Mental Health Reimagined

Raising challenging kids in challenging times

Autism
The Myth That Behavioral Approaches Fail Neurodivergent Kids

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on October 11, 2026

Parents are told behavioral approaches don't work for neurodivergent kids. Rigorous trials, including with autistic kids who avoid or refuse everyday demands, show otherwise.

Parents are told behavioral approaches don't work for neurodivergent kids. Rigorous trials, including with autistic kids who avoid or refuse everyday demands, show otherwise.

Groupthink
The Dark Side of Parent Support Groups

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on August 30, 2026

Well-meaning parent groups often silence clinicians and reward conformity, leaving misinformation—and those who profit from it—unchecked.

Well-meaning parent groups often silence clinicians and reward conformity, leaving misinformation—and those who profit from it—unchecked.

Parenting
“Modern” Parenting, Broken Kids?

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on June 7, 2026

What if many childhood mental health challenges are predictable responses to the changes in modern family life? Here's what ancient parenting practices can teach us.

What if many childhood mental health challenges are predictable responses to the changes in modern family life? Here's what ancient parenting practices can teach us.

Anxiety
It’s Time to Rethink the “Anxiety Drives PDA” Narrative

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on April 12, 2026

We know PDA and anxiety travel together—just as they do in ADHD and ODD—but what if anxiety is the exhaust, not the engine, of chronic interpersonal and demand conflict?

We know PDA and anxiety travel together—just as they do in ADHD and ODD—but what if anxiety is the exhaust, not the engine, of chronic interpersonal and demand conflict?

Autism
Has Broadening the Autism Spectrum Led to Overdiagnosis?

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on March 15, 2026

An autism expert sparks fierce debate over whether the spectrum has grown too broad, leading to misdiagnosis in children and adults in cases that are milder or unclear.

An autism expert sparks fierce debate over whether the spectrum has grown too broad, leading to misdiagnosis in children and adults in cases that are milder or unclear.

Placebo
Hope Heals? Why Unproven Treatments Seem to 'Work' for Kids

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on December 15, 2025

Supplements, pseudoscience, and inert treatments abound on social media. Here's why some parents come to believe fake fixes work even when the science tells us they probably don't.

Supplements, pseudoscience, and inert treatments abound on social media. Here's why some parents come to believe fake fixes work even when the science tells us they probably don't.

Adolescence
It’s Time to Bring Back Parental Authority

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on December 1, 2025

One of the effects of a child's mental condition can be the gradual erosion of parental authority, putting kids in charge, not their parents. Here's why that needs to change.

One of the effects of a child's mental condition can be the gradual erosion of parental authority, putting kids in charge, not their parents. Here's why that needs to change.

Autism
Rethinking Pathological Demand Avoidance

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on September 11, 2025

Is pathological demand avoidance (PDA) an unrecognized diagnosis or plain old oppositional behavior? Science urges evidence-based treatment, not social media presumptions.

Is pathological demand avoidance (PDA) an unrecognized diagnosis or plain old oppositional behavior? Science urges evidence-based treatment, not social media presumptions.

Masking
Unmasking “Masking” in Kids

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on July 18, 2025

Neurodivergent kids may act out at home but not at school. The "masking" argument is often used to explain this, but the evidence doesn't support it, and the message hurts kids.

Neurodivergent kids may act out at home but not at school. The "masking" argument is often used to explain this, but the evidence doesn't support it, and the message hurts kids.

Parenting
The Myth of Neurobiological Incompetence

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on July 7, 2025

Don’t underestimate your child's potential: Ditch the “brain disorder” social media narrative (PDA anyone?) and embrace high expectations with support to help kids thrive.

Don’t underestimate your child's potential: Ditch the “brain disorder” social media narrative (PDA anyone?) and embrace high expectations with support to help kids thrive.

Anxiety
Treating Anxiety-Based School Refusal

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on May 30, 2025

More kids are missing school due to anxiety and depression. Learn what parents and therapists can do to get kids not just back to school, but back to a life of meaning and purpose.

More kids are missing school due to anxiety and depression. Learn what parents and therapists can do to get kids not just back to school, but back to a life of meaning and purpose.

Child Development
Reversing the Childhood Mental Health Epidemic

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on February 24, 2025

Screen time likely plays a role in the childhood mental health epidemic. Parents can protect their children by taking steps to safely limit screen time and mitigate its effects.

Screen time likely plays a role in the childhood mental health epidemic. Parents can protect their children by taking steps to safely limit screen time and mitigate its effects.

Temporarily removing screen privileges and only returning them after the child or teen has engaged in positive behaviors a while is far more effective than punishment.
Punishment
“Consequences Don’t Work With My Kid!”

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on January 26, 2025

Parents of oppositional kids often say that consequences don't work. Most of the time, they're referring to punishment. Briefly pausing screens until earned back works far better.

Parents of oppositional kids often say that consequences don't work. Most of the time, they're referring to punishment. Briefly pausing screens until earned back works far better.

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Magazine
September 2026 magazine cover
September 2026
The Power of Enough

We’re all holding onto something we’re sure we can’t give up on, but research shows that letting go can boost our happiness a lot more than we might think.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes