When Disaster Strikes: Inside Disaster Psychology

Self-Control

“Laws” of Personal Power

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on May 2, 2024

Many of the most successful people are driven by the quest for power. The "laws" of personal power may help us create and harness personal power we didn’t even know we had.

Many of the most successful people are driven by the quest for power. The "laws" of personal power may help us create and harness personal power we didn’t even know we had.

Resilience

Three Faces of Resilience: Harness Your Full Potential

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on April 10, 2024

The word resilience holds unique power for those who can recognize its full potential.

The word resilience holds unique power for those who can recognize its full potential.

Disaster Psychology

The Dangers of the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Persist

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on March 31, 2024

Disasters like the recent bridge collapse in Baltimore are tragic. They are also potentially traumatizing, not only to those involved but to those who observe from a distance.

Disasters like the recent bridge collapse in Baltimore are tragic. They are also potentially traumatizing, not only to those involved but to those who observe from a distance.

Disaster Psychology

What Happened When Elmo Asked, “How is Everybody Doing?”

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on February 12, 2024

Elmo, the furry red Muppet from Sesame Street, recently asked a question that shone a light on the widespread psychological distress gripping the country. Here's how you can help.

Elmo, the furry red Muppet from Sesame Street, recently asked a question that shone a light on the widespread psychological distress gripping the country. Here's how you can help.

Self-Help

Self-Improvement Can Be Made Easier Through Self-Cultivation

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on January 12, 2024

New Year's resolutions are difficult to achieve. Any kind of change can be difficult. It turns out that in order to create new hablits and a new you, it requires removing barriers.

New Year's resolutions are difficult to achieve. Any kind of change can be difficult. It turns out that in order to create new hablits and a new you, it requires removing barriers.

Resilience

Expanding Psychological Support With Peer Paracounseling

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on November 7, 2023

Traditional approaches to providing psychological support and mental healthcare have failed to reach those most in need. Peer paracounseling may be the answer.

Traditional approaches to providing psychological support and mental healthcare have failed to reach those most in need. Peer paracounseling may be the answer.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

War in Gaza Creates a Tsunami of Psychological Casualties

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on October 18, 2023

Nobody can win a war, but the civilians on both sides always lose. Community-based psychological first aid (PFA) may help survivors heal.

Nobody can win a war, but the civilians on both sides always lose. Community-based psychological first aid (PFA) may help survivors heal.

Resilience

How to Develop True Grit

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on October 13, 2023

The most critical lessons from the best-selling book and movie, "True Grit," will be found in the gritty lives of the two leading characters.

The most critical lessons from the best-selling book and movie, "True Grit," will be found in the gritty lives of the two leading characters.

Law and Crime

Community Policing as Protection, Not Just Enforcement

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on July 7, 2023

As the U.S. struggles with rising crime and civil unrest, there are cries to reimagine the practice of community policing. An innovative program may have found a way.

As the U.S. struggles with rising crime and civil unrest, there are cries to reimagine the practice of community policing. An innovative program may have found a way.

Resilience

How to Harness the Power of Information

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on June 17, 2023

Information improves decisions. Information is the ultimate source of all power. Here's how to use information to help yourself and those you care about.

Information improves decisions. Information is the ultimate source of all power. Here's how to use information to help yourself and those you care about.

Stress

The Four Attitudes of Calm

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on June 2, 2023

The raging fires of excessive stress contribute to unhappiness, depression, and premature aging. Adopting the "four attitudes of equanimity" may extinguish the flames of distress.

The raging fires of excessive stress contribute to unhappiness, depression, and premature aging. Adopting the "four attitudes of equanimity" may extinguish the flames of distress.

Stress

An Easy Way to Simplify Your Life

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on May 15, 2023

Looking for a way to improve your life? Activities such as taking daily medications, playing golf, driving a car, and paying monthly bills can all be improved by using checklists.

Looking for a way to improve your life? Activities such as taking daily medications, playing golf, driving a car, and paying monthly bills can all be improved by using checklists.

Cognition

Are You a Victim or a Survivor?

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on April 21, 2023

Hiding in full sight has been the transformative power of words. By harnessing the prophetic power of words victims become survivors and almost any future becomes possible.

Hiding in full sight has been the transformative power of words. By harnessing the prophetic power of words victims become survivors and almost any future becomes possible.

Resilience

In Times of Distress, It’s Really OK to Ask for Help

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on April 12, 2023

Failure to seek help in times of distress can destroy careers and families. The first step to changing behavior is dispelling counterproductive myths.

Failure to seek help in times of distress can destroy careers and families. The first step to changing behavior is dispelling counterproductive myths.

Friends

Enduring Friendships: Why Are They So Hard for Males?

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on March 27, 2023

Friendships are more superficial than ever before, but these five conditions will help them deepen and endure.

Friendships are more superficial than ever before, but these five conditions will help them deepen and endure.

Optimism

Your New Superpower: Harnessing Empowering Assumptions

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on March 9, 2023

You can learn to be more optimistic, to have greater self-esteem, and to be happier. It may be as simple as learning how to harness empowering assumptions.

You can learn to be more optimistic, to have greater self-esteem, and to be happier. It may be as simple as learning how to harness empowering assumptions.

Relationships

Do You Possess This Trait That Predicts Relationship Success?

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on January 19, 2023

Reliability is the glue that helps create and sustain personal and professional relationships. Here are tips on enhancing your reliability.

Reliability is the glue that helps create and sustain personal and professional relationships. Here are tips on enhancing your reliability.

Guilt

Eliminating Guilt, Shame, Regret, and Worry

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on January 13, 2023

We all make mistakes, but the resulting guilt and regret can rob us of happiness. A simple formula could help you move on from mistakes and regret.

We all make mistakes, but the resulting guilt and regret can rob us of happiness. A simple formula could help you move on from mistakes and regret.

Fear

How to Live Life to the Fullest

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on January 4, 2023

Use the angst of uncertainty to fuel an adventure into the unknown.

Use the angst of uncertainty to fuel an adventure into the unknown.

Bias

How to Avoid Disappointment

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on December 1, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Holidays and other reunions can be stressful and even disappointing. Here are seven ways to avoid nostalgic disappointment and put the joy back into joyous occasions.

A Personal Perspective: Holidays and other reunions can be stressful and even disappointing. Here are seven ways to avoid nostalgic disappointment and put the joy back into joyous occasions.