Victoria Rivera, Wellness Psychotherapist

03/25/2026

This was a tough winter for NYC! Spring is finally here … but not everyone reacts positively to it.
Seasonal transitions can also bring an increase in anxiety, restlessness, and even depression.
More sunlight can shift our sleep patterns, change our energy levels, and bring emotions that may have felt dormant during the winter back to the surface. And with spring often comes pressure to do more, socialize more, or suddenly feel better.
But just like nature, growth happens gradually.

This spring, give yourself permission to thaw slowly, release what no longer serves you, and move forward with compassion and awareness.
Your mental health deserves the same patience we give the changing seasons.

03/11/2026

🚴‍♀️ $34 million raised for rare cancer research.
This weekend I rode in Cycle for Survival, and thousands of people came together to raise funds, honor loved ones, and support breakthroughs in treatment.
But something else happens in moments like this.
When we take action to help others, it shifts our mental state.
🧠 Research shows that helping others increases feelings of purpose, reduces stress, and strengthens emotional resilience.
In times when the world feels uncertain or heavy, contribution reminds us that we still have power.
You may not be able to fix everything.�But you can always make a difference somewhere.
And that matters….for the world and for your mental health.

03/04/2026

🚴‍♀️ Cancer affects more than the body—it affects the mind, the nervous system, and the emotional safety of everyone involved.
This year, I’m participating in Cycle for Survival, raising funds for rare cancer research.
As a therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how cancer brings anxiety, grief, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion—not just for patients, but for families and caregivers too.
Some important truths:
• Nearly 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime�• Up to 60% of cancer patients experience anxiety or depression�• Rare cancers account for almost half of all diagnoses, yet receive far less research funding
Research brings hope.�And hope is powerful medicine—for the body and the mind.
If cancer has touched your life, or if you believe in supporting healing, I invite you to donate through the link in my bio.
Every contribution makes a difference.

02/19/2026

🚴‍♀️ Cancer affects more than the body, it affects the mind, the nervous system, and the mental health of everyone involved.
This year, I’m participating in Cycle for Survival, raising funds for rare cancer research.
As a therapist and friend of many people who have/had cancer, I’ve seen firsthand how cancer brings anxiety, grief, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion and not just for patients, but for families, friends and caregivers too.
Some important truths:
• Nearly 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime�• Up to 60% of cancer patients experience anxiety or depression�• Rare cancers account for almost half of all diagnoses, yet receive far less research funding
Research brings hope.�And hope is powerful medicine, for the body and the mind.
If cancer has touched your life, or if you believe in supporting healing, I invite you to donate through the link in my bio.
Every contribution makes a difference.

02/12/2026

Healing happens when people are seen.

This year marks the 100-year anniversary of Black History Month, a time to honor resilience, brilliance, and generations of stories that shaped this country, often without recognition or safety.
And this week, we also watched Bad Bunny take the Super Bowl stage, unapologetically rooted in Puerto Rican/Latin culture, language, and pride.
These moments matter for our mental health.
Representation and community regulates our nervous system 
Being seen reduces shame.
Culture, music, and history help us connect feel safer in the world.
Let’s help the world heal!
Healing doesn’t only happen in the therapy room, it happens when stories are honored, joy is reclaimed, and identity is allowed to take up space.
This month, may we remember, celebrate, and heal together.

02/04/2026

Your body is always speaking to you. The question is are you listening?
So many of us were taught to suppress, avoid, or “push through” our emotions.�But emotions don’t just disappear, they live and are expressed in the body.�Tight shoulders, racing thoughts, an upset stomach, that subtle sense of dread...�These are all forms of communication.
Let your body be your guide.�Let your feelings rise and move through.
�And remember: feeling isn’t weakness, it’s awareness.

01/21/2026

Everything in biology costs energy.�Your body works hard to filter, repair, detox, and regulate.

If you are feeling drained, foggy, or off balance take a look at what you may be inadvertently doing that’s decreasing your energy.
Drinking alcohol, for example takes energy to detox and you are borrowing energy from the next day. Giving your body back the energy it’s already using to cope and clear helps to support them. �
Ask yourself what happened that is stealing my energy right now?

01/14/2026

01/07/2026

Everyone’s talking about New Year goals and fresh starts and I want to support that but I also want to acknowledge for those of us who aren’t feeling that surge of motivation right now, it’s ok!

Last year, I did the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge and came out with clarity about my goals and optimism for the new year. This year? It was harder. I was cold, overwhelmed, and honestly a little discouraged. And that’s was ok.
This year, I’m not chasing big goals, I’m going to focus on maintaining what’s working. That’s growth too. Stability is a win. Peace is a goal.
Having said that, making some small shifts can have a big impact (go to sleep 30 minutes earlier, have a salad, take vitamin D daily, whatever it is that moves you one step further!)
So, If you are not bursting with new-year energy, you’re not behind. You’re human. Give yourself permission to move into this year slowly. Some seasons are for blooming. Others are for grounding.

You don’t have to be full of motivation just because it’s January.��
If your only “goal” this month is to maintain your mental health, protect your peace, or just get out of bed and be kind to yourself, you’re already doing something powerful.

Not every year starts off like a rocket, sometimes you just need a soft landing.

TherapistOnInstagram

01/05/2026

My 2025 Highlights!

01/01/2026

🌊🥶 I did the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge again… and this year hit different.
Last year, I stayed in the water longer.
I made a video on the beach and took pics.
It felt energizing.

This year? It was hard.
Colder. Windier. My toes were already numb before I even hit the water.
I came out shivering and said, “I’m not doing this again.”
But the truth is… I will.
Because that’s life sometimes.
We do hard things.
We get knocked down by the waves, the wind—literal and emotionally.
We question ourselves in the moment, and still we prove we are resilient!
This plunge reminded me:
Discomfort doesn’t mean you’re weak.
Struggle doesn’t mean you’re failing.
And pushing through safely…intentionally….and with care builds resilience that shows up long after you re-regulate!
I warmed up with soup, music, and a Guinness.
I grounded. I recovered.
And I remembered: we can do hard things. Even again. Even if it hurts.

12/18/2025

🎄✨ The holidays can bring joy….and can also stir up a lot of emotions.
Old family dynamics, overstimulation, financial stress, grief, or just plain exhaustion. It’s all real, and it’s all valid.
This week’s video is your gentle reminder to:
🧠 Be aware of your feelings.
Are you overwhelmed, irritated, sad, or stretched too thin? Name it. That’s the first step to managing it.
🛑 Set boundaries.
You don’t have to go to every event. You don’t have to engage in every conversation. You’re allowed to protect your peace.
🪞 Be accountable.
The holidays aren’t a free pass to lash out, regress, or self-abandon. Reflect on your actions. Own what’s yours. Offer grace—first to yourself, then to others.
You don’t have to have a perfect holiday. But you can have a conscious one. One rooted in clarity, care, and intention.