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

Artificial Intelligence

Making AI Safe for Mental Health Use

Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA on June 21, 2025 in ExperiMentations

LLMs have taken the world by storm. Users are flocking to chat AI for advice, psychotherapy, and coaching in what amounts to a massive uncontrolled experiment.

LLMs have taken the world by storm. Users are flocking to chat AI for advice, psychotherapy, and coaching in what amounts to a massive uncontrolled experiment.

Deception

A Sneaky New Way to Spot a Chronic Liar

Susan Krauss Whitbourne PhD, ABPP on June 21, 2025 in Fulfillment at Any Age

Although many people lie some of the time, some people lie almost all the time. New research suggests a sneaky way to protect yourself from the latter.

Although many people lie some of the time, some people lie almost all the time. New research suggests a sneaky way to protect yourself from the latter.

Narcissism

The Healthy Version of Overthinking

Leon Garber LMHC on June 21, 2025 in Perfectionism

Carl Jung defined narcissism as a preoccupation with how others see you, yet caring more, not less, about what they think can help.

Carl Jung defined narcissism as a preoccupation with how others see you, yet caring more, not less, about what they think can help.

Relationships

3 Ways to See How You and Your Partner Complement Each Other

Alice Boyes Ph.D. on June 21, 2025 in In Practice

The ways we differ from the people we know best can help us understand ourselves better and appreciate our nature, strategies, and strengths.

The ways we differ from the people we know best can help us understand ourselves better and appreciate our nature, strategies, and strengths.

Perfectionism

How Your Perfectionism Hurts Your Loved Ones

Dimitrios Tsatiris M.D. on June 21, 2025 in Anxiety in High-Achievers

Your perfectionism not only hurts you but also takes a toll on your loved ones. Here are five tips to help you tame your perfectionism.

Your perfectionism not only hurts you but also takes a toll on your loved ones. Here are five tips to help you tame your perfectionism.

Humor

How Good Is Your Sense of Humor?

David Evans on June 21, 2025 in Can’t We All Just Get Along?

A good sense of humor brings an array of benefits.

A good sense of humor brings an array of benefits.

Artificial Intelligence

AI's Cognitive March Toward Thought

John Nosta on June 21, 2025 in The Digital Self

AI isn't thinking yet, but with continuous thought, it's learning how to look more like it does.

AI isn't thinking yet, but with continuous thought, it's learning how to look more like it does.

Therapy

The Flexible Brain: Plasticity, Therapy, and Potential

Ragnar Purje Ph.D. on June 21, 2025 in Recovery From Brain Injury

A key feature that appears to facilitate neuroplasticity is the distinct nature of neurons compared to other cells.

A key feature that appears to facilitate neuroplasticity is the distinct nature of neurons compared to other cells.

PANDAS

Viewing Demand Avoidance Through a Neuroimmune Lens

Odelya Gertel Kraybill Ph.D. on June 21, 2025 in Expressive Trauma Integration

Understanding the neurological root causes of demand avoidance in children can transform chaos into connection and offer real hope to overwhelmed families.

Understanding the neurological root causes of demand avoidance in children can transform chaos into connection and offer real hope to overwhelmed families.

Sex

Do You Prefer a Sexy or Intelligent Partner?

Aaron Ben-Zeév Ph.D. on June 21, 2025 in In the Name of Love

The ideal partner may not be the sexiest or the smartest, but rather the one who blends those traits in a way that resonates with your unique values, desires, and long-term goals.

The ideal partner may not be the sexiest or the smartest, but rather the one who blends those traits in a way that resonates with your unique values, desires, and long-term goals.

Politics

US Immigration Conflicts: Considering Law and Psychology

Ravi Chandra M.D., D.F.A.P.A. on June 21, 2025 in The Pacific Heart

Professor Bill Ong Hing, a towering figure in the field of immigration law, shares his views on the legal and psychological challenges facing migrants.

Professor Bill Ong Hing, a towering figure in the field of immigration law, shares his views on the legal and psychological challenges facing migrants.

Evolutionary Psychology

Reality Is Overrated

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on June 21, 2025 in Common Sense Science

Our brains are designed to misjudge reality. Evolution favors survival over truth, leading to predictable errors in perception, memory, and social understanding.

Our brains are designed to misjudge reality. Evolution favors survival over truth, leading to predictable errors in perception, memory, and social understanding.

Consciousness

Consciousness: The Mystery Inside Our Brain

Mitchell B. Liester M.D. on June 21, 2025 in The Leading Edge

Could consciousness emerge from quantum processes in tiny tubes inside brain cells? Research suggests these microscopic structures might hold the key to awareness itself.

Could consciousness emerge from quantum processes in tiny tubes inside brain cells? Research suggests these microscopic structures might hold the key to awareness itself.

Animal Behavior

Keeping Cecil the "Poster Lion" Alive to End Trophy Hunting

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on June 21, 2025 in Animal Emotions

The death of an iconic lion set off global protests to ban killing for fun. An expert explores the mindset of trophy hunters, the effects on conservation, and more.

The death of an iconic lion set off global protests to ban killing for fun. An expert explores the mindset of trophy hunters, the effects on conservation, and more.

Workplace Dynamics

Is Calling People “Toxic,” Toxic?

