Resolution, Not Conflict

Marriage

When Is Divorce a Solution to Marriage Problems?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on November 9, 2025

Just like sports and games have boundaries and rules, so does marriage. Violate the rules and play stops. Keep violating marriage rules, and your spouse may say goodbye.

Just like sports and games have boundaries and rules, so does marriage. Violate the rules and play stops. Keep violating marriage rules, and your spouse may say goodbye.

Friends

When Teen Friend Groups Turn Mean

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on December 17, 2024

A Personal Perspective: One teen's experience of being exiled from an unkind, gossipy clique offers insights into why some friend groups turn mean.

A Personal Perspective: One teen's experience of being exiled from an unkind, gossipy clique offers insights into why some friend groups turn mean.

Relationships

5 Essentials for Close Relationships—and for a Reunified U.S.

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on March 4, 2024

Specific attitudes predict success in friendships, couples, and families. The same attitudes, if utilized by leaders, can build strong cities and countries.

Specific attitudes predict success in friendships, couples, and families. The same attitudes, if utilized by leaders, can build strong cities and countries.

Relationships

Can Relationships Improve When Just One Partner Gets Help?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

Marriage is a high-skills activity. Without the skills, people get hurt. But what if only one partner is willing to seek help?

Marriage is a high-skills activity. Without the skills, people get hurt. But what if only one partner is willing to seek help?

Ketamine

Ketamine Treatment for Depression: Worth a Try?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on July 26, 2022

An interview with former CNN medical correspondent Jeff Levine helps answer if ketamine really conquers depression.

An interview with former CNN medical correspondent Jeff Levine helps answer if ketamine really conquers depression.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Long-Standing PTSD: Two Treatments May Renew Hope

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on June 30, 2022

Psychotherapy for PTSD tends to be lengthy and only somewhat effective. Upcoming neuropsychological treatments may offer survivors new hope.

Psychotherapy for PTSD tends to be lengthy and only somewhat effective. Upcoming neuropsychological treatments may offer survivors new hope.

Relationships

What Sport Does Collaborative Dialogue Mimic?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on June 27, 2022

Cluelessness about the skills that sustain cooperative dialogue puts people at risk for difficulties in their relationships—in friendships, at work, and at home.

Cluelessness about the skills that sustain cooperative dialogue puts people at risk for difficulties in their relationships—in friendships, at work, and at home.

Deception

"I Didn’t Do It!” Denial, Lying, or Anosognosia?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on June 24, 2022

Do you know someone who has trouble admitting when they have made mistakes? Or acknowledging hostile behavior, such as speaking in an irritated tone and even outright anger? This may be why.

Do you know someone who has trouble admitting when they have made mistakes? Or acknowledging hostile behavior, such as speaking in an irritated tone and even outright anger? This may be why.

Anger

What Do Psychotherapists Actually Do?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on March 22, 2022

What exactly do therapists do that enables their clients to feel better? Here are some of my favorite therapy techniques.

What exactly do therapists do that enables their clients to feel better? Here are some of my favorite therapy techniques.

Anxiety

4 Habits of Chronic Worriers and 1 Surprising Solution

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on March 1, 2022

"Don't worry. Be happy," Bobby McFerrin famously sang. Here's how.

"Don't worry. Be happy," Bobby McFerrin famously sang. Here's how.

Anger

Needless Angers: Can They Be Eliminated?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on January 24, 2022

Whether it's low-level irritation or high-intensity rage, speaking or acting in anger can poison relationships. Fortunately, this simple system can end needless anger.

Whether it's low-level irritation or high-intensity rage, speaking or acting in anger can poison relationships. Fortunately, this simple system can end needless anger.

Narcissism

How Do I Stop Being a Narcissist?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on December 27, 2021

As one narcissistic fellow said, "I feel like I'm a knight on a giant white steed while others are just tiny beings below my feet... Still, if I knew better, I'd do better."

As one narcissistic fellow said, "I feel like I'm a knight on a giant white steed while others are just tiny beings below my feet... Still, if I knew better, I'd do better."

Domestic Violence

7 Kinds of Domestic Abuse, Including One That's Post-Divorce

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on November 23, 2021

Ignorance about forms of abuse can block a partner from taking effective action to protect themselves, and their children, from harm.

Ignorance about forms of abuse can block a partner from taking effective action to protect themselves, and their children, from harm.

Chronic Pain

Can Therapy Help Reduce Back Pain?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on October 24, 2021

Suffering from back pain? New research comparing a problem-specific version of CBT talk therapy with conventional back pain treatment yielded dramatic outcomes.

Suffering from back pain? New research comparing a problem-specific version of CBT talk therapy with conventional back pain treatment yielded dramatic outcomes.

Anger

What Stops Arguments? Emotional Self-Regulation Skills

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on September 29, 2021

Five emotional-self-regulation techniques that can help put an end to arguing.

Five emotional-self-regulation techniques that can help put an end to arguing.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Our COVID-19 Pandemic Strategy-Makers May Need a CBT Upgrade

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on August 20, 2021

Faulty thinking by decision-makers may be preventing better results in fighting the pandemic.

Faulty thinking by decision-makers may be preventing better results in fighting the pandemic.

Placebo

A Surprising Discovery: How Placebos Can Help Relieve Pain

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on July 22, 2021

What does recent research suggest about how chronic pain sufferers can use placebos (fake pills) to reduce real pain? Might this psychological technique reduce opioid use as well?

What does recent research suggest about how chronic pain sufferers can use placebos (fake pills) to reduce real pain? Might this psychological technique reduce opioid use as well?

Anxiety

How High School Students Can Feel Less Stressed

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on May 20, 2021

Anxiety is rising to epidemic levels among teens. These strategies can help.

Anxiety is rising to epidemic levels among teens. These strategies can help.

Chronic Pain

Can Psychology Cure Chronic Pain?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on May 5, 2021

New psychological tools are offering relief from long-term suffering from chronic pain.

New psychological tools are offering relief from long-term suffering from chronic pain.

Parental Alienation

What Leads Alienated Parents to Give Up on Their Children?

Susan Heitler Ph.D. on April 26, 2021

What common misunderstandings about alienation can hinder parents in the struggle to reconnect with an alienated child?

What common misunderstandings about alienation can hinder parents in the struggle to reconnect with an alienated child?