Roots and Resilience

Relationships

How To Stop Arguments From Spiraling

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on July 6, 2026

The healthiest couples don't avoid conflict. They know how to stop it from spiraling. One simple skill can make all the difference.

The healthiest couples don't avoid conflict. They know how to stop it from spiraling. One simple skill can make all the difference.

Relationships

The Hidden Weight of Missed Bids for Connection

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on May 20, 2026

The concept of "bids for connection," pioneered by John Gottman, transformed our understanding of relationships. But his work leaves one element underdeveloped: the impact of early adversity on the experience of bids.

The concept of "bids for connection," pioneered by John Gottman, transformed our understanding of relationships. But his work leaves one element underdeveloped: the impact of early adversity on the experience of bids.

Stress

Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers—and Why We Do

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on December 20, 2025

Our stress response system evolved to protect us from real danger. When daily stressors keep the system switched on, it begins to harm our bodies, minds, and relationships.

Our stress response system evolved to protect us from real danger. When daily stressors keep the system switched on, it begins to harm our bodies, minds, and relationships.

Social Life

The Most Overlooked Predictor of a Long and Healthy Life

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on November 18, 2025

The secret to a long and healthy life isn't sold by the wellness industry. It's social connectedness, and it's free, and it's vital to our physical and psychological well-being.

The secret to a long and healthy life isn't sold by the wellness industry. It's social connectedness, and it's free, and it's vital to our physical and psychological well-being.

Stress

Is Thinking Too Much Stressing You Out?

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on October 4, 2025

Rumination fuels stress and suffering. Here's a simple 3-step method for stepping away from overthinking and lowering our stress.

Rumination fuels stress and suffering. Here's a simple 3-step method for stepping away from overthinking and lowering our stress.

Attention

The Power of Presence: The Heart of Healing and Connection

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 1, 2025

Presence—the experience of giving full, caring attention—is the foundation of healing and deep connection. Here’s why it matters and how to practice it in daily life.

Presence—the experience of giving full, caring attention—is the foundation of healing and deep connection. Here’s why it matters and how to practice it in daily life.

Self-Esteem

No Enemies Within: Healing Our Inner Critic

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on July 5, 2025

Inner critics are usually protective parts that evolved to help us cope with overwhelming distress. They can be transformed with understanding and self-compassion.

Inner critics are usually protective parts that evolved to help us cope with overwhelming distress. They can be transformed with understanding and self-compassion.

Growth Mindset

Forget the 10,000 Hours—Here’s What Really Leads to Mastery

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on June 6, 2025

Years of experience don’t guarantee expertise. Discover why effort alone isn’t enough—and how a smarter, focused approach can finally take your skills to the next level.

Years of experience don’t guarantee expertise. Discover why effort alone isn’t enough—and how a smarter, focused approach can finally take your skills to the next level.

Stress

A Powerful Way to Quickly Lower Anxiety and Stress

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on May 29, 2025

Bringing our attention to our breathing while lengthening the exhale shifts our brain and body out of "fight, flight, or freeze" mode and into a state of greater calm.

Bringing our attention to our breathing while lengthening the exhale shifts our brain and body out of "fight, flight, or freeze" mode and into a state of greater calm.

Trauma

Is Torture Effective? It Depends on What You Mean

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on May 12, 2025

Research strongly suggests that torture is ineffective at obtaining reliable information. However, it's highly effective in spreading terror, causing trauma, and silencing dissent.

Research strongly suggests that torture is ineffective at obtaining reliable information. However, it's highly effective in spreading terror, causing trauma, and silencing dissent.

Trauma

How Can We Help Survivors of Natural and Man-Made Disasters?

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on May 9, 2025

Most survivors of disasters will recover with good social support and material assistance. For others, however, the effects can be painfully persistent.

Most survivors of disasters will recover with good social support and material assistance. For others, however, the effects can be painfully persistent.

Trauma

The Promise of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Healing Trauma

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 30, 2024

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD and complex trauma. Why did the FDA reject it?

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for PTSD and complex trauma. Why did the FDA reject it?

Therapy

Healing Trauma: An Intro to "Parts" Therapy

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 21, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Internal Family Systems (IFS) or "parts" therapy can heal old wounds and break unhelpful patterns that get in our way.

A Personal Perspective: Internal Family Systems (IFS) or "parts" therapy can heal old wounds and break unhelpful patterns that get in our way.

Therapy

Healing Trauma with IFS or "Parts" Therapy (Part Two)

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 18, 2024

Internal Family Systems (IFS) or "parts" therapy is a powerful and easily learned method of healing old wounds and breaking unhelpful patterns that get in our way.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) or "parts" therapy is a powerful and easily learned method of healing old wounds and breaking unhelpful patterns that get in our way.

Stress

Why Parents' Mental Health Matters So Much to Their Children

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on December 4, 2023

In these hectic times, it’s easy for parents to get so busy that they forget to take care of their own emotional well-being. That can be a big problem for children.

In these hectic times, it’s easy for parents to get so busy that they forget to take care of their own emotional well-being. That can be a big problem for children.

Trauma

War, Toxic Stress, and the Mental Health of Children

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on November 23, 2023

The concept of "toxic stress" can help us understand the powerful toll that war takes on the physical and mental health of children.

The concept of "toxic stress" can help us understand the powerful toll that war takes on the physical and mental health of children.

Trauma

Childhood Destroyed: Children in the Israel-Hamas War

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

Children on both sides of the war have paid a terrible price. But their experience differs.

Children on both sides of the war have paid a terrible price. But their experience differs.

Trauma

5 Lessons for Supporting the Mental Health of Refugees

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on October 10, 2023

Want to support the mental health of refugees? Here are five essential lessons we've learned from 25 years of research and practice.

Want to support the mental health of refugees? Here are five essential lessons we've learned from 25 years of research and practice.

Therapy

5 Things That Make a Therapist Effective

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 13, 2023

Being a psychotherapist or counselor can be extremely rewarding. Research can help you decide if this is a good career for you and what to look for in a graduate program.

Being a psychotherapist or counselor can be extremely rewarding. Research can help you decide if this is a good career for you and what to look for in a graduate program.

Gratitude

What a 30 Foot Climbing Fall Taught Me About Gratitude

Kenneth E. Miller Ph.D. on September 23, 2022

A 30 foot climbing fall taught me what researchers have discovered about gratitude: it can be a powerful antidote to despair, and can foster a greater sense of wellbeing.

A 30 foot climbing fall taught me what researchers have discovered about gratitude: it can be a powerful antidote to despair, and can foster a greater sense of wellbeing.