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Midlife

Beyond Vanity: Feeling Attractive in Midlife

Judith Zackson Ph.D. on April 12, 2026 in Create the Life You Love

Looking better in midlife can reflect a deeper return to your sense of self.

Looking better in midlife can reflect a deeper return to your sense of self.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Are Muslim Arabs Especially Likely to Believe in Fate?

Lawrence T. White Ph.D. on April 12, 2026 in Culture Conscious

Some researchers have claimed that Muslim Arabs, as a group, are inclined to believe that life events are predetermined and inevitable. Is that actually true?

Some researchers have claimed that Muslim Arabs, as a group, are inclined to believe that life events are predetermined and inevitable. Is that actually true?

Decision-Making

Our Feelings Contradict Each Other, and That's OK

Nancy Colier LCSW, Rev. on April 12, 2026 in Inviting a Monkey to Tea

All of life exists in contradiction.

All of life exists in contradiction.

Motivation

Why Reason Alone Doesn’t Motivate Us

Ira Bedzow Ph.D. on April 12, 2026 in Life, Well Lived

We assume knowing what’s right will lead to action, but it rarely does. Motivation comes from what we care about, and lasting change happens when actions align with identity.

We assume knowing what’s right will lead to action, but it rarely does. Motivation comes from what we care about, and lasting change happens when actions align with identity.

Resilience

Developing True Resilience: Think Like a Scientist

Darby Bonomi Ph.D. on April 12, 2026 in Getting Back on the Horse

True and lasting resilience is built over time by not just weathering life's storms, but growing from them.

True and lasting resilience is built over time by not just weathering life's storms, but growing from them.

Trauma

EMDR in a World Hyper‑Focused on Healing

Megan Ashley Smith on April 12, 2026 in Unpacking Therapy Culture

You don't need another checklist to follow. EMDR can help you make sense of your internal world and feel more human.

You don't need another checklist to follow. EMDR can help you make sense of your internal world and feel more human.

Relationships

A Liberating New Approach to Dating for Lonely Women

Rachel Allyn Ph.D. on April 12, 2026 in The Pleasure Is All Yours

There's a growing trend of selective women who find themselves happily single, no longer buying into the old messages that their worth and validity come from being partnered.

There's a growing trend of selective women who find themselves happily single, no longer buying into the old messages that their worth and validity come from being partnered.

Parenting

A Classmate Has Died. How Do I Talk About It With My Child?

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on April 12, 2026 in Facing Life's Challenges

Talking with a child when they lose a peer can be daunting. Asking them to think about this as a fact can feel cruel. It's best to approach with a well-considered plan.

Talking with a child when they lose a peer can be daunting. Asking them to think about this as a fact can feel cruel. It's best to approach with a well-considered plan.

Animal Behavior

Rockhounding and Our Primordial Fascination With Crystals

Lori Plutchik, M.D. on April 12, 2026 in The Colors of Contemporary Psychiatry

Rockhounding connects us to our primordial interest in crystals and gemstones, as demonstrated in a fascinating new study of chimpanzees.

Rockhounding connects us to our primordial interest in crystals and gemstones, as demonstrated in a fascinating new study of chimpanzees.

Relationships

What Strong Couples Repair

Sefik Tagay Ph.D. on April 12, 2026 in Restoring the Equilibrium

Lasting relationships protect core psychological needs and rely on rapid repair when conflict threatens safety, dignity, and connection.

Lasting relationships protect core psychological needs and rely on rapid repair when conflict threatens safety, dignity, and connection.

Parenting

Too Much Advice Is Making Us Worse at Parenting

Jenny Brown, Ph.D. on April 12, 2026 in The Paradoxical Path of Parental Differentiation

Too much parenting advice may be doing more harm than good, turning parenting into a high-stakes project rather than a lived relationship that fosters self-awareness.

Too much parenting advice may be doing more harm than good, turning parenting into a high-stakes project rather than a lived relationship that fosters self-awareness.

Anxiety

You Are Not a Project to Be Improved

Kristen Dial, Psy.D. on April 11, 2026 in The Space Between Us

We live in a culture that tells us to keep improving, but what if the pressure to get everything “right” is actually pulling us further from what we need most?

We live in a culture that tells us to keep improving, but what if the pressure to get everything “right” is actually pulling us further from what we need most?

Social Life

What Is Soft Socializing?

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

Feeling drained by traditional socializing? Low-pressure, activity-based connection might be exactly what you need.

Feeling drained by traditional socializing? Low-pressure, activity-based connection might be exactly what you need.

Cognition

How to Break a Loop of Stuck Thinking

Alice Boyes Ph.D. on April 11, 2026 in In Practice

These nine diagnostic strategies can stop you from spinning in circles.

These nine diagnostic strategies can stop you from spinning in circles.

Psychedelics

The Art of Integration After a Psychedelic Experience

Michael Ryoshin Sapiro, Psy.D. on April 11, 2026 in Truth Medicine

The integration process after a psychedelic session must be done with care and intention to create sustained changes.

The integration process after a psychedelic session must be done with care and intention to create sustained changes.

Parenting

Parenting a Child With Pathological Demand Avoidance

Becky Ready Ph.D., ABPP on April 11, 2026 in Your Quality of Life

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) involves powerful emotions and behaviors that are difficult to manage. A study sheds light on the experiences of mothers of children with PDA.

