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

Pregnancy

The Missing Specialty in Maternal Mental Health

Meg LeDuc on July 14, 2026 in The Lives We Don’t See

Clinicians and advocates are working to establish reproductive psychiatry as a formal subspecialty to ensure women like me receive evidence-based guidance when they need it most.

Clinicians and advocates are working to establish reproductive psychiatry as a formal subspecialty to ensure women like me receive evidence-based guidance when they need it most.

Education

PSA: Your PhD Is for You

Anna Braverman Psy.D. on July 14, 2026 in A Mental Health Manual For Grad Students

The ultimate goal of grad school should be that you live a better life, whatever that looks like for you. It is OK if what you want for yourself is not what others want for you.

The ultimate goal of grad school should be that you live a better life, whatever that looks like for you. It is OK if what you want for yourself is not what others want for you.

Adolescence

When Summer Isn't Relaxing

Liz Nissim Ph.D. on July 14, 2026 in Special Matters

Is the freedom of summer actually stressing your kids out? Learn why the lack of school-year structure can quietly trigger anxiety in children and teens.

Is the freedom of summer actually stressing your kids out? Learn why the lack of school-year structure can quietly trigger anxiety in children and teens.

Resilience

The Story You Tell Yourself Can Change Your Life

John-Manuel Andriote on July 14, 2026 in Stonewall Strong

What if the story you tell yourself is keeping you stuck? "Re-storying" life's hardest experiences can uncover the resilience that has been inside you all along.

What if the story you tell yourself is keeping you stuck? "Re-storying" life's hardest experiences can uncover the resilience that has been inside you all along.

Harm Reduction

E-cigarette Regulatory Gaps and Substance Use Recovery

Pavillon Addiction Treatment Group on July 14, 2026 in Addiction Recovery for Life

E-cigarettes are viewed by many, including the FDA, as a harm reduction for smokers. But with 86 percent of U.S. products being unregulated and smuggled, how can we be so sure?

E-cigarettes are viewed by many, including the FDA, as a harm reduction for smokers. But with 86 percent of U.S. products being unregulated and smuggled, how can we be so sure?

Relationships

The Hidden Dynamics of Defiance and How to Disarm It

Lynn Margolies Ph.D. on July 14, 2026 in Therapy Insider

Did you ever take someone's side against the one who wronged them, only to have it come back to haunt you? Learn frustration-free ways to help a stuck person who won’t take advice.

Did you ever take someone's side against the one who wronged them, only to have it come back to haunt you? Learn frustration-free ways to help a stuck person who won’t take advice.

Artificial Intelligence

Most of Life Is And, Not Or

Scott Barry Kaufman on July 14, 2026 in Beautiful Minds

The "it's not X, it's Y" line is self-help's favorite move—and now AI's too. But reality is rarely either/or. Why yes/and thinking is truer—and has to start with us.

The "it's not X, it's Y" line is self-help's favorite move—and now AI's too. But reality is rarely either/or. Why yes/and thinking is truer—and has to start with us.

Projection

Aliens, Xenophobia, and the Perennial Problem of Evil

Stephen A. Diamond Ph.D. on July 14, 2026 in Evil Deeds

What if UAPs, UFOs, and aliens turn out to be evil?

What if UAPs, UFOs, and aliens turn out to be evil?

Epigenetics

It’s Not a Generational Curse, It’s a Choice

Arletha D. Lizana Ph.D., MPH, MBA on July 14, 2026 in Honoring Ancestral Wisdom

Epigenetics and family patterns are not fate.

Epigenetics and family patterns are not fate.

Memory

Why We Weep for Odysseus' Dog

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on July 14, 2026 in Ataraxia

The Odyssey's most moving scene reveals why recognition, memory, and home lie at the heart of the human experience.

The Odyssey's most moving scene reveals why recognition, memory, and home lie at the heart of the human experience.

Body Image

What if the Goal Isn't About How Your Postpartum Body Looks?

Charlotte Markey Ph.D. on July 14, 2026 in Smart People Don’t Diet

What if women didn't feel pressure to "bounce back" to their pre-pregnancy bodies after they gave birth? Can a body-neutral approach help new moms take care of themselves?

What if women didn't feel pressure to "bounce back" to their pre-pregnancy bodies after they gave birth? Can a body-neutral approach help new moms take care of themselves?

Artificial Intelligence

What Hollywood Got Right About AI—and Human Nature

Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry on July 14, 2026 in Psychiatry’s Think Tank

These AI films predicted something more enduring than technology: the timeless human need to be understood, loved, and emotionally connected.

These AI films predicted something more enduring than technology: the timeless human need to be understood, loved, and emotionally connected.

ADHD

A Common Struggle for Women With ADHD

Enterprise ADHD Institute on July 14, 2026 in Is This How Normal People Feel?

There's one trap we all fall into: believing we're alone in our suffering. For ADHD women, one hidden thread ties that feeling together.

There's one trap we all fall into: believing we're alone in our suffering. For ADHD women, one hidden thread ties that feeling together.

Psychology

Why Science Is Taking UFOs Seriously, and You Should, Too

Jennice Vilhauer Ph.D. on July 14, 2026 in Living Forward

Why are scientists taking unidentified aerial phenomena seriously? Because every answer matters for science, national security, and the people whose lives are changed by these experiences.

Why are scientists taking unidentified aerial phenomena seriously? Because every answer matters for science, national security, and the people whose lives are changed by these experiences.

