Do the Right Thing

Media

Is Freedom of Speech Dead on College Campuses?

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on June 6, 2022

Civility may help.

Civility may help.

Stress

Are Adult Public Outbursts Here to Stay?

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on January 20, 2022

Adults acting out in public is more common now with so many stressors in our lives. Yet, psychological science and basic interventions can help manage these events.

Adults acting out in public is more common now with so many stressors in our lives. Yet, psychological science and basic interventions can help manage these events.

Therapy

My Most Important Insight as a Psychotherapist After 40 Years

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on December 1, 2020

The insight that everyone, even with faults, are sacred and should be treated as such with respect, dignity, and reverence is the fundamental insight that organizes and centers me.

The insight that everyone, even with faults, are sacred and should be treated as such with respect, dignity, and reverence is the fundamental insight that organizes and centers me.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Big Mask Face-Off: What Does the COVID Mask Mean to You?

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on July 20, 2020

Focusing on evidence based public health guidelines from reliable sources can be the difference between life and death. We should avoid letting politics get in the way.

Focusing on evidence based public health guidelines from reliable sources can be the difference between life and death. We should avoid letting politics get in the way.

A nice social media post might be a start but it is not sufficient to improve our fractured world and community. True solidarity goes well beyond virtue signaling.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

3 Critical Lessons Learned (So Far) from COVID-19

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on May 1, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic can help us all learn critically important lessons for a more humane, compassionate, and sustainable world of solidarity and kinship.

The COVID-19 pandemic can help us all learn critically important lessons for a more humane, compassionate, and sustainable world of solidarity and kinship.

Sexual Abuse

Keeping Children Safe in the Catholic Church

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on April 9, 2020

Keeping children safe in the Catholic Church relies on good data.

Keeping children safe in the Catholic Church relies on good data.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The COVID-19 Pandemic Is a Lesson in Social Contagion, Too

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on April 1, 2020

Social contagion theory can help us to bring out the better angels of our nature.

Social contagion theory can help us to bring out the better angels of our nature.

Education

Top 10 Tips for Good Zoom Hygiene and Etiquette in Education

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on March 20, 2020

Educators are scrambling to transition their classes to online instruction during the pandemic. These etiquette tips may help.

Educators are scrambling to transition their classes to online instruction during the pandemic. These etiquette tips may help.

Psychology

Psychology Helps Us Better Predict Crisis Behavior

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on March 18, 2020

Psychology can help the management of the pandemic in thoughtful and predictable ways to nurture the "better angels of our nature."

Psychology can help the management of the pandemic in thoughtful and predictable ways to nurture the "better angels of our nature."

Fear

The Coronavirus Crisis Is Fueled by Stress and Fear

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on March 7, 2020

Hysteria in a population can emerge and be fueled easily when fear is in the air to begin with.

Hysteria in a population can emerge and be fueled easily when fear is in the air to begin with.

Guilt

Manage Guilt Better and Smarter

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on March 3, 2020

Rather than working to eliminate guilt, try to separate productive from unproductive guilt and channel the productive guilt in a positive direction.

Rather than working to eliminate guilt, try to separate productive from unproductive guilt and channel the productive guilt in a positive direction.

Anxiety

Anxiety and Panic Treatment: Rely On Science, Not Placebos

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on February 3, 2020

Quality, evidence-based treatment for anxiety and panic are available from mental health professionals. So, why settle for placebos?

Quality, evidence-based treatment for anxiety and panic are available from mental health professionals. So, why settle for placebos?

Guilt

If You Want Behavior Change, Don’t Make This Classic Mistake

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on January 1, 2020

Reactance theory and observational learning theory can be used to your advantage to avoid one of the more simple but common errors people make when it comes to behavior change.

Reactance theory and observational learning theory can be used to your advantage to avoid one of the more simple but common errors people make when it comes to behavior change.

Ethics and Morality

Today Is Giving Tuesday: 6 Reasons Why You Benefit

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on December 3, 2019

Today is Giving Tuesday, and research shows that giving provides many benefits.

Today is Giving Tuesday, and research shows that giving provides many benefits.

Health

Diagnosing Public Figures is Risky ...And Very Controversial

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on December 2, 2019

Should mental health professions offer to diagnosis public figures and celebrities?

Should mental health professions offer to diagnosis public figures and celebrities?

Ethics and Morality

Are the Boy Scouts Still Relevant and Worthwhile Today?

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on November 1, 2019

Scouting has had a lot of bad press of late. Should youth and families still consider scouting?

Scouting has had a lot of bad press of late. Should youth and families still consider scouting?

Spirituality

Three Key Things Everybody Can Do to Make the World Better

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on October 3, 2019

Regardless of who you are and what talents you have to offer, you can do three simple and straightforward things to make the world better than it is today. Are you in?

Regardless of who you are and what talents you have to offer, you can do three simple and straightforward things to make the world better than it is today. Are you in?

Sex

Top Tips for Reading Accused Clerical Sex Offenders Lists

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on September 5, 2019

Asking thoughtful questions when reading clerical abuse reports will better help everyone act in ways that keep the Church and community safe for children and families.

Asking thoughtful questions when reading clerical abuse reports will better help everyone act in ways that keep the Church and community safe for children and families.

Health

Mass Shootings Are a Solvable Problem

Thomas G. Plante Ph.D., ABPP on August 12, 2019

We must rely on quality data, best practices, and the wisdom of public health and behavior research.

We must rely on quality data, best practices, and the wisdom of public health and behavior research.