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

Artificial Intelligence

Redefining Communication in the Digital Age

Jeffrey N Pickens Ph.D. on August 10, 2026 in Psychology Through Technology

Due to AI chatbots’ increasing ability to simulate human-like interactions, some people “fall in love” and develop emotional attachments to chatbots. Couples therapy, anyone?

Due to AI chatbots’ increasing ability to simulate human-like interactions, some people “fall in love” and develop emotional attachments to chatbots. Couples therapy, anyone?

Gut-Brain Axis

Why Art Moves Us: Body and Brain

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on August 10, 2026 in The Mind of a Collector

Art appreciation isn’t just a brain experience. Research shows that art can measurably change bodily responses, revealing how deeply art affects us.

Art appreciation isn’t just a brain experience. Research shows that art can measurably change bodily responses, revealing how deeply art affects us.

Identity

What’s It Take for Young Adults to Be Grown Up?

Loriann Oberlin MS, LCPC on August 10, 2026 in The Full Picture

As scores of young adults rely upon family for help and housing, hallmarks of adulthood and identity are forever altered. Two authors and research shed light on the trend.

As scores of young adults rely upon family for help and housing, hallmarks of adulthood and identity are forever altered. Two authors and research shed light on the trend.

Artificial Intelligence

New Rules for Back to School 2026: Now Comes the Hard Part

Diana E. Graber M.A. on August 10, 2026 in Raising Humans in a Digital World

The new school year brings new rules about devices and AI. But the real question isn’t about technology—it’s about what children actually need to thrive in an AI-infused world.

The new school year brings new rules about devices and AI. But the real question isn’t about technology—it’s about what children actually need to thrive in an AI-infused world.

Therapy

What Your Therapist May Not Even Know About Therapy

Sam Louie MA, LMHC, CSAT on August 10, 2026 in Minority Report

Therapy isn’t just about what happened in the past. Sometimes the most powerful healing happens in the room, in the relationship between therapist and client.

Therapy isn’t just about what happened in the past. Sometimes the most powerful healing happens in the room, in the relationship between therapist and client.

Depression

5 Surprising Studies on Character Strengths

Ryan M. Niemiec Psy.D. on August 10, 2026 in What Matters Most?

These 5 new, intriguing studies offer immediate, practical takeaways to improve your well-being.

These 5 new, intriguing studies offer immediate, practical takeaways to improve your well-being.

Eating Disorders

Finding Hope in the Face of a Child's Eating Disorder

Ankita Guchait MBPsS on August 10, 2026 in The Realities of Refugee Screening

A new book for families highlights common misconceptions about eating disorders and offers practical guidance for supporting recovery.

A new book for families highlights common misconceptions about eating disorders and offers practical guidance for supporting recovery.

Mating

SABSing Is a New College Dating Trend

Bruce Y. Lee M.D., M.B.A. on August 10, 2026 in A Funny Bone to Pick

SABSing may be a college dating trend right now. But you can apply the "see and be seen" approach practically anywhere and beyond dating as well, once you see what it really is.

SABSing may be a college dating trend right now. But you can apply the "see and be seen" approach practically anywhere and beyond dating as well, once you see what it really is.

Relationships

Beyond the "Good Match": Mental Health Stigma in South Asian Relationships

Jyothsna S Bhat Psy.D. on August 10, 2026 in The Psychology of the South Asian Diaspora

South Asians are known for laser-focus on matchmaking and even more on elaborate celebration of weddings. But what happens when mental health challenges enter the picture?

South Asians are known for laser-focus on matchmaking and even more on elaborate celebration of weddings. But what happens when mental health challenges enter the picture?

Hypnosis

Therapeutic Flexibility is Important in Clinical Hypnosis

Ran D. Anbar M.D. on August 10, 2026 in Understanding Hypnosis

Patients can express their feelings and develop coping skills while playing videogames within therapy.

Patients can express their feelings and develop coping skills while playing videogames within therapy.

Health

Where Is the MedFT in "Grey’s Anatomy" and "The Pitt"?

Afarin Rajaei Ph.D., LMFT on August 10, 2026 in When the World Feels Too Much

"Grey’s Anatomy" and "The Pitt" show the emotional side of medicine vividly. But who cares for the families, relationships, and providers behind the crisis?

"Grey’s Anatomy" and "The Pitt" show the emotional side of medicine vividly. But who cares for the families, relationships, and providers behind the crisis?

Artificial Intelligence

The Genius Who Saw the Answer First

John Nosta on August 10, 2026 in The Digital Self

AI can give you the answer, but it can't give you what the answer costs.

AI can give you the answer, but it can't give you what the answer costs.

Career

When Your Cofounder Is Also Your Spouse

Matthew Jones Psy.D. on August 10, 2026 in Scaling Connection

Married cofounders share a nervous system. Stress moves between two domains and two people at once, and the marriage starts running on whatever is left over from the business.

Married cofounders share a nervous system. Stress moves between two domains and two people at once, and the marriage starts running on whatever is left over from the business.