Politics

The ‘Havana Syndrome’ Payout: When the Nocebo Effect Wins the Lottery

Robert Bartholomew Ph.D. on July 14, 2026 in It's Catching

Why is the U.S. government giving money to victims of a nonexistent condition?

Why is the U.S. government giving money to victims of a nonexistent condition?

Sport and Competition

Competition Is Intrinsic to Children and Their Development

Ragnar Purje Ph.D. on July 14, 2026 in Recovery From Brain Injury

Calls to stop rating and ranking overlook a vital universal truth: ratings have been integral to personal and social development since the dawn of human consciousness.

Calls to stop rating and ranking overlook a vital universal truth: ratings have been integral to personal and social development since the dawn of human consciousness.

Friends

How to Raise a Child Other Kids Want to Be Friends With

Pamela D. Brown Ph.D. on July 14, 2026 in School Culture

Friendships require compromise, adaptability, and the ability to tolerate disappointment. Summer provides natural opportunities to help children strengthen all three.

Friendships require compromise, adaptability, and the ability to tolerate disappointment. Summer provides natural opportunities to help children strengthen all three.

Relationships

8 Signs Someone Truly Feels Emotionally Safe With You

Duygu Balan LPCC on July 14, 2026 in Un-Numb

Small, everyday interactions reveal whether someone truly feels safe enough to be themselves around you.

Small, everyday interactions reveal whether someone truly feels safe enough to be themselves around you.

Emotions

The Dangers of Purpose as a Proxy for Desire

Srini Pillay M.D. on July 14, 2026 in Debunking Myths of the Mind

Purpose gives life direction. Desire gives it energy. Confusing the two may come at a cost to your physical health.

Purpose gives life direction. Desire gives it energy. Confusing the two may come at a cost to your physical health.

Self-Talk

What Comes After the Word "What" Is What Really Matters

Jeffrey S. Nevid, Ph.D., ABPP on July 13, 2026 in The Minute Therapist

How can changing one little word in your self-talk make such a big difference?

How can changing one little word in your self-talk make such a big difference?

Bias

Do People Trust Science Anymore?

Gina Simmons Schneider Ph.D. on July 13, 2026 in Frazzlebrain

There are several psychological reasons why some people reject scientific consensus. How distant one feels psychologically from science increases the likelihood of rejection.

There are several psychological reasons why some people reject scientific consensus. How distant one feels psychologically from science increases the likelihood of rejection.

Alcoholism

Can a Temporary Break From Drinking Make Moderation Easier?

Arnold M. Washton Ph.D. on July 13, 2026 in Harm Reduction or Abstinence?

Many people struggle to moderate their drinking. A temporary alcohol-free reset may significantly improve the odds of lasting success.

Many people struggle to moderate their drinking. A temporary alcohol-free reset may significantly improve the odds of lasting success.

Self-Help

To Risk, or Not to Risk?

Rick Miller LICSW on July 13, 2026 in Unwrapped

Life presents us with a number of opportunities for change, and we get to decide whether to take risks or maintain the status quo.

Life presents us with a number of opportunities for change, and we get to decide whether to take risks or maintain the status quo.

Positive Psychology

Why "Living in the Now" Is Not Enough

Dan J. Tomasulo PhD., TEP, MFA, MAPP on July 13, 2026 in The Healing Crowd

Everyone tells you to live in the now. Almost nobody tells you why that's only half the answer.

Everyone tells you to live in the now. Almost nobody tells you why that's only half the answer.

Friends

5 Signs You're in a One-Sided Friendship (And How to Fix It)

Loren Soeiro, Ph.D. ABPP on July 13, 2026 in I Hear You

You keep making excuses for them. You're always the one texting first. You get together and go home exhausted. Here's how to tell if a changing friendship is no longer mutual.

You keep making excuses for them. You're always the one texting first. You get together and go home exhausted. Here's how to tell if a changing friendship is no longer mutual.

Artificial Intelligence

I Need Help! Should I Use an AI Chatbot or a Therapist?

Judith S. Beck Ph.D. on July 13, 2026 in Think Your Way to Health

The risks and benefits of AI chatbots vs. therapy for mental health support.

The risks and benefits of AI chatbots vs. therapy for mental health support.

Psychiatry

Learning to Tolerate and Make Sense of Psychiatric Symptoms

Stephen A. Diamond Ph.D. on July 13, 2026 in Evil Deeds

How can we learn to be more patient and tolerant toward our symptoms?

How can we learn to be more patient and tolerant toward our symptoms?

Therapy

Why Communication Tools Can Fail in Couple Therapy

Jason N. Linder, PsyD on July 13, 2026 in Relationship and Trauma Insights

Discover why the "skill-building" model often backfires, and learn what actually drives deep and lasting relational change.

Discover why the "skill-building" model often backfires, and learn what actually drives deep and lasting relational change.

Leadership

The New Science for Thriving Teams and Cultures

Jamie Shapiro Ph.D. on July 13, 2026 in Well-being Is Foundational of Leadership

Culture transformation doesn’t have to feel elusive. Discover how the evidence-based 5Cs model gives leaders a roadmap to build thriving, high-performing teams and cultures.

Culture transformation doesn’t have to feel elusive. Discover how the evidence-based 5Cs model gives leaders a roadmap to build thriving, high-performing teams and cultures.