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

Online Therapy

Telehealth Is Getting Out of Control

David Rettew M.D. on December 9, 2024 in ABCs of Child Psychiatry

The COVID-prompted shift to virtual health visits has lingered in mental health, and we may be paying a price for it.

The COVID-prompted shift to virtual health visits has lingered in mental health, and we may be paying a price for it.

Relationships

The Best Emotional Response to Protect Romance

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in Why Bad Looks Good

When your partner needs to vent, you need to listen. Your relational quality depends on your response.

When your partner needs to vent, you need to listen. Your relational quality depends on your response.

Adolescence

Why Youth Culture Is Toxic for Teens and Young Adults

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in The Science of Self

Youth culture makes adults feel insecure about their aging appearance, but it has a far more devastating effect on young adults and their mental health.

Youth culture makes adults feel insecure about their aging appearance, but it has a far more devastating effect on young adults and their mental health.

Sex

Redefining Masculinity: A Path to Better Health

Sari Cooper, CST, LCSW on December 9, 2024 in Sex Esteem

Due to pressures on men to adhere to “masculine” ideals, their health suffers. It is crucial for therapists to open up conversations about health with men who are in psychotherapy.

Due to pressures on men to adhere to “masculine” ideals, their health suffers. It is crucial for therapists to open up conversations about health with men who are in psychotherapy.

Body Positivity

Compassion Helps Children Navigate Weight Changes

JoAnn Stevelos, MS, MPH on December 9, 2024 in Children at the Table

It’s not just about addressing weight gain—it’s about cultivating an environment of kindness, respect, and unconditional love.

It’s not just about addressing weight gain—it’s about cultivating an environment of kindness, respect, and unconditional love.

Bias

You’ve Been Conditioned to Dislike Women

Julie Radico Psy.D. ABPP on December 9, 2024 in You Are Enough

Biases, mental shortcuts, and cultural norms hinder the success of women. Questioning your snap judgements may help you notice your own biases.

Biases, mental shortcuts, and cultural norms hinder the success of women. Questioning your snap judgements may help you notice your own biases.

Gaslighting

Myths About Gaslighting Exposed

Antonieta Contreras on December 9, 2024 in Traumatization and Its Aftermath

Recognizing the complexities of gaslighting myths and their impact on personal relationships is the first step to stopping abuse.

Recognizing the complexities of gaslighting myths and their impact on personal relationships is the first step to stopping abuse.

Compulsive Behaviors

'Addicted' to the News Cycle?

Diane N Solomon Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in The Narrative Nurse Practitioner

Whether it’s news about the election aftermath, a favorite celebrity being canceled, or an approaching hurricane, you may need a break. Here’s how to take one and stay informed.

Whether it’s news about the election aftermath, a favorite celebrity being canceled, or an approaching hurricane, you may need a break. Here’s how to take one and stay informed.

Bias

Celebrating Each Other Instead of "Othering"

Christine Louise Hohlbaum on December 9, 2024 in The Power of Slow

The phenomenon of "othering" reflects an attitude that degrades people based on their background or orientation.

The phenomenon of "othering" reflects an attitude that degrades people based on their background or orientation.

Artificial Intelligence

The Pros and Cons of Using AI for Personal Branding

Melissa A. Wheeler Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in Ethically Speaking

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we build and express our personal identities and brand ourselves online. But there are potential psychological pitfalls.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we build and express our personal identities and brand ourselves online. But there are potential psychological pitfalls.

Parenting

Santa Claus: The Case for Not Telling

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on December 9, 2024 in Facing Life's Challenges

Parents often wonder how to handle the age-old question of whether Santa Claus is real or pretend. We present the benefits of maintaining the belief.

Parents often wonder how to handle the age-old question of whether Santa Claus is real or pretend. We present the benefits of maintaining the belief.

Workplace Dynamics

5 Reasons Why Employees Don't Report Bad Behavior

Kristin Meekhof on December 9, 2024 in A Widow's Guide to Healing

While speaking "truth to power" may sound courageous, the reality is that workplace complaints can be damaging. Here are 5 reasons why employees choose to suffer in silence.

While speaking "truth to power" may sound courageous, the reality is that workplace complaints can be damaging. Here are 5 reasons why employees choose to suffer in silence.

Mating

2 Ways to Practice Good 'Post-Date Hygiene'

Mark Travers Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in Social Instincts

Want your first date to turn into a second date? Then show them that you do.

Want your first date to turn into a second date? Then show them that you do.

Resilience

Mental Strength Is Key for Thriving Amid Life's Challenges

Tess M. Kilwein PhD, ABPP, CMPC on December 9, 2024 in In the Trenches

Developing mental strength is a near-daily journey that allows us to maintain overall well-being in the midst of life challenges and difficult emotions.

Developing mental strength is a near-daily journey that allows us to maintain overall well-being in the midst of life challenges and difficult emotions.

