Rachel Damin, LMHC

10/17/2022

Link in bio to read about the Four Horsemen of the (Relationship) Apocalypse AKA the 4 communication styles that are harming your relationships!

10/07/2022

Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve checked in on here! For those of you who are new and don’t know me - hi, I’m Rachel! I’m a therapist based in New York City and I specialize in working with eating disorders/body image difficulties, clients who identify as s*x workers, OCD, and s*x and love addiction. I’m so glad you’re here!

01/02/2022

It’s never too late to start fresh, try again, and be the best version of yourself!

12/25/2021

Wishing everyone a happy and gentle holiday season! Holidays can be joyful and exciting but can also lead to difficult conversations with loved ones surrounding food and weight. Link in bio to learn some tools to get through these family gatherings a bit easier.

12/16/2021

Rest in peace and power, bell hooks.

11/25/2021

I hope you are able to make space for gratitude, joy and warmth today and every day - happy thanksgiving!

11/02/2021

As the spookiest (and my personal favorite!) season comes to a close, I wanted to highlight an unlikely phenomena: HORROR MOVIES CAN BE HELPFUL FOR ANXIETY!

Yes, you heard me right! Research out of the University of Chicago states that those who suffer from anxiety are more likely to be fans of horror AND those who do enjoy horror may be able to find some short-term relief of their symptoms through watching scary movies.

Those who have anxiety often have a higher interest in what is referred to as “morbid curiosity” - this is an interest in learning about threatening situations. Because of the human brain’s primitive desire to keep ourselves safe, it can actually feel comforting to learn about things/circumstances that are scary to you because it can help you learn about potential threats.

So much of what is terrifying about life is the element of uncertainty and the anxiety over the unknown. Scary movies can offer an opportunity to remain in control over what you allow to scare you in a way that is safe, controlled, and somewhat predictable. By choosing to engage in watching horror movies - you are actually working to regain control over your own emotional state.

There are so many different ways that horror movies can be helpful for mental health - they can allow us to explore taboo topics, force us to face our fears, and give us space to play in worlds unlike our own. What horror movie is your favorite??

10/14/2021

RESILIENCE- probably the world of the year (or the word of the pandemic, or the word of the past decade!) But are some people just born with resilience? Can you develop it? What if you want to be more resilient? If you want to learn how to increase your resilience and navigate life’s challenges in a better way - VISIT THE LINK IN BIO!

09/24/2021

Is it hard for you to set and keep boundaries? Do you feel like you don’t always know what your boundary is until someone crosses it? Boundaries can be incredibly challenging to navigate, especially if you are not used to putting them in place and having others respect them. It can also feel really uncomfortable and maybe even sometimes MEAN to put boundaries in place with certain friends or loved ones around your time, communication, energy, and money. Despite the difficulty, boundaries are truly an expression of love and respect, both for yourself and for those close to you.

If you have thoughts or questions about navigating boundaries in your own life - reach out at the link in my bio!

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09/12/2021

09/11/2021

I love being a New Yorker. I love this city and I am consistently in awe of the resilience and spirit of those who live here. Remembering all those lost on this day and their loved ones 🤍

09/09/2021

In order for a wound to heal, it needs to first be cleaned out. I think about the physical wound healing process quite a bit when considering the purpose and process of psychotherapy.

Most people come to therapy with an idea that they just need to “fix” or “solve” one specific problem and that, once they learn how to fix the problem, they will be healed. While it’s not an entirely incorrect fantasy, most of the real work of therapy, and where most of the healing comes from, is through the proverbial “cleaning out” phase. I believe that it’s important to acknowledge and sit with the discomfort of our negative emotions and stories so that we can learn how best to move forward. We need to treat the wound before we can wrap it up.

09/06/2021

L’shana Tova! The Jewish new year is a time to reflect on the past and an even greater opportunity to start with a fresh, clean slate. Wishing all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah a sweet new year!

09/06/2021

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 8 went into effect in Texas. This law prohibits legal and safe abortions after six weeks. I say legal and safe abortions because laws like Senate Bill 8 do not prevent pregnant individuals from seeking abortion, they simply cause those individuals to seek unsafe, illegal, and unregulated forms of terminating their unwanted pregnancies. Abortions have taken place prior to Roe v. Wade in 1973 and they will continue to happen, regardless of legislation.

This leads me to my next point - s*xuality is not a sin. It is not wrong or sinful to engage in consensual, s*xual activities and those who do so still have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives.

When legislation like SB 8 is introduced, it is understandable that you might feel afraid, anxious, and low. Discussions about abortion rights in the news can bring up past traumatic memories and can cause general discomfort. If you are feeling emotionally impacted by these developments- reach out for support. You are not alone and you deserve the space to discuss your thoughts.

09/02/2021

Music has always been an incredible source of joy, creativity, and inspiration for me - it has also always served as a vital emotional outlet. I often look towards lyrics from my favorite artists when I do not have the language to express my own inner experience and it can feel extremely validating to know that someone, somewhere, has experienced the same feeling that you have. Music connects us and can provide us with the ability to articulate and communicate our experiences in a new way that is easy for others to comprehend.

Just like Penny Lane once said: “if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends”.

What are the songs, artists, and lyrics that you feel especially connected to today? Comment down below!

09/01/2021

“YOU MATTER” This is the mantra that I am going to be repeating all month: YOU MATTER. September 1st marks the start of National Su***de Awareness and Prevention Month. This is a global effort that aims to increase awareness, understanding and to support those who may be severely struggling with their mental health.

When dealing with severe depression, it can often feel like you are alone. This is a message to remind you that you are not alone. Your life matters and the world is better because you are in it. There is support available to you and the pain that you are feeling right now is only temporary, even if it doesn’t feel that way.

During this month it is time to reach out and if you need it! It is also time to who you might not think could be struggling. Depression is a silent and often very private struggle that prevents those who are hurting from reaching out due to stigma, fear of response, or fear of judgement.

If you believe that you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or having thoughts of su***de there are resources available to you:

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-273-8255) (24/7 support)

http://www.su***depreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx

Remember: YOU MATTER.

***deprevention ***deawarenessmonth

08/30/2021

it’s my first day in the new office! i am so excited to welcome you into this space where you can explore who you are and become the best version of yourself. Link in bio to make your first appointment!

08/28/2021

The NYTimes recently shared an article discussing the ways in which teenagers are changing the conversation about ”mental health days”. Teens are advocating for their mental health in ways that previous generations were not able to and have been able to make real strides and change the perception about what is considered to be an “acceptable” reason for missing school and/or work. Difficulties with your mental health are just as important and valid as physical ailments and deserve to be taken seriously. Let’s keep listening to the teens- they know that their mental health needs to be prioritized!

If you’re feeling like you could really use a mental health day- TAKE ONE! And reach out for support if you feel like it would be helpful. Link in bio.