Career

The Rewards of Parallel Careers

Bruce Rosenstein on August 10, 2026 in The Peter Drucker Files

Peter Drucker believed we should engage in simultaneous work pursuits. Learn from examples in the creative industries and from lawyers, physicians, and other knowledge workers.

Peter Drucker believed we should engage in simultaneous work pursuits. Learn from examples in the creative industries and from lawyers, physicians, and other knowledge workers.

Sex

A Surprising Driver of Pro-Life Beliefs

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on August 10, 2026 in Attraction, Evolved

A new preprint study suggests that some pro-life attitudes may be motivated by a person’s own mating strategy.

A new preprint study suggests that some pro-life attitudes may be motivated by a person’s own mating strategy.

Spirituality

Beyond the Creator

John Tsilimparis MFT on August 10, 2026 in The Magic in the Tragic

If belief is survival, evolving it is maturity.

If belief is survival, evolving it is maturity.

Leadership

Leadership Recovery Requires More Than Leaving the Office

Jeff Frey, PhD on August 10, 2026 in Leading in the Real World

Leaders do not recover simply by leaving the office. Sustainable leadership requires protected spaces where the role cannot follow.

Leaders do not recover simply by leaving the office. Sustainable leadership requires protected spaces where the role cannot follow.

Relationships

When Did Your Relationship Become So Serious?

April Eldemire LMFT on August 10, 2026 in Couples Thrive

Long-term couples can become great co-managers but forget how to have fun. Small moments of silliness and spontaneity can restore lightness and connection.

Long-term couples can become great co-managers but forget how to have fun. Small moments of silliness and spontaneity can restore lightness and connection.

Microbiome

Now, We Should Be Doubly Concerned About Whom We Interact With

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on August 10, 2026 in The Behavioral Microbiome

New evidence suggests that social interactions change our gut microbes. These microbes influence our mood, desires, and choices.

New evidence suggests that social interactions change our gut microbes. These microbes influence our mood, desires, and choices.

Grief

Love and Grief: How the Body Remembers

Maggie Rowe on August 10, 2026 in Bodhisattva Wannabe

Personal Perspective: Why do our hands still reach for the dog who is no longer there? A Trinidadian word offers an answer.

Personal Perspective: Why do our hands still reach for the dog who is no longer there? A Trinidadian word offers an answer.

Relationships

Why Stay Together After an Affair?

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on August 10, 2026 in Magnetic Partners

Why stay after your partner's affair?

Why stay after your partner's affair?

Media

What 8 Weeks Without Social Media Taught Me

Susanna Newsonen on August 10, 2026 in The Path to Passionate Happiness

Personal Perspective: What surprised me most about from stepping away from the online world.

Personal Perspective: What surprised me most about from stepping away from the online world.

Social Media

In the Era of BookTok, I Went to Book Club

Grace Blair on August 10, 2026 in School of Thought

Reading has been trending on social media, thanks to online communities like BookTok, but what's missing?

Reading has been trending on social media, thanks to online communities like BookTok, but what's missing?

Sport and Competition

Will Sports Prepare Me for Life?

Sabrina B. Little, Ph.D. on August 10, 2026 in Considerations of Character

The problem of virtue translation has significant implications for whether sports are a tenable strategy for character development.

The problem of virtue translation has significant implications for whether sports are a tenable strategy for character development.

Psychopathy

The Dangerous Conscience of the Psychopath

Winifred Rule on August 10, 2026 in Surviving the Female Psychopath

Psychopaths understand the consequences of their actions, don’t care and conceal their lack of conscience

Psychopaths understand the consequences of their actions, don’t care and conceal their lack of conscience

Relationships

How to Stop Fixing a Relationship That's Not Working

Nancy Colier LCSW, Rev. on August 10, 2026 in Inviting a Monkey to Tea

Are you ready to stop "keeping the peace" when your partner creates war?

Are you ready to stop "keeping the peace" when your partner creates war?

Gratitude

The Combination Lock: How to See Your Life as a Miracle

Joel Wong Ph.D. on August 10, 2026 in Gratefully

Your life story is stranger, more fragile, and more beautiful than you realize. Here is how tracing the events behind your blessings can deepen your joy.

Your life story is stranger, more fragile, and more beautiful than you realize. Here is how tracing the events behind your blessings can deepen your joy.

Neurodiversity

The AuDHD Strength of Being Driven

Keith Storace on August 10, 2026 in We Are Story

Being driven is a powerful strength for people with co-occurring autism and ADHD that brings dedication to what is valued, creating possibilities for growth, contribution, and achievement.

Being driven is a powerful strength for people with co-occurring autism and ADHD that brings dedication to what is valued, creating possibilities for growth, contribution, and achievement.

Addiction

Addiction Reflections and Recovery Considerations

Ragnar Purje Ph.D. on August 10, 2026 in Recovery From Brain Injury

Before making any decision, ultimately and always, any discussion or consideration involving addiction and recovery must begin, continue, and conclude with medical advice.

Before making any decision, ultimately and always, any discussion or consideration involving addiction and recovery must begin, continue, and conclude with medical advice.