Relationships

Emotional Intimacy: A Sacred Predicament

Paul J Dunion Ed.D. on December 9, 2024 in The Secular Mystic Path

We seem to be born with the capacity to love. However, emotional intimacy needs to be learned. We learn to honor our uniqueness and support the uniqueness of another.

We seem to be born with the capacity to love. However, emotional intimacy needs to be learned. We learn to honor our uniqueness and support the uniqueness of another.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Similarities and Differences Between IFS and CBT

Martha Sweezy Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in Internal Family Systems Therapy for Shame and Guilt

How CBT and IFS are compatible and where they differ.

How CBT and IFS are compatible and where they differ.

Social Life

The Problem With Parties

Tara Ceranic Salinas, Ph.D., and Ed Love Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in The Problem With...

Whether you’re the life of the party or plotting your escape, these research-backed tips can help you survive the festive chaos.

Whether you’re the life of the party or plotting your escape, these research-backed tips can help you survive the festive chaos.

Trauma

Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture

Finn Janning Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in Philosophies in Psychology

Gabor Maté’s "The Myth of Normal" unravels how trauma shapes our lives and offers a transformative path to authenticity, healing, and self-compassion.

Gabor Maté’s "The Myth of Normal" unravels how trauma shapes our lives and offers a transformative path to authenticity, healing, and self-compassion.

Trauma

Can Playing Tetris Make Trauma Easier to Manage?

Andrew Fishman LCSW on December 9, 2024 in Video Game Health

Research suggests that playing a video game could actually help reduce some symptoms of trauma.

Research suggests that playing a video game could actually help reduce some symptoms of trauma.

Infidelity

Why Partners Cheat: The Emotional Void Behind Betrayal

Jeffrey Bernstein Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in Liking the Child You Love

Many people assume cheating is about physical attraction or impulsive desire. Yet the top reason partners cheat is often more profound: a yearning for emotional connection.

Many people assume cheating is about physical attraction or impulsive desire. Yet the top reason partners cheat is often more profound: a yearning for emotional connection.

Motivation

11 Key Tips for Getting and Staying Motivated

Michelle P. Maidenberg Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP on December 9, 2024 in Being Your Best Self

Want to know how to get and stay motivated? These 11 tips can help you move toward the life you want and strive for.

Want to know how to get and stay motivated? These 11 tips can help you move toward the life you want and strive for.

Anger

Is Society a Prison That Makes Guards and Inmates of Us All?

Travis Langley Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in Beyond Heroes and Villains

A Russian scientist's observations on the Stanford prison experiment still resonate today.

A Russian scientist's observations on the Stanford prison experiment still resonate today.

Happiness

Remembering Prof. Ruut Veenhoven (1942-2024)

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on December 9, 2024 in HappyBytes

Ruut Veenhoven (1942-2024) made the study of happiness a measurable science. His groundbreaking research has had a lasting impact on our well-being.

Ruut Veenhoven (1942-2024) made the study of happiness a measurable science. His groundbreaking research has had a lasting impact on our well-being.

Friends

Finding Meaning Every Day

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on December 9, 2024 in Journey to Healing

A Personal Perspective: My days consist of finding meaning. The day ahead of me is one in which I seek joy through feeding my soul.

A Personal Perspective: My days consist of finding meaning. The day ahead of me is one in which I seek joy through feeding my soul.

Adolescence

How to Help Teens Manage Intense Feelings and Mood Swings

Julie Baron LCSW-C on December 9, 2024 in Parenting Teens Through Connection

With so much changing for adolescents, it can be hard to tell what intense feelings and mood swings are expected and when they may need professional care.

With so much changing for adolescents, it can be hard to tell what intense feelings and mood swings are expected and when they may need professional care.

Education

Did the Keyboard Kill Cursive?

John Nosta on December 8, 2024 in The Digital Self

Cursive builds focus and memory, but typing and LLMs are the real game-changers, turning thoughts into creative powerhouses.

Cursive builds focus and memory, but typing and LLMs are the real game-changers, turning thoughts into creative powerhouses.

Sex

Technology Is Fast Becoming Better at Seeming Human

Marianne Brandon Ph.D. on December 8, 2024 in The Future of Intimacy

As we increasingly embrace and idealize convenience, ease, and precision, will our humanity become our liability rather than our strength?

As we increasingly embrace and idealize convenience, ease, and precision, will our humanity become our liability rather than our strength?

Trauma

Personality vs. Trauma Coping: A Misunderstood Distinction

Jason N. Linder, PsyD on December 8, 2024 in Relationship and Trauma Insights

The misunderstood difference between someone’s personality and their trauma coping.

The misunderstood difference between someone’s personality and their trauma coping.

Relationships

Love Relationships Take Emotional Muscle

Joel Block Ph.D. on December 8, 2024 in Love Matters

Giving your heart takes more than love. It also takes emotional courage.

Giving your heart takes more than love. It also takes emotional courage.