Author: Rachel Hercman, LCSW
Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and one of the most influential thinkers in the field of psychology today. Among his contributions to the field is the formulation of what are called ‘defense mechanisms’. In lay terms, defense mechanisms are internal “security guards” inside of us whose goal is to protect us from experiencing pain and …
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I recently watched this video and thought it did a great job illustrating the effect that social media has on our lives and how it has, in some ways, turned us into 24/7 PR representatives for ourselves. There are many merits to technology and social media, and the fact that we no longer need to …
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Looking around at messages in the media, it appears that we live in an anti-aging society. The desire to look and feel young has translated into a billion dollar industry in numerous fields, with people vying to find the fountain of youth on the presumption that life is inherently more fun when you’re young. Among …
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How do we combat an issue that nobody talks about? First step: We talk about it! Vaginismus is a condition where a woman can’t get a penis (finger, or tampon) into her vagina and is one of those issues that often lives in silence and shame. Around here, vaginismus is household term, but in society it’s …
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Sometimes unpredictability makes life more fun, adventurous, and interesting. But when it comes to sexual dysfunction, unpredictability can intensify the emotional pain and lead to continued avoidance and distance. When you can’t trust that your body and mind will show up for sex the way you hope, it may make you want to say, why …
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On the subject of exercise, one of my favorite lines is from the movie “Legally Blond”. Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, declares: “I just don’t think that Brooke could’ve done this [murder]. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands”. While the logic is a little um, stretched, she definitely has a …
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In our center, we often discuss—with our patients and amongst the staff– the myths and misconceptions people have around relationships and sexuality. But it’s hard to be aware of it, because you don’t know what you don’t know. And with the abundance of inaccurate sexual information all over the place, it’s difficult to get the …
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Change. Our biggest fantasy; our biggest fear. When it comes to improving our lives—in any area—looking for signs of progress is normal and totally makes sense. Especially if it’s something you are working hard to change, it’s probably going to be something you are watching closely. And your sense of satisfaction is informed by not …
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In today’s world of hustle and bustle, we are more than just busy; we are often disconnected from ourselves and what is going on in our bodies. While it may not seem like a big deal, this disconnect pervades many areas of life. Many of our patients talk about wanting to experience more sexual pleasure …
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As you are reading this, I’d like you notice your feet on the ground. Your back against the chair. Your breath coming in and out. Congrats, you just did a grounding exercise. A grounding exercise is a conscious intervention that brings us back to the present, to the here-and-now. To where the body is at …
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