Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist

Relationships

Stuck in a Toxic Relationship?

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Complicated Love

Why people stay in perpetually conflicted, even abusive relationships and how can they break free, whether or not they decide to leave.

Why people stay in perpetually conflicted, even abusive relationships and how can they break free, whether or not they decide to leave.

Forgiveness

How Do You Know if You Are Ready to Forgive?

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS on September 30, 2024 in Invisible Bruises

Forgiveness is not about minimizing a wrong but coming to terms with it in a way that allows healing. Some will choose to forgive, while others will choose a different path.

Forgiveness is not about minimizing a wrong but coming to terms with it in a way that allows healing. Some will choose to forgive, while others will choose a different path.

Body Image

The Teen Skincare Craze and Its Impact on Mental Health

Tara Well Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in The Clarity

What’s driving the teen skincare phenomenon, and how does it affect their mental health and self-image?

What’s driving the teen skincare phenomenon, and how does it affect their mental health and self-image?

Trauma

The Promise of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Healing Trauma

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in The Refugee Experience

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD and complex trauma. Why did the FDA reject it?

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD and complex trauma. Why did the FDA reject it?

Therapy

Red Light Therapy and Methylene Blue May Promote Brain Health

Mitchell B. Liester M.D. on September 30, 2024 in The Leading Edge

Methylene blue and red light therapy are showing promise for treating depression. Read on to learn how these therapeutics may revolutionize mental health care.

Methylene blue and red light therapy are showing promise for treating depression. Read on to learn how these therapeutics may revolutionize mental health care.

Personality

Learn What Your Money Personality Is

Max Alberhasky Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Psychology, Money, and Happiness

How your hidden beliefs about money may guide your spending.

How your hidden beliefs about money may guide your spending.

Grief

Easing Grief Through Creativity and Joy

Vernita Perkins, PhD and Leonard A. Jason, PhD on September 30, 2024 in The Mental Health Revolution

Experiencing a resurgence of grief you believed was fading? Consider this approach to help alleviate your sorrow.

Experiencing a resurgence of grief you believed was fading? Consider this approach to help alleviate your sorrow.

Anxiety

The Science of Helping Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dogs

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Animal Emotions

Dr. Zazie Todd's new book "Bark!" is the go-to source based on science and positive reinforcement for people who live with one of the many dogs who suffer from fear-filled lives.

Dr. Zazie Todd's new book "Bark!" is the go-to source based on science and positive reinforcement for people who live with one of the many dogs who suffer from fear-filled lives.

Education

5 Strategies for Reaching Out to Students

Ross E O'Hara, Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Nudging Ahead

Are you tired of students ignoring your emails and texts? These 5 strategies will enhance your communications so more students read and take action.

Are you tired of students ignoring your emails and texts? These 5 strategies will enhance your communications so more students read and take action.

Autism

The Problem With the Term "Functioning"

Jennifer Gerlach LCSW on September 30, 2024 in Beyond Mental Health

What does "high-functioning" even mean?

What does "high-functioning" even mean?

Memory

The Psychology of Memory

Lawrence R. Samuel Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Psychology Yesterday

Do you have a "usable past"?

Do you have a "usable past"?

Boundaries

Avoid This Common Boundary-Setting Mistake

Michelle McQuaid Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in From Functioning to Flourishing

Explore the differences between setting boundaries, making requests, issuing demands, and complaining. These 6 steps can help your brain confidently set boundaries that stick.

Explore the differences between setting boundaries, making requests, issuing demands, and complaining. These 6 steps can help your brain confidently set boundaries that stick.

Autism

Learning From Disability: One Parent’s Version

Diane N Solomon Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in The Narrative Nurse Practitioner

A Personal Perspective: When my son was diagnosed, I didn't know if I could cope with autism, let alone be a good-enough parent. It wasn't easy, but here's what I've learned.

A Personal Perspective: When my son was diagnosed, I didn't know if I could cope with autism, let alone be a good-enough parent. It wasn't easy, but here's what I've learned.

Bias

Reducing Prejudice by "Reading a Book"

Todd Nelson, Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Us and Them

Recent research shows the efficacy of one on one interactions in reducing prejudice. Think of each of us as a "book." If we "read" (talk to) each other, prejudice diminishes.

Recent research shows the efficacy of one on one interactions in reducing prejudice. Think of each of us as a "book." If we "read" (talk to) each other, prejudice diminishes.

Relationships

Balanced Business Relationships: Power Dynamics Explained

Nigel R. Bairstow Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Disconnection Dynamics

French and Raven's 5 power dimensions can transform your business relationships. Learn to navigate and leverage these dynamics for healthier, more effective interactions.

French and Raven's 5 power dimensions can transform your business relationships. Learn to navigate and leverage these dynamics for healthier, more effective interactions.

