Relationships

Embracing Change

By Linda and Charlie Bloom on August 19, 2019 in Stronger at the Broken Places

Changing conditioned patterns is not easy, but believing that change is possible is a good start.

Changing conditioned patterns is not easy, but believing that change is possible is a good start.

Parenting

The Imaginative Child

By Jessica Koehler Ph.D. on August 19, 2019 in Beyond School Walls

Should I be worried if my child has an imaginary friend?

Should I be worried if my child has an imaginary friend?

Behavioral Economics

Hong Kong Protests: Reasoning and Emotion

By Louis Putterman Ph.D. on August 18, 2019 in The Good, The Bad, The Economy

Hong Kong protests illustrate the complex social side of human nature. Behavioral economics suggests how strategic calculation and emotion both influence decision making.

Hong Kong protests illustrate the complex social side of human nature. Behavioral economics suggests how strategic calculation and emotion both influence decision making.

Happiness

When Faced with Life’s Challenges, Hit the Reset Button

By Robert Puff Ph.D. on August 18, 2019 in Meditation for Modern Life

With practice, we will be able to reconnect with our innate ability to recover from nearly anything.

With practice, we will be able to reconnect with our innate ability to recover from nearly anything.

Parenting

Facing Empty Nest Syndrome

By Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on August 18, 2019 in Here, There, and Everywhere

You raised your child to be independent, but you may still feel a deep sense of loss when he or she moves away. Learn how to cope with your redefined role as parent and partner.

You raised your child to be independent, but you may still feel a deep sense of loss when he or she moves away. Learn how to cope with your redefined role as parent and partner.

Depression

Are You Perfectly Hiding Your Own Silent Depression?

By Margaret R Rutherford Ph.D. on August 18, 2019 in Perfectly Hidden Depression

Classic depression is real, and very dangerous. But "perfectly hidden depression" is just as real. Here's why giving up looking perfect is worth the risk.

Classic depression is real, and very dangerous. But "perfectly hidden depression" is just as real. Here's why giving up looking perfect is worth the risk.

Fresh starts can be a big boost and get you going, or they can trip you up. There are things you can do to smooth out those new beginnings so you don’t get in your own way.

Aging

Aging in America: Remembering the Importance of Seniority

By Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on August 18, 2019 in The Pathways of Experience

The gift of seniority—to reflect on the meanings of human experience and to express those judgments in steady commitments—is especially important in a society like ours.

The gift of seniority—to reflect on the meanings of human experience and to express those judgments in steady commitments—is especially important in a society like ours.

Parenting

Shame Works to Control Kids…and That’s a Problem.

By Alison Escalante M.D. on August 18, 2019 in Shouldstorm

Shame can be very effective in getting the behavior we want from our kids, but parents don't realize the consequences for the child on the inside. Here's what to do instead.

Shame can be very effective in getting the behavior we want from our kids, but parents don't realize the consequences for the child on the inside. Here's what to do instead.

Race and Ethnicity

Compassion for America in a Time of Violence

By Ravi Chandra M.D., D.F.A.P.A. on August 18, 2019 in The Pacific Heart

Mass shootings occur with alarming regularity. White Nationalist terrorism has motivated several. What underlies this violence? And how can self-compassion and compassion help?

Mass shootings occur with alarming regularity. White Nationalist terrorism has motivated several. What underlies this violence? And how can self-compassion and compassion help?

Self-Help

Why Victims of Sexual Trauma Feel Alone and Isolated

By Lori S Katz Ph.D. on August 18, 2019 in Healing from Sexual Trauma

Do you feel alone even when you're around other people? Do you think you should be able to snap out of it, but you just can't? There could be a logical explanation why.

Do you feel alone even when you're around other people? Do you think you should be able to snap out of it, but you just can't? There could be a logical explanation why.

Are you curious about the effects of food on depressed mood? Recent research findings support that certain nutrients and foods have significant antidepressant effects.

Parenting

How Long Does Parent-Child Estrangement Usually Last?

By Tina Gilbertson LPC, BC-TMH on August 17, 2019 in Constructive Wallowing

There are essentially four factors that influence how long you're estranged from your adult son or daughter. Find out how to make the best of what you can control.

There are essentially four factors that influence how long you're estranged from your adult son or daughter. Find out how to make the best of what you can control.

Anxiety

Scary News Can Be Stressful and Surprisingly Fatiguing

By Alicia H. Clark Psy.D. on August 17, 2019 in Hack Your Anxiety

Is the stress of recent horrible news wearing you down? A few key strategies can help bolster your resilience and reduce compassion fatigue.

