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

Dissociation

Unmasking Ritual Abuse, DID, and the Threat of Suicide

Adrian A. Fletcher Psy.D., M.A. on September 27, 2023 in Keeping It Real and Resilient

Ritual abuse is seldom discussed and Dissociative Identity Disorder is highly stigmatized. This post builds awareness and understanding of both.

Ritual abuse is seldom discussed and Dissociative Identity Disorder is highly stigmatized. This post builds awareness and understanding of both.

Ethics and Morality

The Psychology of (In)Equality and Fairness

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in Cui Bono

Does everyone deserve to have about the same amount of wealth, or do some people deserve more wealth? This article explores why feelings about this issue differ.

Does everyone deserve to have about the same amount of wealth, or do some people deserve more wealth? This article explores why feelings about this issue differ.

Relationships

5 Regrets After a Breakup

Cortney S. Warren PhD, ABPP on September 27, 2023 in Naked Truth

Thinking of breaking up with your romantic partner? Here are five common breakup regrets to avoid before you do!

Thinking of breaking up with your romantic partner? Here are five common breakup regrets to avoid before you do!

Spirituality

A Safe and Effective Church-Based Lay Counseling Ministry

Ruth E. Stitt M.S., M.Div., LPCS on September 27, 2023 in Walking in Wisdom

Many people of faith turn to the church in a time of crisis. A psychiatrist in Texas demonstrates that well-trained lay counselors can help meet the need for safe, affordable care.

Many people of faith turn to the church in a time of crisis. A psychiatrist in Texas demonstrates that well-trained lay counselors can help meet the need for safe, affordable care.

Social Life

Hello, Stranger: Overcoming the Fear of New Conversations

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in Modern Minds

Research shows that too many people kill conversations before they even begin, simply because starting one is scary. Here are 5 steps to having good conversations with strangers.

Research shows that too many people kill conversations before they even begin, simply because starting one is scary. Here are 5 steps to having good conversations with strangers.

Education

What the End of Affirmative Action Means for BIPOC Communities

Atlanta Behavioral Health Advocates on September 27, 2023 in Outside the Box

The recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action could lead to poorer health, greater financial insecurity, and the continued oppression of disadvantaged communities.

The recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action could lead to poorer health, greater financial insecurity, and the continued oppression of disadvantaged communities.

Hypochondria

What Parents Should Know About Illness Anxiety Disorder

Dianne Grande Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in In It Together

Illness anxiety disorder (previously called hypochondriasis) occurs in both children and adults. Parents can take steps to minimize the risk of this lifetime anxiety.

Illness anxiety disorder (previously called hypochondriasis) occurs in both children and adults. Parents can take steps to minimize the risk of this lifetime anxiety.

Law and Crime

Could New Evidence Help Free the Menendez Brothers?

Michelle Charness JD, PsyD, LCSW on September 27, 2023 in Intersecting Law and Mental Health

New evidence of sexual abuse by their father and the resulting PTSD could lead to the reopening of the Menendez brothers' case.

New evidence of sexual abuse by their father and the resulting PTSD could lead to the reopening of the Menendez brothers' case.

Depression

Social Media Activities Can Reveal Depression

Anthony D. Smith LMHC on September 27, 2023 in Up and Running

Depression isn't always obvious. However, postings on social networking sites can offer unique clues to a person's suffering.

Depression isn't always obvious. However, postings on social networking sites can offer unique clues to a person's suffering.

Mass Shootings

How to Help Kids Manage Anticipation of School Shootings

Jon Patrick Hatcher M.A. on September 27, 2023 in State of Anxiety

In the old days, active shooter drills would’ve been a thing of a dystopian future. And here we are, all dystopian. But that doesn't mean kids are helpless.

In the old days, active shooter drills would’ve been a thing of a dystopian future. And here we are, all dystopian. But that doesn't mean kids are helpless.

Trauma

What Do Legal Needs Have to Do with Coping with Trauma?

Anne P. DePrince Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in From Awareness to Action

Healing from interpersonal trauma is about more than psychology. It's also about legal issues.

Healing from interpersonal trauma is about more than psychology. It's also about legal issues.

Psychiatry

Coping with a Parent Who Has Mental Illness

CooperRiis Healing Community on September 27, 2023 in A Healing Community

When a parent has a mental illness, it can be difficult to know what to do. Here we discuss ways to cope, manage expectations, protect boundaries, and support recovery.

When a parent has a mental illness, it can be difficult to know what to do. Here we discuss ways to cope, manage expectations, protect boundaries, and support recovery.

Mindfulness

How Mindfulness Builds Belonging

Kim Samuel on September 27, 2023 in The Power of Belonging

It’s good news that mindfulness is now mainstream. But there’s a risk in seeing it as an individual mental health intervention. Mindfulness is much more than that.

It’s good news that mindfulness is now mainstream. But there’s a risk in seeing it as an individual mental health intervention. Mindfulness is much more than that.

Moral Injury

Healing Moral Injury in the Age of COVID-19

Hospital, Health, and Addiction Workers Group on September 27, 2023 in Psychological Trauma, Coping, and Resilience

Viewing moral injury as a reflection of one’s values and conscience can mitigate some of its harmful psychological impacts.

Viewing moral injury as a reflection of one’s values and conscience can mitigate some of its harmful psychological impacts.

