The Refugee Experience

Stress

Why Parents' Mental Health Matters So Much to Their Children

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on December 4, 2023

In these hectic times, it’s easy for parents to get so busy that they forget to take care of their own emotional well-being. That can be a big problem for children.

In these hectic times, it’s easy for parents to get so busy that they forget to take care of their own emotional well-being. That can be a big problem for children.

Trauma

War, Toxic Stress, and the Mental Health of Children

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on November 23, 2023

The concept of "toxic stress" can help us understand the powerful toll that war takes on the physical and mental health of children.

The concept of "toxic stress" can help us understand the powerful toll that war takes on the physical and mental health of children.

Trauma

Childhood Destroyed: Children in the Israel-Hamas War

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

Children on both sides of the war have paid a terrible price. But their experience differs.

Children on both sides of the war have paid a terrible price. But their experience differs.

Trauma

5 Lessons for Supporting the Mental Health of Refugees

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on October 10, 2023

Want to support the mental health of refugees? Here are five essential lessons we've learned from 25 years of research and practice.

Want to support the mental health of refugees? Here are five essential lessons we've learned from 25 years of research and practice.

Therapy

5 Things That Make a Therapist Effective

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 13, 2023

Being a psychotherapist or counselor can be extremely rewarding. Research can help you decide if this is a good career for you and what to look for in a graduate program.

Being a psychotherapist or counselor can be extremely rewarding. Research can help you decide if this is a good career for you and what to look for in a graduate program.

Gratitude

What a 30 Foot Climbing Fall Taught Me About Gratitude

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 23, 2022

A 30 foot climbing fall taught me what researchers have discovered about gratitude: it can be a powerful antidote to despair, and can foster a greater sense of wellbeing.

A 30 foot climbing fall taught me what researchers have discovered about gratitude: it can be a powerful antidote to despair, and can foster a greater sense of wellbeing.

Mindfulness

Can Mindfulness Improve the Mental Health of Refugees?

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 8, 2022

Research shows that simple mindfulness practices can improve mental health and strengthen parenting among refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Research shows that simple mindfulness practices can improve mental health and strengthen parenting among refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Anxiety

A Simple Way to Become Less Anxious and More Self-Accepting

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on July 3, 2022

This simple technique for bringing gentle awareness to our inner experience can help us transform avoidance and distraction into greater ease, self-acceptance, and aliveness.

This simple technique for bringing gentle awareness to our inner experience can help us transform avoidance and distraction into greater ease, self-acceptance, and aliveness.

Health

How Can We Support the Wellbeing of Ukrainian Refugees?

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on April 5, 2022

Lessons from other refugee crises can strengthen our response to the mental health and psychosocial needs of Ukrainians.

Lessons from other refugee crises can strengthen our response to the mental health and psychosocial needs of Ukrainians.

Health

Want to Improve Mental Health? Reducing Poverty is Key

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on December 6, 2021

Poverty is a major cause of psychological suffering around the world. To improve mental health in a powerful way, we need to reduce poverty, not just treat its effects.

Poverty is a major cause of psychological suffering around the world. To improve mental health in a powerful way, we need to reduce poverty, not just treat its effects.

Career

Can Taking a Break Lead to "Aha!" Moments?

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on March 28, 2021

Are you trying to solve a problem and just getting frustrated? Taking a break, what researchers call an "incubation" period, allows powerful insights to arise without effort.

Are you trying to solve a problem and just getting frustrated? Taking a break, what researchers call an "incubation" period, allows powerful insights to arise without effort.

Depression

The Subtle Art of Blaming the Victim

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on March 22, 2021

Psychological interventions often explain suffering as due to internal factors, while overlooking social conditions that cause distress. How can we change this harmful practice?

Psychological interventions often explain suffering as due to internal factors, while overlooking social conditions that cause distress. How can we change this harmful practice?

Relationships

3 Evidence-Based Lessons for Living a Good Life

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on March 17, 2021

Strong relationships, earned secure attachment, and a good person-setting fit are cornerstones of a good life, even if you had a rough start.

Strong relationships, earned secure attachment, and a good person-setting fit are cornerstones of a good life, even if you had a rough start.

Mindfulness

5 Ways to Get More Out of Your Mindfulness Practice

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on February 1, 2021

Mindfulness can lower stress, increase focus, and improve our wellbeing. It takes practice, though. Here are five strategies for getting the most out of your mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness can lower stress, increase focus, and improve our wellbeing. It takes practice, though. Here are five strategies for getting the most out of your mindfulness practice.

Therapy

Are Evidence-based Therapies Really More Effective?

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on January 28, 2021

Evidence-based therapies are getting very popular. But what does "evidence-based" really mean? A closer look at what we do and don't know about effective psychotherapy.

Evidence-based therapies are getting very popular. But what does "evidence-based" really mean? A closer look at what we do and don't know about effective psychotherapy.

Trauma

A Strange Cure: EMDR and the Healing of Trauma

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on July 6, 2020

We still don't know why EMDR is so helpful, but its capacity to heal trauma is well-established.

We still don't know why EMDR is so helpful, but its capacity to heal trauma is well-established.

Gratitude

Finding Gratitude Even in Dark Times

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on April 25, 2020

Lockdowns to stop the COVID-19 pandemic have caused loss and pain. They have also led to unexpected discoveries: deeper connections to loved ones and to ourselves.

Lockdowns to stop the COVID-19 pandemic have caused loss and pain. They have also led to unexpected discoveries: deeper connections to loved ones and to ourselves.

Health

All The Pain We Cannot See: Part III

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on April 4, 2020

Social distancing and lockdowns are key to stopping the spread of COVID-19. But we must mitigate the harms they may cause to mental and physical health.

Social distancing and lockdowns are key to stopping the spread of COVID-19. But we must mitigate the harms they may cause to mental and physical health.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

What Is the Human Cost of Stopping COVID-19?

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on April 3, 2020

Part II: Social distancing is a vital tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19. But we need to mitigate the harm it may cause to mental and physical health.

Part II: Social distancing is a vital tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19. But we need to mitigate the harm it may cause to mental and physical health.

Health

All the Pain We Cannot See

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on April 2, 2020

From isolation and stress to family violence and a loss of rituals, we need to recognize and mitigate the effects of social distancing and lockdowns.

From isolation and stress to family violence and a loss of rituals, we need to recognize and mitigate the effects of social distancing and lockdowns.