Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist

Learned Helplessness

Overcoming the Inertia That Inhibits Personal Growth

Krystine I. Batcho Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Longing for Nostalgia

Many people stay in unhappy or unfulfilling situations, relationships, or habits, fearing failure, rejection, or regret. Small changes begin the process of regaining control.

Many people stay in unhappy or unfulfilling situations, relationships, or habits, fearing failure, rejection, or regret. Small changes begin the process of regaining control.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Missocialization: When Abusers Teach Children to Do Wrong

Lisa Aronson Fontes Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Invisible Chains

Domestic abusers often model objectionable behavior such as substance abuse, lying, and hate. Whatever your role with a child, you can help counteract this missocialiation.

Domestic abusers often model objectionable behavior such as substance abuse, lying, and hate. Whatever your role with a child, you can help counteract this missocialiation.

Social Life

The Psychology of Bluffing

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in One Among Many

Social games allowing bluffs are both attractive and scary. Absent keen and accurate insight into the psychology of the bluffer, the opponent may resort to an equilibrium strategy.

Social games allowing bluffs are both attractive and scary. Absent keen and accurate insight into the psychology of the bluffer, the opponent may resort to an equilibrium strategy.

Mating

Cuffing Season Tips: A Guide for Holiday Romance

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in The Attraction Doctor

Find love for the holidays (and perhaps beyond) with these persuasive tips for cuffing season success.

Find love for the holidays (and perhaps beyond) with these persuasive tips for cuffing season success.

Anger

Seeking Justice: Anger vs. Passionate Conviction

Steven Stosny, Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Anger in the Age of Entitlement

Passionate conviction helps us envision the changes we want and illuminates a path to achieving them.

Passionate conviction helps us envision the changes we want and illuminates a path to achieving them.

Suicide

Surviving a Suicide Attempt Brings Mixed Feelings for Many

Robert T Muller Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Talking About Trauma

Mental health issues and battles with feelings of guilt plague survivors of suicide attempts.

Mental health issues and battles with feelings of guilt plague survivors of suicide attempts.

Career

Are You a Precrastinator?

Polly Campbell on September 29, 2023 in Imperfect Spirituality

Our drive to get things done might be costing us. Here's what to do if you, like me, are prone to pre-rastination. And no, that's not a typo.

Our drive to get things done might be costing us. Here's what to do if you, like me, are prone to pre-rastination. And no, that's not a typo.

Mindfulness

Breaking Up With Your Smartphone

Mitch Abblett Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Momentology

Learn to bring greater awareness to how you use your screens and learn to use them without being used by them.

Learn to bring greater awareness to how you use your screens and learn to use them without being used by them.

Relationships

A Perfect Kiss? The Truth Behind This Loving and Sexy Signal

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Modern Minds

Is being a good kisser really that important? New research shows there's a lot more to the science behind kissing than we knew; these simple steps will help you to improve.

Is being a good kisser really that important? New research shows there's a lot more to the science behind kissing than we knew; these simple steps will help you to improve.

Animal Behavior

Why Horses Are Big Dogs

Juliane Bräuer Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Smarter Than You Think

Dogs and horses can both be extremely sensitive toward humans.

Dogs and horses can both be extremely sensitive toward humans.

Consumer Behavior

Can You Stay Cool When Making Risky Decisions?

Janina Steinmetz Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in The Social Consumer

Trying something new could be great, or terrible. Consumers are more willing to take such risks when shopping on warmer days, but avoid risks on colder days.

Trying something new could be great, or terrible. Consumers are more willing to take such risks when shopping on warmer days, but avoid risks on colder days.

Personal Perspectives

On the Freud Trail in Vienna

Barry Yourgrau on September 29, 2023 in Mess

A personal perspective: Having just visited Vienna's newly reconceived Freud Museum, I take a fresh look at some of Freud's key Vienna places and their stories.

A personal perspective: Having just visited Vienna's newly reconceived Freud Museum, I take a fresh look at some of Freud's key Vienna places and their stories.

Ethics and Morality

Ethical Principles in Mental Health Care

Mark Shelvock RP(Q), CT, MACP, MA on September 29, 2023 in Navigating the Serpentine Path

How ethical deliberations ensure that our professions are held to the highest standard.

How ethical deliberations ensure that our professions are held to the highest standard.

Therapy

Prescribing Poetry and Prose

Melissa Rampelli Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in The Fainting Couch

The magic of books goes beyond storytelling. Dive into the world of clinical bibliotherapy and explore how literature heals and nurtures our mental well-being.

The magic of books goes beyond storytelling. Dive into the world of clinical bibliotherapy and explore how literature heals and nurtures our mental well-being.

