Shrink Mindset

Parenting

Advice for Kids: "Don't Do Your Best, Just Do What You Can"

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on March 24, 2026

“Do your best” sounds encouraging, but often leaves kids (and adults) feeling overwhelmed.

“Do your best” sounds encouraging, but often leaves kids (and adults) feeling overwhelmed.

Therapy

The Therapy Hack That Might Save You Time and Money

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on November 11, 2025

Personal Perspective: What if one question could speed up your therapy—and reveal the blind spots holding you back? Discover the simple phrase that could change everything.

Personal Perspective: What if one question could speed up your therapy—and reveal the blind spots holding you back? Discover the simple phrase that could change everything.

Imposter Syndrome

Impostor Syndrome: Can You Really Fake Your Way to Success?

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on May 22, 2025

Your self-doubt isn’t proof that you’re a fraud. It may be proof that you’re legit.

Your self-doubt isn’t proof that you’re a fraud. It may be proof that you’re legit.

Emotional Abuse

What Is Symbolic Abuse and How Can Parents Avoid It?

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on May 16, 2025

Some wounds leave no bruises. Discover how everyday parenting choices can carry powerful symbolic messages that shape a child’s self-worth for life.

Some wounds leave no bruises. Discover how everyday parenting choices can carry powerful symbolic messages that shape a child’s self-worth for life.

Media

The New "Snow White" Is Really a Movie About Us

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on May 9, 2025

Opinion: Disney’s Snow White isn’t just a flawed remake—it’s a revealing mirror of our cultural confusion and fear. What does it say about us? Maybe more than we’d like to admit.

Opinion: Disney’s Snow White isn’t just a flawed remake—it’s a revealing mirror of our cultural confusion and fear. What does it say about us? Maybe more than we’d like to admit.

Therapy

Can’t Solve a Problem? Try “Rubber Ducking”

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on May 8, 2025

Stuck on a problem? Discover why engineers talk to rubber ducks and how the same trick can help you solve emotional and life challenges.

Stuck on a problem? Discover why engineers talk to rubber ducks and how the same trick can help you solve emotional and life challenges.

Perfectionism

The Cult of Achievement

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on April 29, 2025

Many of us are unknowingly trapped in a Cult of Achievement, and it's costing us our peace, happiness, and sense of self-worth.

Many of us are unknowingly trapped in a Cult of Achievement, and it's costing us our peace, happiness, and sense of self-worth.

Marriage

Should Couples Allow Children at Their Weddings?

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on April 1, 2025

It sends a message to kids, and about a couple.

It sends a message to kids, and about a couple.

Ethics and Morality

When Ethics Hurt: How Rigid Rules Are Failing the Vulnerable

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on March 25, 2025

Personal Perspective: What if the rules designed to protect vulnerable people are actually harming them?

Personal Perspective: What if the rules designed to protect vulnerable people are actually harming them?

Leadership

Are Managers Really 'Leaders'?

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on March 18, 2025

True leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about risk, accountability, and sacrifice. But do we always need leaders, or is leadership sometimes overrated?

True leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about risk, accountability, and sacrifice. But do we always need leaders, or is leadership sometimes overrated?

Education

Challenging the "Good College" Myth

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on March 12, 2025

Could a "good college" actually harm your child’s well-being? Discover the hidden toll of elite admissions pressure.

Could a "good college" actually harm your child’s well-being? Discover the hidden toll of elite admissions pressure.

Online Therapy

Traveling This Holiday Season? Your Therapist May Be Unavailable

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on December 22, 2024

Therapists are often prohibited from offering telehealth services to travelers during the holidays.

Therapists are often prohibited from offering telehealth services to travelers during the holidays.

Cognitive Dissonance

Hurricane Relief and the Cognitive Dissonance of Accepting Aid

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on October 10, 2024

Helping the victims of the recent catastrophic storms requires that we achieve unity both with each other and within ourselves.

Helping the victims of the recent catastrophic storms requires that we achieve unity both with each other and within ourselves.

Child Development

Improve Your Kid's Behavior With Games You Already Have

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on October 9, 2024

You and your child can have fun while learning to manage common behavior issues.

You and your child can have fun while learning to manage common behavior issues.

Depression

Is the Word "Depression" a Microaggression?

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on October 4, 2024

This is why depression can cause such guilt—and what we can do about it.

This is why depression can cause such guilt—and what we can do about it.

Fear

The Psychology of Online Scams

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on September 24, 2024

You have the tools to protect yourself and your loved ones from today's ever more sophisticated online scams.

You have the tools to protect yourself and your loved ones from today's ever more sophisticated online scams.

Stress

What Pets Can Teach Us About Stress Reduction

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on September 21, 2024

What does it mean to live in the present moment? We can learn from the best practitioners: our pets.

What does it mean to live in the present moment? We can learn from the best practitioners: our pets.

Stress

The 3 Pillars of Stress Reduction

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on September 20, 2024

If your stress reduction techniques aren't working, you may need to pay more attention to these areas.

If your stress reduction techniques aren't working, you may need to pay more attention to these areas.

Psychopharmacology

Meds Forever? Sign Me Up!

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on May 6, 2024

Personal Perspective: Being on medication for the rest of your life may be the best thing that could happen to you.

Personal Perspective: Being on medication for the rest of your life may be the best thing that could happen to you.

Anger

Get Mad: It’s Therapeutic

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on December 11, 2022

Do you make excuses for people who mistreat you? You may need to tap into your inner Hulk.

Do you make excuses for people who mistreat you? You may need to tap into your inner Hulk.