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) involves powerful emotions and behaviors that are difficult to manage. A study sheds light on the experiences of mothers of children with PDA.

Relationships

The 5 Most Common Causes of Arguments and How to Avoid Them

Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on April 11, 2026 in Fixing Families

Arguments are the result of unresolved problems and poor emotional regulation. Here are five common causes and five preventive skills.

Arguments are the result of unresolved problems and poor emotional regulation. Here are five common causes and five preventive skills.

Personal Perspectives

Brain Injury May Reverse Pre-Injury Trauma Work

Shireen Jeejeebhoy on April 11, 2026 in Concussion Is Brain Injury

Personal Perspective: Trauma can reanimate after a brain injury. I found that this type of "unhealing" is not discussed during neuro-rehab.

Personal Perspective: Trauma can reanimate after a brain injury. I found that this type of "unhealing" is not discussed during neuro-rehab.

Perfectionism

The Obsessive-Compulsive Pursuit of Clarity Over Freedom

Leon Garber LMHC on April 11, 2026 in Perfectionism

People with obsessive-compulsive tendencies struggle when life feels chaotic. Yet embracing ambiguity can help us lead more meaningful lives.

People with obsessive-compulsive tendencies struggle when life feels chaotic. Yet embracing ambiguity can help us lead more meaningful lives.

Diet

Not All “Plant-Based” Diets Are Equal for Brain Health

Karen E. Todd RD, CSCS, EP-C, CISSN on April 11, 2026 in Feed Your Brain

A large study suggests healthier plant-based diets may be linked to lower dementia risk, while processed plant foods may not. But the findings show association, not proof.

A large study suggests healthier plant-based diets may be linked to lower dementia risk, while processed plant foods may not. But the findings show association, not proof.

Parenting

In Defense of "Gentle Parenting"

Elisa T. Bronfman, Ph.D., and Johanna D. Sagarin, Ph.D. on April 11, 2026 in Aligning for Growth

People love to endorse some parenting behaviors while deriding others on social media. But parenting isn't about entertainment. It's about what's best for kids.

People love to endorse some parenting behaviors while deriding others on social media. But parenting isn't about entertainment. It's about what's best for kids.

Rejection Sensitivity

Acceptance and Rejection Are Universal

Ragnar Purje Ph.D. on April 11, 2026 in Recovery From Brain Injury

Relationships are voluntary. Self-chosen psychological processes generate liking, trust, and the potential for relational engagement, none of which can be coerced.

Relationships are voluntary. Self-chosen psychological processes generate liking, trust, and the potential for relational engagement, none of which can be coerced.

Personal Perspectives

Psychological Dimensions of Zen Garden Temples

Susan M. Pollak MTS, Ed.D. on April 11, 2026 in The Art of Now

Personal Perspective: What do the findings of the spacecraft Artemis 2 and an ancient Zen garden temple have in common?

Personal Perspective: What do the findings of the spacecraft Artemis 2 and an ancient Zen garden temple have in common?

Boundaries

3 Steps to Setting Boundaries During Divorce

Oona Metz LICSW on April 11, 2026 in Unhitched

You may worry that if you set a boundary with someone, you will lose them but the truth is, if you don't hold your boundary, you may lose yourself.

You may worry that if you set a boundary with someone, you will lose them but the truth is, if you don't hold your boundary, you may lose yourself.

Personal Perspectives

Using Human Kindness as a Shield Against School Violence

Nina E. Cerfolio M.D. on April 11, 2026 in Esprit

Personal Perspective: Radical kindness and social-emotional support, not bulletproof gear, is the key to healing our classrooms and teachers.

Personal Perspective: Radical kindness and social-emotional support, not bulletproof gear, is the key to healing our classrooms and teachers.

Animal Behavior

The Clout of Companion Animal Psychology for Dogs and Cats

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

Psychologist Zazie Todd makes the science of dog and cat behavior widely accessible and teaches pet guardians how to use positive, force-free methods.

Psychologist Zazie Todd makes the science of dog and cat behavior widely accessible and teaches pet guardians how to use positive, force-free methods.

Trauma

Do You Have to Be Healed to Be Whole?

Gregg McBride on April 11, 2026 in The Weight-ing Game

What if healing isn’t about “getting over” your past but learning to carry it differently? Trauma may stay, but it doesn’t have to define you.

What if healing isn’t about “getting over” your past but learning to carry it differently? Trauma may stay, but it doesn’t have to define you.

Grit

Don’t Waste Your Grit When It’s Time to Quit

T. Alexander Puutio Ph.D. on April 10, 2026 in Curiosity Code

You likely chose your career too early. The math of optimal stopping and the psychology of exploration show why quitting smarter can lead to better work.

You likely chose your career too early. The math of optimal stopping and the psychology of exploration show why quitting smarter can lead to better work.

Personal Perspectives

On the Myths of Publishing: A Writer's Lament

Eliezer Sobel on April 10, 2026 in The 99th Monkey

Personal Perspective: As an aspiring writer, you may dream of the big moment when a publisher buys your book. Not so fast...

Personal Perspective: As an aspiring writer, you may dream of the big moment when a publisher buys your book. Not so fast...