Stephen Friedman MA Psych on June 21, 2025 in Leadership Learning and Growth

The toxic label is overused. Deeming things like bad communication, hurt feelings, and petty disputes as toxic is unrealistic, unfair, and unhelpful.

The toxic label is overused. Deeming things like bad communication, hurt feelings, and petty disputes as toxic is unrealistic, unfair, and unhelpful.

Creativity

When the Art Stops: What to Do With a Creative Block

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on June 21, 2025 in The Naked Creative

When art stalls, try this: Draw without meaning, journal without fear, and ask “why” until something clicks.

When art stalls, try this: Draw without meaning, journal without fear, and ask “why” until something clicks.

Grief

It's Getting Griefy 

Stephanie Sarazin M.P.P. on June 20, 2025 in Soulbroken

Bolstered by emerging platforms and ongoing public promotion influenced by millennials, grief has finally made it out of the group chat.

Bolstered by emerging platforms and ongoing public promotion influenced by millennials, grief has finally made it out of the group chat.

Forgiveness

The Gentle Art of Letting Go

Kathy McCoy Ph.D. on June 20, 2025 in Complicated Love

Personal Perspective: Romantic breakups are uniquely painful, but out of the wreckage can come new insights and a chance to let go of anger and bitterness.

Personal Perspective: Romantic breakups are uniquely painful, but out of the wreckage can come new insights and a chance to let go of anger and bitterness.

Therapy

“Why Can’t They Just Get It?”

Chandra Davis ATR-BC, LPC, LCPAT, ATCS on June 20, 2025 in Communal Healing

First-gen therapy users often face unique challenges as healing can clash with familial values and strain relationships.

First-gen therapy users often face unique challenges as healing can clash with familial values and strain relationships.

Politics

A Strengths-Based Approach to Political Discussions

Ryan M. Niemiec Psy.D. on June 20, 2025 in What Matters Most?

While division, defensiveness, and misunderstanding are high in political conversations, you can create productive, meaningful communication by using your character strengths.

While division, defensiveness, and misunderstanding are high in political conversations, you can create productive, meaningful communication by using your character strengths.

Self-Esteem

Are You Truly Self-Aware or Just Self-Critical?

Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Ed.D. on June 20, 2025 in Everyday Resilience

If we only focus on our shortcomings and what needs improvement, we miss half the picture. What might change if we gave equal airtime to our strengths and what’s going well?

If we only focus on our shortcomings and what needs improvement, we miss half the picture. What might change if we gave equal airtime to our strengths and what’s going well?

Relationships

10 Commitment Factors That Keep Intimate Partners "All In"

Randi Gunther Ph.D. on June 20, 2025 in Rediscovering Love

Discover the surprising factors that keep intimate relationships strong for the long haul. Learn what truly builds a lasting bond.

Discover the surprising factors that keep intimate relationships strong for the long haul. Learn what truly builds a lasting bond.

Alcoholism

The Hidden Costs of Trying to Drink in Moderation

Jeanette Hu AMFT on June 20, 2025 in Sober Curiosity

Many try moderation. Few expect the emotional toll it can take.

Many try moderation. Few expect the emotional toll it can take.

Child Development

The Importance of Developmental Wellness to Foster Children

Michael W Corrigan Ed.D. on June 20, 2025 in Kids Being Kids

What if a holistic focus on assessing each child's unique development could transform 350,000 foster kids' trajectories and reduce the 7.5 million annual abuse/neglect reports?

What if a holistic focus on assessing each child's unique development could transform 350,000 foster kids' trajectories and reduce the 7.5 million annual abuse/neglect reports?

Decision-Making

The Sunk Cost Trap: Why We Throw Good Money After Bad

Carlos Alós-Ferrer Ph.D. on June 20, 2025 in Decisions and the Brain

You've probably fallen for this costly psychological trap without realizing it. Learn why we can't quit failing ventures—and how to escape.

You've probably fallen for this costly psychological trap without realizing it. Learn why we can't quit failing ventures—and how to escape.

Integrative Medicine

Integrative Medicine at the End of Life

Leslie E. Korn Ph.D., MPH, LMHC, ACS, FNTP on June 20, 2025 in Rhythms of Recovery

Integrative care at life’s end supports dignity, connection, and comfort, easing pain while honoring the body, mind, and spirit with compassion.

Integrative care at life’s end supports dignity, connection, and comfort, easing pain while honoring the body, mind, and spirit with compassion.

Parenting

Beyond Spock and “What To Expect”: Parenting Rewritten

Jeff Segal Psy.D. on June 20, 2025 in Bridging Three Generations

From Spock to Substack, parenting advice has evolved. Here's how grandparents can stay curious, current, and confidently navigate this new chapter.

From Spock to Substack, parenting advice has evolved. Here's how grandparents can stay curious, current, and confidently navigate this new chapter.

Anger

Healing From Chronic Resentment, Anger, and Emotional Abuse

Steven Stosny, Ph.D. on June 20, 2025 in Anger in the Age of Entitlement

Trust is a function of compassion. Trust eventually follows compassion, not the other way around.

Trust is a function of compassion. Trust eventually follows compassion, not the other way around.

Openness

Not Just Dreamers or Doers

Jessica Koehler Ph.D. on June 20, 2025 in Beyond School Walls

Some people are both highly curious and deeply disciplined. This rare psychological profile may hold the key to real change.

Some people are both highly curious and deeply disciplined. This rare psychological profile may hold the key to real change.