Decade of Childhood

Therapy

Please Don't Give Me a Gift for the Holidays

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on December 16, 2025

Giving your therapist a gift may seem like a nice gesture, and it often is. Still, as there may be underlying reasons for the gift, it puts the therapist in an awkward position.

Giving your therapist a gift may seem like a nice gesture, and it often is. Still, as there may be underlying reasons for the gift, it puts the therapist in an awkward position.

Relationships

6 Ways to Reset a Relationship

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on December 4, 2025

5. The power of touch.

5. The power of touch.

Artificial Intelligence

What Is the Opposite of AI?

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on December 2, 2025

As we rely more and more on AI, it is worth considering what is lost in the process. I argue that the intellectual journey can be as meaningful as the result.

As we rely more and more on AI, it is worth considering what is lost in the process. I argue that the intellectual journey can be as meaningful as the result.

Caregiving

The Quiet Strength of Dementia Care Partners

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on November 10, 2025

Caregivers of those with dementia or other degenerative diseases are often amazing individuals. Yet they, too, need support and not to stay silent about their burdens.

Caregivers of those with dementia or other degenerative diseases are often amazing individuals. Yet they, too, need support and not to stay silent about their burdens.

Child Development

Understanding the Calamities of Childhood

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on November 4, 2025

Many psychoanalysts believe that there exists a series of "calamities of childhood" that must be overcome, or adults must deal with remnants of these conflicts.

Many psychoanalysts believe that there exists a series of "calamities of childhood" that must be overcome, or adults must deal with remnants of these conflicts.

Decision-Making

Could You Have Delayed Life Syndrome?

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on October 30, 2025

Those with Delayed Life Syndrome may be stuck in an unsatisfying present in the hope of achieving a better life one day, although that day often will not come without change.

Those with Delayed Life Syndrome may be stuck in an unsatisfying present in the hope of achieving a better life one day, although that day often will not come without change.

Happiness

How to Start Being Kinder to Yourself

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on September 23, 2025

5. See the joy.

5. See the joy.

Parenting

Why I Tell My Kids to Be Bold

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on August 12, 2025

As a psychologist and parent, I encourage others to be bold, just as I endeavor to be bold myself. Facing our fears can help us to embrace all that life has to offer.

As a psychologist and parent, I encourage others to be bold, just as I endeavor to be bold myself. Facing our fears can help us to embrace all that life has to offer.

Marriage

5 Reasons Why the Best Marriages Succeed

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on August 11, 2025

They're realistic—and willing to argue.

They're realistic—and willing to argue.

Anxiety

Do You Have Free-Floating Anxiety?

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on April 28, 2025

The "true" source of anxiety can sometimes be elusive, although there is no shortage of possibilities. Instead of searching for the source, work to accept anxiety and cope with it.

The "true" source of anxiety can sometimes be elusive, although there is no shortage of possibilities. Instead of searching for the source, work to accept anxiety and cope with it.

Social Media

A Curious Study on Social Media

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on April 24, 2025

Yes, social media may negatively impact you, whether you admit it or not. A study shows teenagers see a huge discrepancy between how social media impacts them versus others.

Yes, social media may negatively impact you, whether you admit it or not. A study shows teenagers see a huge discrepancy between how social media impacts them versus others.

Resilience

The Gift of Suffering

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on March 24, 2025

No one wants to suffer, yet we all must as a part of the human condition. Oftentimes, the very suffering we wish to avoid ends up providing us with gifts that we could never imagine.

No one wants to suffer, yet we all must as a part of the human condition. Oftentimes, the very suffering we wish to avoid ends up providing us with gifts that we could never imagine.

Career

Want More Career Confidence?

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on February 4, 2025

If you want more career confidence, you may need to look beyond your career. The concept of flourishing outside of work may help you thrive within it as well.

If you want more career confidence, you may need to look beyond your career. The concept of flourishing outside of work may help you thrive within it as well.

Play

How to Have the Perfect Snow Day

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on January 9, 2025

Perhaps you have fond memories of snow days as a child. How you choose to spend one today can help to make it more memorable and more beneficial for your mental health.

Perhaps you have fond memories of snow days as a child. How you choose to spend one today can help to make it more memorable and more beneficial for your mental health.

Stress

Gift Yourself Inner Health for the Holidays

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on December 24, 2024

Whether you find the holidays stressful, joyous, or both, it is important to be mindful about taking care of yourself. Remembering Dickens' words can help, even today.

Whether you find the holidays stressful, joyous, or both, it is important to be mindful about taking care of yourself. Remembering Dickens' words can help, even today.

Creativity

What Creative People Do Differently

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on December 19, 2024

If you have ever dreamed of being more creative but do not think you have it in you, think again.

If you have ever dreamed of being more creative but do not think you have it in you, think again.

Stress

A Better Way to Stay Healthy This Winter

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on December 12, 2024

If you tend to get colds during the winter, you may want to check your outlook. While it won't guarantee you stay healthy, the right attitude could make a difference.

If you tend to get colds during the winter, you may want to check your outlook. While it won't guarantee you stay healthy, the right attitude could make a difference.

Family Dynamics

A Quick Guide for Grandparenting

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on September 9, 2024

Being a parent is difficult, but the role is fairly clear. Being a grandparent is anything but clear. It is both wonderful and stressful. Asking the right questions can help.

Being a parent is difficult, but the role is fairly clear. Being a grandparent is anything but clear. It is both wonderful and stressful. Asking the right questions can help.

Education

Make "Back to School” Better with What Homeschoolers Do

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on August 27, 2024

Back to school is an important moment in the United States, along with the excitement and anxiety it brings. The pandemic taught us it doesn't have to be done the same old way.

Back to school is an important moment in the United States, along with the excitement and anxiety it brings. The pandemic taught us it doesn't have to be done the same old way.

Sport and Competition

3 Important Differences Between You and an Olympian

Kurt W Ela Psy.D. on July 26, 2024

While most of us will never compete for a medal, we can learn a lot from the individuals who push themselves to the highest of standards physically and mentally.

While most of us will never compete for a medal, we can learn a lot from the individuals who push themselves to the highest of standards physically and mentally.