Relationships

4 Signs the Secret You’re Keeping Is Too Much of a Burden

Jourdan Travers LCSW on September 27, 2023 in Hard, Cold Research

Secret-keeping not only makes you anxious, but it makes you lonelier.

Secret-keeping not only makes you anxious, but it makes you lonelier.

Philosophy

Remember, Thou Art Dust

Matthew Clemente, Ph.D. and David Goodman, Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in Our Human Condition

Every therapist will see a client wrestling with questions of death. Philosophy can help us to be more present to the suffering of others by reminding us of our own mortality.

Every therapist will see a client wrestling with questions of death. Philosophy can help us to be more present to the suffering of others by reminding us of our own mortality.

Boundaries

The Hidden Problem of Boundaries and Adult Children

Sarah Epstein LMFT on September 27, 2023 in Between the Generations

Boundaryless parents of adult children create hidden issues in their families. They may feel generous, but their children feel frustrated. Here's why.

Boundaryless parents of adult children create hidden issues in their families. They may feel generous, but their children feel frustrated. Here's why.

Divorce

An Honest Look at the Pros and Cons of Divorce

Ann Gold Buscho Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in A Better Divorce

Divorce is a complex and emotional process that can have both positive and negative consequences. Here's how to minimize the negative outcomes.

Divorce is a complex and emotional process that can have both positive and negative consequences. Here's how to minimize the negative outcomes.

Psychiatry

The Outsourcing of Mental Healthcare to the Public Sector

David Rettew M.D. on September 27, 2023 in ABCs of Child Psychiatry

More and more, private healthcare companies are unloading mental health care to the public sector for taxpayers to foot the bill. We shouldn’t be responsible to balance their budgets. Here’s how.

More and more, private healthcare companies are unloading mental health care to the public sector for taxpayers to foot the bill. We shouldn’t be responsible to balance their budgets. Here’s how.

Bias

How to Engage an Entrenched Believer

The Open Minds Foundation on September 27, 2023 in The Art of Critical Thinking

When faced with an entrenched believer, what is the best way to tackle their bias? Fact sharing can further entrench beliefs, while technique rebuttal proves more effective.

When faced with an entrenched believer, what is the best way to tackle their bias? Fact sharing can further entrench beliefs, while technique rebuttal proves more effective.

Diet

Ozempic for Your Kids?

Alli Spotts-De Lazzer, MA, LMFT, LPCC, CEDS-S on September 27, 2023 in MeaningFULL

11 questions to ask before your child starts weight-loss drugs.

11 questions to ask before your child starts weight-loss drugs.

Relationships

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted

Krystine I. Batcho Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in Longing for Nostalgia

After a breakup, some people get rid of everything that reminds them of the relationship. Others hope to rekindle the romance. Is it more helpful to hold on or to let go?

After a breakup, some people get rid of everything that reminds them of the relationship. Others hope to rekindle the romance. Is it more helpful to hold on or to let go?

Ghosting

The Zombieing Dating Trend That Can Follow Ghosting

Bruce Y. Lee M.D., M.B.A. on September 27, 2023 in A Funny Bone to Pick

The "zombie" dating trend is not about dating actual brain-eating zombies. But getting zombied is something that can eat at your brain and heart if you are not careful.

The "zombie" dating trend is not about dating actual brain-eating zombies. But getting zombied is something that can eat at your brain and heart if you are not careful.

Relationships

How to Turn Off Relationship Autopilot

Phil Stark, AMFT on September 27, 2023 in Dude, Where’s My Car-tharsis?

How to identify and change negative patterns in relationships.

How to identify and change negative patterns in relationships.

Personality Change

What Makes You Feel "You"

Patrick De Vleeschauwer Drs. on September 27, 2023 in Fulfilling Our Highest Possibility

Is the growing you broken by a thousand cultural voices about what is allowed and what is not? How we feel depends on the quality of many other minds.

Is the growing you broken by a thousand cultural voices about what is allowed and what is not? How we feel depends on the quality of many other minds.

Cognition

The Art of Thought Suppression

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on September 27, 2023 in Confessions of a Psychological First Responder

A recent study at the University of Cambridge has thrown a psychological monkey wrench into one of the basic concepts of psychotherapeutic interventions.

A recent study at the University of Cambridge has thrown a psychological monkey wrench into one of the basic concepts of psychotherapeutic interventions.

Neurodiversity

What Is Structural Neuroableism at Work?

Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in Positively Different

Neurodistinct professionals work hard but often can’t get ahead. It is as if an invisible force were holding them back and pushing them out: structural neuroableism.

Neurodistinct professionals work hard but often can’t get ahead. It is as if an invisible force were holding them back and pushing them out: structural neuroableism.

Leadership

How to Accelerate Gender Equity in Leadership

Mira Brancu, Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in A New Look at Women's Leadership

A gender equity expert shares what makes a difference in driving and sustaining change for women in leadership through proactive measurement and intervention.

A gender equity expert shares what makes a difference in driving and sustaining change for women in leadership through proactive measurement and intervention.

Autism

Could My Therapy Client Be Autistic?

Claire Jack Ph.D. on September 27, 2023 in Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Therapists who notice signs of autism in their clients can help them seek a diagnosis and find appropriate support, but it's important to proceed with caution.

Therapists who notice signs of autism in their clients can help them seek a diagnosis and find appropriate support, but it's important to proceed with caution.