaluating your relationship with social media and privacy.

We’re getting real folks. The phrase “mental health crisis” has been thrown around quite a bit as we collectively struggle to grapple with the ongoing pandemic and recent surges. But, what does that mean? Are we REALLY in a mental health crisis as a society? Tune in as licensed therapists Rachel Gersten and Jor-El Caraballo explore what a crisis of mental health means and how certain figures only talk about mental health when they are experiencing something they don’t like (hint: THAT’S NOT A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS…and its ableist language, to be honest). And as always, send us your thoughts, questions and comments. We’d love to hear from you! Check in with us on our socials at @vivawellnessnyc.

Have you ever felt the pressure to be happier than you were actually feeling? If so, you might have been dealing with toxic positivity. All emotions are a part of the human experience and you deserve the right to feel all the feels! Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El reflect on toxic positivity culture and offer up some thoughts on embracing how you really feel (and creating space for others to do so too).

2022 is almost here! No matter what you've been through this year, if you want to take a moment to reflect and process your year then this episode is for you! Tune in as Rachel and Jor-El share some thoughts on how to reflect on the year behind you with meaning, authenticity and intention. Enjoy!

More and more we find ourselves having conversations about accountability, especially when it comes to social causes. But this is something we also run into in our own personal relationships - but what does the word actually mean? What does it mean to hold someone truly accountable...and what about yourself? Tune into our latest episode as licensed therapists Rachel and Jor-El talk all things accountability. We hope this helps!  And as always, send us your thoughts, questions and comments. We’d love to hear from you! Check in with us at @vivawellnessnyc.

It’s official...holiday season is upon us!  How are you taking care of yourself as you navigate this time of year? Many of us are celebrating in ways similar to last year, but as vaccination rates have increased many more people are traveling and reconnecting in person with family members, and loved ones, for the first time in a long while.   Listen to our latest episode as Rachel and Jor-El talk through navigating the 2021 holiday season. Check the show notes for our other holiday season episodes for a bit more support as well. Enjoy! Recommended listening: Managing Your Mental Health During the HolidaysManaging Your Mental Health During a Pandemic Holiday Season