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

Parenting

Healthy Phone Practices for Teens and Tweens

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on September 12, 2026 in Aligning for Growth

Deciding when to get a child their first phone is an important parental decision. Weigh these considerations and set expectations before making the leap.

Deciding when to get a child their first phone is an important parental decision. Weigh these considerations and set expectations before making the leap.

Psychosis

The Key to the Lindsay Clancy Case: Defining Psychosis

Stephen A. Diamond Ph.D. on September 12, 2026 in Evil Deeds

The phenomenon of psychosis remains mysterious and enigmatic.

The phenomenon of psychosis remains mysterious and enigmatic.

Disaster Psychology

Medical First Responders: Unsung Heroes

Krystine I. Batcho Ph.D. on September 12, 2026 in Longing for Nostalgia

We witness the heroism of first responders to disasters and mass casualty events in graphic media coverage, but are less likely to notice the sacrifices of health care responders.

We witness the heroism of first responders to disasters and mass casualty events in graphic media coverage, but are less likely to notice the sacrifices of health care responders.

Traumatic Brain Injury

The Future of Football

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on September 12, 2026 in Play in Mind

150 million American fans follow football. But popularity does not guarantee persistence.

150 million American fans follow football. But popularity does not guarantee persistence.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

'Musterbation' Makes Us Miserable

Jeffrey S. Nevid, Ph.D., ABPP on September 12, 2026 in The Minute Therapist

Changing one little word can make a big difference in your life.

Changing one little word can make a big difference in your life.

Relationships

The Hidden Burden of Being Loved Too Much

Aaron Ben-Zeév Ph.D. on September 12, 2026 in In the Name of Love

Love may be essential to a flourishing life, but love is not all we need.

Love may be essential to a flourishing life, but love is not all we need.

Therapy

You, Therapy, and AI

Marty Klein Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Sexual Intelligence

Personal Perspective: AI's goal is to keep us engaged with it, so it rarely challenges us. Instead, it encourages us to feel understood—and to forget we're talking with a machine.

Personal Perspective: AI's goal is to keep us engaged with it, so it rarely challenges us. Instead, it encourages us to feel understood—and to forget we're talking with a machine.

Rejection Sensitivity

The Impact of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

Catherine J. Mutti-Driscoll Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Empowerment Is Real

Understanding how RSD shapes self-worth and coping strategies reveals the deep impact it has on individuals' lives.

Understanding how RSD shapes self-worth and coping strategies reveals the deep impact it has on individuals' lives.

Motivation

Before You Tear Down the Wall, Ask Why It’s There

Jaron Vesely MSW on September 11, 2026 in Inner Architecture

We’re often quick to treat unwanted patterns as problems to fix. But before trying to change them, it may be worth asking what they’ve been doing for us all along.

We’re often quick to treat unwanted patterns as problems to fix. But before trying to change them, it may be worth asking what they’ve been doing for us all along.

Law and Crime

The Lindsay Clancy Trial: An Update

Richard Lettieri Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Decoding Madness

Psychiatric testimony at the trial was comprehensive and confrontational at times. Yet the fundamental issue of the insanity defense was left unaddressed.

Psychiatric testimony at the trial was comprehensive and confrontational at times. Yet the fundamental issue of the insanity defense was left unaddressed.

Anxiety

What Will You Do to Escape Uncertainty?

Keven Duffy LCSW on September 11, 2026 in The Subplot

When uncertainty becomes intolerable, we may make decisions simply to escape not knowing. Understanding that impulse can help us choose differently.

When uncertainty becomes intolerable, we may make decisions simply to escape not knowing. Understanding that impulse can help us choose differently.

Relationships

How to Build Hope When Your Relationship Feels Stuck

Signe Simon, Ph.D., and Simone Humphrey, PsyD on September 11, 2026 in Love, Examined

When the same painful fights leave you feeling hopeless, change can seem out of reach. Hope begins when you discover that how you show up can change what happens next.

When the same painful fights leave you feeling hopeless, change can seem out of reach. Hope begins when you discover that how you show up can change what happens next.

Adolescence

Stop Blaming Kids for Technology Designed to Capture Them

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Neuroscience in Everyday Life

We’ve blamed screens and content. The deeper problem may be the machinery behind them—and what it teaches developing brains about attention, reward, trust, and stress.

We’ve blamed screens and content. The deeper problem may be the machinery behind them—and what it teaches developing brains about attention, reward, trust, and stress.

Internet Addiction

What Is the Screen Replacing?

Liz Nissim Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Special Matters

Before you limit your child’s screen time, ask yourself one important question: What is the screen replacing?

Before you limit your child’s screen time, ask yourself one important question: What is the screen replacing?

Mild Cognitive Impairment

4 Surprising Facts About Memory Loss

Susan K Perry Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Creating in Flow

While no one welcomes a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, a resilient attitude can help make the most of the still-good years that remain.

While no one welcomes a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, a resilient attitude can help make the most of the still-good years that remain.

