Longing for Nostalgia

I've got that old feeling.

Krystine I. Batcho Ph.D.

Are You Afraid of Being Loved?

In a world of social distancing and mistrust, is being loved still worth it?

Are You Hungry for Touch in a Touch-Free World?

In a world of social distance and uncertainty, are we becoming touch deprived?

Research Is Shedding New Light on Hearing Voices

Is the stigma associated with hearing voices warranted?

Is There Really True Love?

Is the idea of a true love that lasts forever an outdated concept?

Why Should We Grieve the Death of a Wild Animal?

It’s natural to mourn the death of a loved one or a beloved pet. But what would it mean to grieve the death of an animal we come upon in the wild?

In the Midst of Hate, Why Not Love?

How did the "summer of love" appear out of a backdrop of war and discontent?

Why Shaming Doesn't Work

Many people consider shaming an acceptable way of changing behavior. Is shaming effective? Research reveals that shame is a complex emotion.

Are Your Conversations Becoming More Difficult?

Is winning an argument worth losing a friend or ruining a relationship? More productive conversations preserve and enrich relationships.

When Your Heart is Breaking

When you lose someone you love, it can feel like your heart is breaking. Attending to emotional suffering is as important as taking care of physical pain.

Beyond Hate: Healing in the Aftermath of Violence

Defeating hate is one of the most pressing issues of our time. How can we move beyond the impact of hate-filled violence?

Keep the "Child" in Childhood

If we keep chipping away at childhood, how will future generations deal with a world transformed by digital reality and robotic versions of ourselves?

Smoothie, Anyone? Or Maybe a Psychic Cleanse?

Are you letting old fears, resentments, and ways of thinking deprive you of happiness? You can replace such obstacles to growth with healthy options.

Do You Know A Hypocrite?

You might be quick to identify hypocrisy in others, but are you as aware of your own inconsistencies?

12 Things You Missed While You Were on Your Smartphone

Are you stalled in a digital time warp instead of being there for your loved ones?

Homesickness: A Sign of Weakness or Strength?

Once considered beneficial, attachment to home is now viewed as dysfunctional. Is love of home a disorder? Or is it a foundation for healthy relationships?

Missing the Present Before It's Gone

As you contemplate how time will erase some of the present, do you feel the sadness of losing what you love or do you feel a richer appreciation for what you still have?

What Do Your Secret Playlists Reveal About You?

Do your secret playlists bring you the pleasure of private enjoyment or hide aspects of yourself you'd rather not share?

Are You Afraid to Be Happy?

Happiness can be elusive, especially for those who fear it.

Faded Glory: What Can We Learn From the Formerly Famous?

Celebrities are exceptional individuals. Can we learn from how they cope when their glory fades?

Conflict and Peace: Lessons from Childhood

Children squabble, but adults do battle. Can we learn anything about conflict and peace from childhood?

Looking to Our Past: Escapism or Exploration?

The past is gone, cannot be changed, and cannot return. Is revisiting it in memory a reluctance to live in the present?

Should We Beware of Sad Songs?

People expect that sad music will make them feel better by providing catharsis, the opportunity to work through sadness, or the knowledge that other people have also had similar feelings. But does it?

Too Much Tragedy Making You “Heartworn”—Weary of Compassion?

Sad and tragic headlines assault us daily. How do we keep our compassion safe from fatigue?

What Will Your Children Remember About You?

Raising a child can be daunting. In the midst of the hectic effort to meet all our children’s needs, we might wonder what will make the most important difference in their lives. What will they remember best about their childhood experiences with us?

Tired of Being Judged? Try This.

We are being bombarded with implicit and explicit judgments in our professional and personal lives. Does constant evaluation take a toll on our psychological well-being?

6 Ways That Tonight's Dreams Could Change Your Life

Can we benefit from thinking about our dreams? Will attending to our dreams waste our time or, even worse, mislead us into inferences of false meaning?