Mating

The Single Best Advice for Singles to Meet Someone

Bruce Y. Lee M.D., M.B.A. on September 30, 2024 in A Funny Bone to Pick

If you are single, what's the best way to meet the right people to date and improve your chances of finding the right match? Well, let's have some fun with this question.

If you are single, what's the best way to meet the right people to date and improve your chances of finding the right match? Well, let's have some fun with this question.

Humor

Parent, Teenager, and the Value of Keeping a Sense of Humor

Carl E Pickhardt Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Surviving (Your Child's) Adolescence

As adolescent growth brings more attraction to worldly temptations, and the consequences of choices become more serious, keeping a sense of humor can help parents lighten up.

As adolescent growth brings more attraction to worldly temptations, and the consequences of choices become more serious, keeping a sense of humor can help parents lighten up.

Intuition

How Following Gut Instincts Might Help Prevent Being Scammed

Andrea Bonior Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Friendship 2.0

Becoming more attuned to our bodies may help older adults sniff out deception, which is especially important in the age of scammers.

Becoming more attuned to our bodies may help older adults sniff out deception, which is especially important in the age of scammers.

Relationships

After the Argument: How Can You Begin Again?

Cheryl Fraser Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Falling in Love Is Easy

All couples argue, but few of us know how to reconnect after the disconnect. Have you ever spent hours, even days, trapped in hurt and resentment? Here's how to fix that.

All couples argue, but few of us know how to reconnect after the disconnect. Have you ever spent hours, even days, trapped in hurt and resentment? Here's how to fix that.

Relationships

The 3-Step Approach to Building a Secure Relationship

Mark Travers Ph.D. on September 30, 2024 in Social Instincts

Want an insecurity-proof relationship? Here's how to develop one.

Want an insecurity-proof relationship? Here's how to develop one.

Personality

How to Avoid Arguing With High-Conflict People

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 30, 2024 in 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life

It's tempting to argue with the cognitive distortions and aggressive behavior of high-conflict people, but it is pointless. Instead, focus on positive self-talk and set limits.

It's tempting to argue with the cognitive distortions and aggressive behavior of high-conflict people, but it is pointless. Instead, focus on positive self-talk and set limits.

Burnout

Burnout: Are You Its Next Victim?

Sherrie Bourg Carter Psy.D. on September 30, 2024 in High Octane Women

Burnout can be a serious, life-changing condition, but it's preventable. Here are steps you can take to avoid becoming its next victim.

Burnout can be a serious, life-changing condition, but it's preventable. Here are steps you can take to avoid becoming its next victim.

Body Image

Is "Body Neutrality" Really Something to Strive For?

Renee Engeln Ph.D. on September 29, 2024 in Beauty Sick

Social media influencers have been promoting "body neutrality" as an alternative to body positivity, but researchers argue they're getting some key points about body image wrong.

Social media influencers have been promoting "body neutrality" as an alternative to body positivity, but researchers argue they're getting some key points about body image wrong.

Politics

Obama’s Psychology Translator

Tania Israel Ph.D. on September 29, 2024 in Ready to Be Strong

Barack Obama’s 2024 DNC address was chock-full of psychological concepts. Learn more about the theory and research behind his message.

Barack Obama’s 2024 DNC address was chock-full of psychological concepts. Learn more about the theory and research behind his message.

Depression

When You Love Someone Who Is Depressed: 4 Core Themes

Vinita Mehta Ph.D., Ed.M. on September 29, 2024 in Head Games

What do caregivers experience when a family member struggles with depression?

What do caregivers experience when a family member struggles with depression?

Diet

How Glowing Skin Could Reveal a Healthy Gut

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 29, 2024 in Modern Minds

Those who eat a stable diet of fruits, vegetables, and other carotenoid-rich foods may be perceived as healthy and attractive due to a yellowish glow of skin produced by the diet.

Those who eat a stable diet of fruits, vegetables, and other carotenoid-rich foods may be perceived as healthy and attractive due to a yellowish glow of skin produced by the diet.

Denial

The Danger of Denying Reality

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on September 29, 2024 in Your Internet Brain

When people don't accept simple facts, are they finding a clever way of expressing their beliefs?

When people don't accept simple facts, are they finding a clever way of expressing their beliefs?

Ethics and Morality

New Study Asks the Question: Should This Book Be Published?

Emily T. Troscianko on September 29, 2024 in A Hunger Artist

My prior research findings on the effects of reading narratives about eating disorders made it important to ask difficult questions about the one I’d just written.

My prior research findings on the effects of reading narratives about eating disorders made it important to ask difficult questions about the one I’d just written.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism: Recalibrating the Longing to Be Perfect

Dale M. Kushner on September 29, 2024 in Transcending the Past

Is perfectionism always problematic? Does it make a difference whether the drive for perfection is self-directed, other-oriented, or socially driven?

Is perfectionism always problematic? Does it make a difference whether the drive for perfection is self-directed, other-oriented, or socially driven?