Memory

Teaching 9/11 to Students Who Weren’t Born Yet

America Edwards, Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in The Ties That Connect Us

What does it mean to remember an event you never experienced? A 30-year-old communication professor and her 18-year-old students explore how 9/11 is carried across generations.

What does it mean to remember an event you never experienced? A 30-year-old communication professor and her 18-year-old students explore how 9/11 is carried across generations.

Anxiety

Breaking the Anxiety Cycle

Evan Parks Psy.D. on September 11, 2026 in Pain Rehabilitation

How better breathing can help calm tension, interrupt anxious thinking, and restore your sense of control. Learn the four steps of cyclic sighing to manage stress and anxiety.

How better breathing can help calm tension, interrupt anxious thinking, and restore your sense of control. Learn the four steps of cyclic sighing to manage stress and anxiety.

Career

Are You Doing the Work You Were Meant to Do?

Mark C. Crowley on September 11, 2026 in The Power of Employee Well-Being

Discover how your unique traits, past experiences, and personal strengths hold the key to finding work that truly feels like your calling.

Discover how your unique traits, past experiences, and personal strengths hold the key to finding work that truly feels like your calling.

Trauma

Dissociation Through a Trauma Lens

Robert T Muller Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Talking About Trauma

How trauma can shape dissociation, and why understanding it matters for healing.

How trauma can shape dissociation, and why understanding it matters for healing.

Trauma

The Portrayal of Trauma in "Furious"

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on September 11, 2026 in Cinematherapy

Hulu’s new drama "Furious" unpacks the world of sex trafficking, sexual violence, PTSD, and denial. The themes are familiar, but the nuance and details of this series feel unusual.

Hulu’s new drama "Furious" unpacks the world of sex trafficking, sexual violence, PTSD, and denial. The themes are familiar, but the nuance and details of this series feel unusual.

Sex

After Facing Death, Is There Any Hope for Sex?

Lucas Reyes Prieto PhD, MSW on September 11, 2026 in No Need to Flex, Let's Normalize Sex

The intersection of death and sex is complex and can be hard to navigate, especially as we age. But there are ways forward.

The intersection of death and sex is complex and can be hard to navigate, especially as we age. But there are ways forward.

Artificial Intelligence

Confidence Versus Competence: A Bad Trade-off

Cornelia C. Walther Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Harnessing Hybrid Intelligence

The gap between confidence and competence widens when our certainty grows faster than our comprehension, especially with AI use.

The gap between confidence and competence widens when our certainty grows faster than our comprehension, especially with AI use.

Mating

What Is ‘Dial-Toning’ in Dating

Bruce Y. Lee M.D., M.B.A. on September 11, 2026 in A Funny Bone to Pick

Have people ever given you their contact info only to then ignore or in some way avoid you when you actually reach out to them? Well, you probably experienced some dial-toning.

Have people ever given you their contact info only to then ignore or in some way avoid you when you actually reach out to them? Well, you probably experienced some dial-toning.

Fear

Yes, You Should Be Afraid of Death

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on September 11, 2026 in Ataraxia

Death harms us not only by ending our life, but by making us spend that life fearing its end. How can we prevent death from defeating us twice?

Death harms us not only by ending our life, but by making us spend that life fearing its end. How can we prevent death from defeating us twice?

Memory

25 Years Later, Do You Remember 9/11?

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Mental Mishaps

After 25 years, do you remember where you were when you learned about September 11th, 2001? Most people recall hearing the news. Why do we remember? Are our memories accurate?

After 25 years, do you remember where you were when you learned about September 11th, 2001? Most people recall hearing the news. Why do we remember? Are our memories accurate?

Relationships

How to Handle Criticism Without Becoming Defensive

Ira Israel LMFT on September 11, 2026 in Authenticity 101

Relationship expert Dr. Warren Farrell believes that defensiveness is the single largest barrier to a happy relationship. Here's why.

Relationship expert Dr. Warren Farrell believes that defensiveness is the single largest barrier to a happy relationship. Here's why.

Relationships

The Psychology of Asking Your Partner for Help

Boris Herzberg on September 11, 2026 in The Psychology of Relationships and Emotional Intelligence

Why do some people push help away, even when they desperately want it? The psychology of hyper-independence and what it costs our relationships.

Why do some people push help away, even when they desperately want it? The psychology of hyper-independence and what it costs our relationships.

Narcissism

Are We All a Little Bit Narcissistic?

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on September 11, 2026 in Invisible Bruises

Narcissistic traits don’t always mean narcissistic personality disorder. Here’s why understanding the difference matters.

Narcissistic traits don’t always mean narcissistic personality disorder. Here’s why understanding the difference matters.

Environment

How Our Senses Soak Up the Wonder and Vitality of Nature

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on September 11, 2026 in Animal Emotions

A most thoughtful book titled 'Sensoria' helps us delight in our sensual engagements and moral imaginations and appreciate and absorb the magnificent world we cohabit with others.

A most thoughtful book titled 'Sensoria' helps us delight in our sensual engagements and moral imaginations and appreciate and absorb the magnificent world we cohabit with others.