Trauma

Can Trauma-Informed Survivor Care Be Provided by Chatbots?

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Why Bad Looks Good

Would a trauma survivor be comfortable confiding in an artificial confidant? Research reveals the surprising truth.

Would a trauma survivor be comfortable confiding in an artificial confidant? Research reveals the surprising truth.

Forgiveness

When Not to Apologize

Bill Eddy LCSW, JD on September 29, 2023 in 5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life

The words “I’m sorry” can be easily misused by high-conflict people preoccupied with blaming others.

The words “I’m sorry” can be easily misused by high-conflict people preoccupied with blaming others.

Friends

One-Sided Friendships: Give Up or Give Grace?

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Platonic Love

One-sided friendships can feel confusing. Do you keep reaching out or do you move on? How do you decide? Based on the research, here’s how to make your choice.

One-sided friendships can feel confusing. Do you keep reaching out or do you move on? How do you decide? Based on the research, here’s how to make your choice.

Environment

3 Ways to Fight the Dreadful Feeling of Solastalgia

Mark Travers Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Social Instincts

Is the planet's uncertain future casting a shadow over your sunny present?

Is the planet's uncertain future casting a shadow over your sunny present?

Health

Herbs for Cooking Can Be More Than Just Tasty

Barbara Koltuska-Haskin, Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in How My Brain Works

Garden sage and bay leaves are commonly used as culinary herbs, but both also have medicinal properties.

Garden sage and bay leaves are commonly used as culinary herbs, but both also have medicinal properties.

Executive Function

Build Your Child's Executive Functioning Skills

Liz Nissim-Matheis Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Special Matters

How can parents help their children build the executive functioning skills that they will need throughout their lifetime?

How can parents help their children build the executive functioning skills that they will need throughout their lifetime?

Race and Ethnicity

Enhancing Cultural Sensitivity in Healthcare

Erica Steele DNM, ND, CFMP, BCND, MPH on September 29, 2023 in Putting the Care Back in Healthcare

The ability to provide culturally sensitive care has become a vital skill for modern practitioners. It significantly influences care outcomes.

The ability to provide culturally sensitive care has become a vital skill for modern practitioners. It significantly influences care outcomes.

Positive Psychology

The Hero's Journey to Well-Being

Jessica Koehler Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Beyond School Walls

Discover the intertwined paths of ancient narratives and contemporary psychology.

Discover the intertwined paths of ancient narratives and contemporary psychology.

Jealousy

Why Cyber-Snooping on Your Partner's Ex Is a Bad Idea

Jourdan Travers LCSW on September 29, 2023 in Hard, Cold Research

The more you dig into the past, the further away you get from the present.

The more you dig into the past, the further away you get from the present.

Artificial Intelligence

When AI Systems Talk Amongst Themselves

John Nosta on September 29, 2023 in The Digital Self

AI is now using sensory data, crafting realities that might bypass humans, and communicating in ways beyond our grasp.

AI is now using sensory data, crafting realities that might bypass humans, and communicating in ways beyond our grasp.

Anxiety

A Brief History of Psychobiotics

Scott C. Anderson on September 29, 2023 in Mood by Microbe

Psychobiotics are microbes that can improve your mood. The science is fascinating; the results are profound. Read about the first ten years of study.

Psychobiotics are microbes that can improve your mood. The science is fascinating; the results are profound. Read about the first ten years of study.

Burnout

Beyond Burnout

Camille Preston Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Mental Health in the Workplace

Discover the hidden menace of "rust-out" in the pursuit of success. Learn how to avoid burnout and nurture sustainable leadership.

Discover the hidden menace of "rust-out" in the pursuit of success. Learn how to avoid burnout and nurture sustainable leadership.

Decision-Making

Why Avoiding Regret Is Bad Advice

Carlos Alós-Ferrer Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Decisions and the Brain

Life is full of regrets. However, basing your decisions on avoiding future regrets is not a good idea.

Life is full of regrets. However, basing your decisions on avoiding future regrets is not a good idea.

Stress

Stress and Health: Supporting Loved Ones After Trauma

Devika Bhushan M.D. on September 29, 2023 in On Living Well

How do you best support someone you love after a traumatic experience? Important tools for us to have handy to know how to respond in a healing way.

How do you best support someone you love after a traumatic experience? Important tools for us to have handy to know how to respond in a healing way.

Stress

How Our Immune System Determines Our Real Age

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in The Behavioral Microbiome

How the extent of "immunosenescence" determines biological age.

How the extent of "immunosenescence" determines biological age.