Is the stress of recent horrible news wearing you down? A few key strategies can help bolster your resilience and reduce compassion fatigue.

Relationships

Around the World, Marriage Is Declining, Singles Are Rising

By Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on August 17, 2019 in Living Single

All around the world, the number of people staying single has been growing. People who do marry are getting to it later, and then divorcing in greater numbers than in 1990.

All around the world, the number of people staying single has been growing. People who do marry are getting to it later, and then divorcing in greater numbers than in 1990.

What are mental health professionals doing and thinking about the crisis on the southern border?

Evolutionary Psychology

Psychologists Still Don't Know What Effort Is

By Jeremy E Sherman Ph.D., MPP on August 17, 2019 in Ambigamy

The central currency of all the life and social sciences is effort, the work organisms do on their own behalf. Until we can explain it, our models are mere descriptions.

The central currency of all the life and social sciences is effort, the work organisms do on their own behalf. Until we can explain it, our models are mere descriptions.

Evolutionary Psychology

Why Paying-It-Forward Is Good for You and Your Neighbor

By Neil Farber M.D, Ph.D., CLC, CPT on August 17, 2019 in The Blame Game

Everywhere we look people help their neighbors—but sometimes tabs are kept. What is the difference between “lending” a hand and being generous?

Everywhere we look people help their neighbors—but sometimes tabs are kept. What is the difference between “lending” a hand and being generous?

Law and Crime

Are Mass Shootings Becoming More Common?

By Anthony C. Lopez Ph.D. on August 17, 2019 in Evolutionary Politics

Are mass shootings on the rise? Looking at the data is not as simple as it may seem.

Are mass shootings on the rise? Looking at the data is not as simple as it may seem.

Luce, the movie, appears to be about black exceptionalism and race. It's also—perhaps more critically—about adoption.

Relationships

4 Ways to Help Your Partner Cope with Stress

By Elizabeth Dorrance Hall Ph.D. on August 17, 2019 in Conscious Communication

Do you want to help your partner cope better with stress in their lives? Learn how to engage in dyadic coping to improve your relationship and lower stress.

Do you want to help your partner cope better with stress in their lives? Learn how to engage in dyadic coping to improve your relationship and lower stress.

Happiness

What Is Your Life Purpose?

By Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on August 17, 2019 in Fixing Families

Having a sense of purpose is one of the essentials to having a good life, yet many of us struggle knowing what that may be. Questions to help you begin finding your answer.

Having a sense of purpose is one of the essentials to having a good life, yet many of us struggle knowing what that may be. Questions to help you begin finding your answer.

Relationships

Can You Spot a Manipulator? When Clothing Is a Costume

By Wendy L. Patrick, Ph.D. on August 17, 2019 in Why Bad Looks Good

Can you gauge someone's credibility just by looking? Consider how easily anyone can dress the part.

Can you gauge someone's credibility just by looking? Consider how easily anyone can dress the part.

A criminal often views himself as a law unto himself—a totally special individual.

Depression

What To Do If You Are Depressed: Identity and Shadow Work

By Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on August 17, 2019 in Theory of Knowledge

In this final entry, we tackle some of the deeper issues of identity and shadow work and outline principles for a mindful philosophy of living that can foster growth-to-goodness.

In this final entry, we tackle some of the deeper issues of identity and shadow work and outline principles for a mindful philosophy of living that can foster growth-to-goodness.

Health

Conflicts of Interest and Trust in Physicians

By Sara Gorman, Ph.D., MPH, and Jack M. Gorman, MD on August 17, 2019 in Denying to the Grave

What effect do physician disclosures of conflict of interest actually have on patients' trust in their doctors? So far, it seems very little.

What effect do physician disclosures of conflict of interest actually have on patients' trust in their doctors? So far, it seems very little.

Child Development

Foster Kids: Lies and Truth

By Blake Griffin Edwards LMFT on August 17, 2019 in Progress Notes

With so much focus on posttraumatic stress driving problems faced by foster kids and teens, we easily miss innumerable signs of posttraumatic resilience, strength, and growth.

With so much focus on posttraumatic stress driving problems faced by foster kids and teens, we easily miss innumerable signs of posttraumatic resilience, strength, and growth.

Memory

Why Do Hallucinations Occur In Dementia?

By Andrew E. Budson M.D. on August 17, 2019 in Managing Your Memory

Hallucinations, illusions, and false memories can all occur in dementia. Here’s how to tell them apart.

Hallucinations, illusions, and false memories can all occur in dementia. Here’s how to tell them apart.