“Engaging in mood-boosting activities like spending time near water, exercising, journaling, or calling a friend can all increase dopamine, and if done consistently, can enhance overall happiness measures,” says psychotherapist Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy. Creating a dopamine-boosting list of activities can also help if you’re generally feeling a bit down, overwhelmed, or unmotivated, she says.

Rachel sheds light on how the emotional toll of infertility can manifest in unexpected ways. She also provides real-world advice on how to cope with the infamous two-week wait, the constant rollercoaster of emotions, and the anxiety and depression that many face during this journey.

On today's episode of The Surrogacy Scoop, we sit down with Rachel Goldberg, Licensed Marriage & Family, and Perinatal Mental Health Certified Therapist. Rachel explores all the unexpected factors that come with surrogacy from the intented parents side, surrogate, and agency perspective, and gives real examples of how she navigated unique surrogacy related challenges.

“Having a conversation about how the person hurt you, why you feel betrayed, and allowing them to apologize and acknowledge the pain they’ve caused is a great first step in rebuilding the friendship,” says Goldberg.

"Crypto traders have a proclivity for risk-taking and a lack of impulse control," commented Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, PMH-C. "They are lured in by the promise of quick rewards but stay for the highs and lows, which are similar to addiction. There is a dopamine effect when doing well that brings a high and a desire for more of it. Unfortunately, there are also losing days that bring on very low lows. The allure of getting back that (dopamine) high keeps traders in the game, despite ultimately often giving back any gains."

However, it’s worth noting that most experts say flirting is, by definition, never purely innocent: “There’s always intention behind flirting, and anything that has intention behind it is not innocent,” says licensed marriage and family therapist Rachel Goldberg. “Whether you’re trying to get something you want, trying to be perceived in a certain way, or trying to signal you find someone attractive, flirting has a purpose.”

To be fair, as Goldberg explains, “In Cardi B's case, the pressure she faces to ‘bounce back’ is likely intensified by the frequent public commentary about her appearance. This likely leads her to feel the need to prove she's taking control of her body.” 

According to Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, PMH-C, a licensed marriage and family therapist, if a friend has gone through a miscarriage, the best response is simply to say you’re sorry. She advises, "Just saying you’re sorry is sufficient unless they want to share more.” While it might feel awkward to remain silent after saying ‘I’m sorry,’ it’s often better than risking saying something that could hurt them further.

Goldberg says, "It's important to stay off their phone and be fully present during this first meeting."

“This study highlights that individuals on psychiatric medications who used GLP-1s tended to disproportionately experience suicidal ideation,” Goldberg continued. “This could suggest that GLP-1s may impact how psychiatric medications work, potentially reducing their effectiveness and leading to persistent thoughts that might not have occurred otherwise.”

"One of the most crucial aspects of successful therapy is the connection between therapist and client. Research shows that this human connection is the foundation for why therapy works in helping someone to grow."

Self-awareness is our ability to understand our emotions, thoughts, and beliefs, and how they affect our behaviors. A self-aware person knows their strengths, weaknesses, and areas in their life that need significant improvement.

Choosing the right flange size and right kind of pump is an integral part of having a successful pumping experience, Goldberg says, but there’s often a lack of information on what pump makes sense for different people.

“Joining support groups tailored to men can help normalize PPD and reduce feelings of shame and isolation. Knowing that other men feel similarly breaks down walls and encourages openness,” she says.

According to Goldberg, men often cope by internalizing their feelings or adopting a more solution-focused approach, whereas women tend to be more emotion-driven and interested in talking about it often.

They discuss body image, eating disorders, and the impact of social media on self-esteem.

“An anxious attachment style can lead to feelings of abandonment, and ruminating can help someone feel closer to their ex,” explains Goldberg. “This can help them maintain control over sometimes intolerable emotions.”

“If during the break, the couple engages in similar contact (i.e. texting throughout the day, meeting up late at night after drinking for physical comfort, etc.), there won’t be enough space between them to help them make an informed and non-emotional decision,” explains Goldberg.

It boosts mood and helps alleviate anxiety, depression and stress. Physiologically, exercise increases endorphins, which are feel-good neurotransmitters that also can improve sleep quality and reduce the stress hormone cortisol.

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Rachel Goldberg LMFT, PMH joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about: 1) binge and restrictive eating habits and how that can affect fertility 2) the reasons why disordered eating or exercise can cause fertility issues 3) the guilt and shame that go along with this these diagnoses 4) the small changes suggestions people can make to try to get them out of a destructive feeding pattern 5) her thoughts on ozempic and other meds that have been linked to increased fertility success and how that plays a role in someone’s habits