Domestic Intelligence

From surly teens to tough mothers-in-law, how to understand what's going on in your family.

Emotional Abuse
Why People Can’t Stop Blaming Victims of Abuse

Terri Apter Ph.D. on March 8, 2025

Learning how to moderate others' responses is crucial to survival, but in cases of abuse, this goal can lead us astray and strengthen the tendency to blame the victims.

Learning how to moderate others' responses is crucial to survival, but in cases of abuse, this goal can lead us astray and strengthen the tendency to blame the victims.

Gaslighting
Rescuing the Term "Gaslighting" From Overuse

Terri Apter Ph.D. on October 15, 2024

"Gaslighting" is a useful term that is often used loosely. An examination of gaslighting in different contexts can lead to a better understanding of this harmful behavior.

"Gaslighting" is a useful term that is often used loosely. An examination of gaslighting in different contexts can lead to a better understanding of this harmful behavior.

Therapy
Therapy Programs May Gaslight Domestic Abuse Victims

Terri Apter Ph.D. on May 2, 2024

Dealing with couples whose disputes continue after divorce presents enormous challenges to family and child therapists. New strategies show promise, but they gaslight abuse victims.

Dealing with couples whose disputes continue after divorce presents enormous challenges to family and child therapists. New strategies show promise, but they gaslight abuse victims.

Emotions
Could Men Be More in Touch With Their Feelings Than Women?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on February 19, 2024

It is often said that women are more in touch with their feelings than men. Have we got this wrong? We need to take a new look at how women marginalise their own feelings.

It is often said that women are more in touch with their feelings than men. Have we got this wrong? We need to take a new look at how women marginalise their own feelings.

Parental Alienation
Traumatic Attachment and Parental Alienation

Terri Apter Ph.D. on January 11, 2024

Abusers often defend themselves in custody battles with counter-accusations of parental alienation. There is a pathway to identifying the real abuser.

Abusers often defend themselves in custody battles with counter-accusations of parental alienation. There is a pathway to identifying the real abuser.

Domestic Violence
Domestic Abusers' Belief in Their Innocence

Terri Apter Ph.D. on July 21, 2023

Recent research on coercive control in committed relationships omits a central problem in calling the abuser to account: the abuser’s conviction of their own innocence.

Recent research on coercive control in committed relationships omits a central problem in calling the abuser to account: the abuser’s conviction of their own innocence.

Narcissism
Dangerous Defenses

Terri Apter Ph.D. on June 14, 2023

Are you enraged and destabilised by the slippery moves some people make to avoid accountability? It helps to identify and explore the steps in their responses.

Are you enraged and destabilised by the slippery moves some people make to avoid accountability? It helps to identify and explore the steps in their responses.

Mindfulness
Can Mindfulness Be Bad for Teens?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on August 22, 2022

There is a mental health crisis among teens, but mindfulness, the once hoped-for magic bullet, misses its target.

There is a mental health crisis among teens, but mindfulness, the once hoped-for magic bullet, misses its target.

Adolescence
Why Anorexia Is So Hard to Treat

Terri Apter Ph.D. on April 11, 2022

Anorexia in teens is very difficult to treat effectively—often because parents and clinicians don't understand how teens themselves view the disorder.

Anorexia in teens is very difficult to treat effectively—often because parents and clinicians don't understand how teens themselves view the disorder.

Adolescence
When Adolescents Go to War

Terri Apter Ph.D. on March 5, 2022

Research shows that teen soldiers are seven times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Research shows that teen soldiers are seven times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Adolescence
Blaming Social Media for Teen Depression Is Too Easy

Terri Apter Ph.D. on November 23, 2021

There was widespread public concern for teen girls’ self-dissatisfaction long before social media. Regulation needs to address a much larger context.

There was widespread public concern for teen girls’ self-dissatisfaction long before social media. Regulation needs to address a much larger context.

Back
Back
Find a Therapist
Back
Get Help
Back
Magazine
November 2025 magazine cover
November 2025
Healing Family Splits

Cut-offs cut deep and wide, their emotional impact reverberating far beyond the combatants. Because much of the suffering is hidden, repair is challenging for everyone, not least of all therapists.

Subscribe Issue Archive
Back
Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes