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

Consumer Behavior

Thinking About Your Next Holiday May Boost Your Well-Being

Cathrine V. Jansson-Boyd Ph.D. on July 18, 2025 in Consumer Psychology

We have clear evidence that holidays benefit well-being.

We have clear evidence that holidays benefit well-being.

Family Dynamics

What Are the 10 Qualities of a Healthy Family?

Randi Gunther Ph.D. on July 17, 2025 in Rediscovering Love

What helps families stay strong through life’s challenges? These 10 qualities show up in every healthy, connected family—and they might just change the way you see your own.

What helps families stay strong through life’s challenges? These 10 qualities show up in every healthy, connected family—and they might just change the way you see your own.

Stress

Why Does It Seem Like So Many People Lack Empathy?

Sherry Pagoto Ph.D. on July 17, 2025 in Shrink

We’re all guilty of low empathy from time to time, but that doesn’t mean that we are incapable of empathy. Learn five strategies to maximize your capacity for empathy.

We’re all guilty of low empathy from time to time, but that doesn’t mean that we are incapable of empathy. Learn five strategies to maximize your capacity for empathy.

Personality

Crowded Spaces: Are You a Spreader or a Squeezer?

Robert Goldman J.D., Psy.D. on July 17, 2025 in Building Resilient Minds

At a recent concert, I watched people either make room for others or subtly claim more space. This small moment says a lot about how we help, when we help, and who we are.

At a recent concert, I watched people either make room for others or subtly claim more space. This small moment says a lot about how we help, when we help, and who we are.

Gratitude

The 3 A’s: Useful Tools for Developing Gratitude

Timmen L. Cermak MD on July 17, 2025 in Healing from Addiction

How do we get rid of defenses developed during childhood? We cannot will them away, but we can become so aware of the pain they cause that they no longer seem worth the cost.

How do we get rid of defenses developed during childhood? We cannot will them away, but we can become so aware of the pain they cause that they no longer seem worth the cost.

Family Dynamics

5 Reasons Adults Opt for No or Low Contact With Their Parents

Edie Stark LCSW, MSc on July 17, 2025 in Body, Food, and Parenting

More adults are choosing low or no contact with their parents, not out of spite, but for healing. Here are 5 powerful, honest reasons why distance can be an act of self-care.

More adults are choosing low or no contact with their parents, not out of spite, but for healing. Here are 5 powerful, honest reasons why distance can be an act of self-care.

Career

The Real Reason Communication Breaks Down

Mike Verano LPC, LMFT on July 17, 2025 in Confessions of a Psychological First Responder

Despite advances in communication technology, the age-old problem of not being heard remains.

Despite advances in communication technology, the age-old problem of not being heard remains.

Creativity

How (and Why) to Think Like an Entrepreneur

Bruce Rosenstein on July 17, 2025 in The Peter Drucker Files

Cultivate beginner's mind as you approach a new project, career, field of study, or other pursuit at work or home.

Cultivate beginner's mind as you approach a new project, career, field of study, or other pursuit at work or home.

Relationships

Express Yourself Without Taxing Your Mental Load

Lauren Dennelly Ph.D., LCSW on July 17, 2025 in The Mental Health of Girls and Women

Do you want to express your needs without lengthening your to-do list? Find out how to address your own expectations and communicate more effectively with your partner.

Do you want to express your needs without lengthening your to-do list? Find out how to address your own expectations and communicate more effectively with your partner.

Parenting

6 Ways to Help a Child With Neuroinflammation Navigate Summer

Odelya Gertel Kraybill Ph.D. on July 17, 2025 in Expressive Trauma Integration

Parenting kids living with neuroinflammation means doing less, not more. Consider these tips to foster safety, reduce overwhelm, and navigate summer with compassion.

Parenting kids living with neuroinflammation means doing less, not more. Consider these tips to foster safety, reduce overwhelm, and navigate summer with compassion.

Happiness

Why Purpose Alone Can't Solve the Mental Health Crisis

Jordan Grumet M.D. on July 17, 2025 in The Regret-Free Life

Purpose matters, but it’s not a cure-all. “Finding purpose” is not the key to solving today’s mental health crisis. Here’s what really helps.

Purpose matters, but it’s not a cure-all. “Finding purpose” is not the key to solving today’s mental health crisis. Here’s what really helps.

Psychiatry

A Step Toward Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for College Students

Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry on July 17, 2025 in Psychiatry’s Think Tank

College students face a growing mental health crisis. Psychiatry residents can be part of the solution.

College students face a growing mental health crisis. Psychiatry residents can be part of the solution.

Orgasm

Top 3 Tips for Sexual Pleasure with a Partner

Caitlin Cantor LCSW, CST, CGT on July 17, 2025 in Modern Sex

Orgasming with a partner is different than orgasming through masturbation. Here are the skills you need.

Orgasming with a partner is different than orgasming through masturbation. Here are the skills you need.

Resilience

You're Not the Thought You're Thinking

Gina Vild on July 17, 2025 in A Buoyant Life

Tired of self-defeating thoughts? Here's a way to change the channel in your mind.

Tired of self-defeating thoughts? Here's a way to change the channel in your mind.

Health

It's Time for Healthcare to Take Social Disconnection Seriously

Kim Samuel on July 17, 2025 in The Power of Belonging

New research shows that medical professionals need greater awareness of the implications of social isolation on human health. Just as importantly, they need awareness of solutions.

New research shows that medical professionals need greater awareness of the implications of social isolation on human health. Just as importantly, they need awareness of solutions.

Law and Crime

Red Flag Laws Save Lives. Texas Just Banned Them.

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on July 17, 2025 in From the Desk of the Mental Health Lawyer

A new law bans the creation or enforcement of extreme risk protection orders, stripping families’ and the police’s ability to ask courts to remove weapons from those in crisis.

A new law bans the creation or enforcement of extreme risk protection orders, stripping families’ and the police’s ability to ask courts to remove weapons from those in crisis.

Adolescence

How to Help Teens Feeling Summertime Loneliness

Eugene Beresin M.D., M.A. on July 17, 2025 in Inside Out, Outside In

Although most teens view summer as a welcome time for freedom, fun, and relaxation, some experience profound loneliness that parents need to address.

Although most teens view summer as a welcome time for freedom, fun, and relaxation, some experience profound loneliness that parents need to address.

Neuroscience

The Neuroscience of Identity and Our Many Selves

Jason Shimiaie M.D. on July 17, 2025 in An Interpersonal Lens

You are not one self, but many. Psychology and neuroscience now agree that our identity is made of parts, shaped by brain networks that shift with emotion, memory, and context.

You are not one self, but many. Psychology and neuroscience now agree that our identity is made of parts, shaped by brain networks that shift with emotion, memory, and context.

Relationships

Don’t Be a Jerk: The Relationship Rule That Actually Works

Matt Wotton, MBA and Graham Johnston, MBA on July 17, 2025 in Get Some Help!

The best predictor of relationship success isn’t how often you have sex or how well you communicate. It's something simpler — and harder.

The best predictor of relationship success isn’t how often you have sex or how well you communicate. It's something simpler — and harder.

Neuroscience

The Neuropsychology Behind Our Emotions With Loss

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on July 17, 2025 in The Mind of a Collector

Loss is inevitable. Neuropsychologically, we know this. Understanding and appreciating how our brains process loss can be helpful.

Loss is inevitable. Neuropsychologically, we know this. Understanding and appreciating how our brains process loss can be helpful.

Extroversion

Helping Introverts Growing Up in Extraverted Families

Barbara Greenberg Ph.D. on July 17, 2025 in The Teen Doctor

It can be extremely stressful to be an introvert in a very social family.

It can be extremely stressful to be an introvert in a very social family.

Education

Kids Fail When Adults Don't Care

Timothy Cook M.Ed. on July 17, 2025 in The Algorithmic Mind

Kids struggle when people see them as data points instead of whole people. Cultural connection and empathy can change this.

Kids struggle when people see them as data points instead of whole people. Cultural connection and empathy can change this.

Motivation

10 Questions to Resolve Ambivalence

Valerie Hoover Ph.D. on July 17, 2025 in Awakening Motivation for Change

Answer these questions to build motivation for change.

Answer these questions to build motivation for change.

Artificial Intelligence

AI and the Arrival of the Cognitive Colonizers

John Nosta on July 17, 2025 in The Digital Self

Is AI quietly reshaping how we think, slowly influencing what still feels entirely our own?

Is AI quietly reshaping how we think, slowly influencing what still feels entirely our own?

Stress

Navigating Financial Trauma Amid Economic Uncertainty

Joyce Marter LCPC on July 17, 2025 in Mental Wealth

Learn how financial trauma impacts your well-being, and discover simple, practical steps to build resilience and regain control over your money mindset.

Learn how financial trauma impacts your well-being, and discover simple, practical steps to build resilience and regain control over your money mindset.

Play

Visions of the Good Life: Which One Is Yours?

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on July 17, 2025 in The Pathways of Experience

Who among us hasn't traveled somewhere and thought: "I'd like to live here"? But vacationing and routine living are different matters.

Who among us hasn't traveled somewhere and thought: "I'd like to live here"? But vacationing and routine living are different matters.

Artificial Intelligence

AI and the Mind: Shortcut or Superpower?

Alain Samson Ph.D. on July 17, 2025 in Consumed

Generative AI can outsource our thinking or extend it—if we can use it with intention.

Generative AI can outsource our thinking or extend it—if we can use it with intention.

Deception

The Complicated Truth About Lying

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on July 17, 2025 in Raising Resilient Children

Lying isn’t always selfish; often, it serves as a survival strategy shaped by evolution and empathy.

Lying isn’t always selfish; often, it serves as a survival strategy shaped by evolution and empathy.

Productivity

The Illusion of Faster

Faisal Hoque on July 17, 2025 in Code & Conscience

In a culture obsessed with speed, slowing down is a vital skill for clarity, connection, and meaning.

In a culture obsessed with speed, slowing down is a vital skill for clarity, connection, and meaning.