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

Aging

How to Live Well Past 100 Years

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D. on October 17, 2026 in Why Bad Looks Good

Would you like to live to celebrate a century of life? That likely depends on how you live.

Would you like to live to celebrate a century of life? That likely depends on how you live.

Friends

Can You Still Celebrate Friends You No Longer Speak To?

Gregg McBride on October 17, 2026 in The Weight-ing Game

Ghosting and estrangement can leave lasting hurt. But research suggests we can appreciate relationships that have ended without reopening old wounds or abandoning boundaries.

Ghosting and estrangement can leave lasting hurt. But research suggests we can appreciate relationships that have ended without reopening old wounds or abandoning boundaries.

Philosophy

Catch-42: Waiting for Meaning

Laura Visu-Petra Ph.D. on October 17, 2026 in Mind Riddles

Finding meaning might not be a major goal for many of us, yet it still shapes health and well-being. Psychology can’t give a final answer, but it can help us ask better questions.

Finding meaning might not be a major goal for many of us, yet it still shapes health and well-being. Psychology can’t give a final answer, but it can help us ask better questions.

Adolescence

Why Don't More People Protect Their Hearing at Concerts?

Shari Eberts on October 16, 2026 in Life With Hearing Loss

One loud concert can damage hearing for good. Learn why people skip earplugs and some simple ways to make protection the new normal.

One loud concert can damage hearing for good. Learn why people skip earplugs and some simple ways to make protection the new normal.

Decision-Making

"Sources of Power": How the Book Came Into Being

Gary Klein Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in Seeing What Others Don't

We are advised to use a systematic process in performing projects such as writing a book. However, the writing of my book "Sources of Power" depended on accidents and discoveries.

We are advised to use a systematic process in performing projects such as writing a book. However, the writing of my book "Sources of Power" depended on accidents and discoveries.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Can We Protect Children Before Family Care Breaks Down?

Mira Antonyan Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in View From the Front Line

If we can identify emerging vulnerabilities in family care earlier, we may be able to reduce the number of families that reach a state of crisis.

If we can identify emerging vulnerabilities in family care earlier, we may be able to reduce the number of families that reach a state of crisis.

Neuroscience

The Lobotomy Isn’t Dead, It Just Got Precise

Kevin Bennett Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in Modern Minds

The lobotomy procedure became a symbol of medical overreach in the 1960s. Brain surgery for mental illness still exists, but in a very different form. Here's what changed.

The lobotomy procedure became a symbol of medical overreach in the 1960s. Brain surgery for mental illness still exists, but in a very different form. Here's what changed.

Aging

When Something as Natural as Aging Becomes a Problem

Changiz Mohiyeddini Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in The Unknown Mind

An industry that teaches us to dislike aging can turn a manufactured insecurity into what feels like a personal preference.

An industry that teaches us to dislike aging can turn a manufactured insecurity into what feels like a personal preference.

Trauma

Is Trauma Forever?

Matt James Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in Focus on Forgiveness

If you constantly reinforce your trauma by talking about it and reliving it, you may be reinforcing the belief that it’s permanent.

If you constantly reinforce your trauma by talking about it and reliving it, you may be reinforcing the belief that it’s permanent.

Magical Thinking

Remembering Salem at Halloween

Scott G. Eberle Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in Play in Mind

As science advances, superstition retreats.

As science advances, superstition retreats.

Trust

Learning How to Trust Again Without Second-Guessing Yourself

J. Ibeh Agbanyim Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in Humanizing the World of Work

There are several relational types of trust. Understanding each of them can help us make important decisions about trusting other people.

There are several relational types of trust. Understanding each of them can help us make important decisions about trusting other people.

Family Dynamics

Family Issues Coming Up for the Holidays? What to Do

Geoffrey Greif Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in Buddy System

Holidays are around the corner. Here is a chance to work on issues with your family using family therapy theories.

Holidays are around the corner. Here is a chance to work on issues with your family using family therapy theories.

Prosopagnosia

Living Without the Ability to Recognize Faces

Sarune Savickaite Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in Mind Unseen

Recognizing familiar faces seems effortless, but what happens when the brain struggles to identify even the people we know best?

Recognizing familiar faces seems effortless, but what happens when the brain struggles to identify even the people we know best?

Family Dynamics

Sowing the Seeds of Estrangement

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on October 16, 2026 in Emptying the Nest

As adult children establish independence, fathers who struggle to accept changing beliefs and values may inadvertently deepen emotional distance and risk lasting estrangement.

As adult children establish independence, fathers who struggle to accept changing beliefs and values may inadvertently deepen emotional distance and risk lasting estrangement.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

A Cause of Repeating Harmful Relationships

Carol A. Lambert, MSW on October 16, 2026 in Mind Games

Unbeknownst to survivors, earlier coping strategies from a traumatic childhood can leave them vulnerable to detecting an abusive partner.

Unbeknownst to survivors, earlier coping strategies from a traumatic childhood can leave them vulnerable to detecting an abusive partner.

Anxiety

“The Forces” Is the Most Important Psychology Book of 2027

Ira Israel LMFT on October 16, 2026 in Authenticity 101

Gen Z does not find solace in traditional philosophy. They need a scintillating opera that exposes the forces that have caused them to try to be well-adjusted to a decaying society.

Gen Z does not find solace in traditional philosophy. They need a scintillating opera that exposes the forces that have caused them to try to be well-adjusted to a decaying society.

Education

Stupidity Threatens Everything

Guy P. Harrison on October 16, 2026 in About Thinking

Global stupidity may be an existential threat to humanity. Fortunately, there is a way to alleviate it.

Global stupidity may be an existential threat to humanity. Fortunately, there is a way to alleviate it.

Family Dynamics

When Family Gatherings Bring Back Old Wounds

Santiago Delboy MBA, LCSW on October 16, 2026 in Relationships Healing Relationships

Family gatherings have a way of resurfacing old roles, expectations, and patterns. As the holidays approach, how can you prepare to navigate them with more freedom and choice?

Family gatherings have a way of resurfacing old roles, expectations, and patterns. As the holidays approach, how can you prepare to navigate them with more freedom and choice?

Intelligence

Conscious Intelligence Is the Key to a Fulfilled Life

Patrick De Vleeschauwer Drs. on October 16, 2026 in Fulfilling Our Highest Possibility

As the AI narrative continues to expand beyond our control, it becomes imperative to recognize that conscious intelligence is the cornerstone of a life that is truly fulfilling.

As the AI narrative continues to expand beyond our control, it becomes imperative to recognize that conscious intelligence is the cornerstone of a life that is truly fulfilling.

Therapy

Assessing the Role of Hope for Music Therapy in Kansas City

Samuel H. Markind, MD on October 16, 2026 in Music Between Your Ears

Music has unique gifts to access profound physical and emotional depths. Here, a music therapist and researcher explores the role of hope in improving rehabilitation outcomes.

Music has unique gifts to access profound physical and emotional depths. Here, a music therapist and researcher explores the role of hope in improving rehabilitation outcomes.

Stress

Self-Care 2.0: Saying “No” and Setting Limits

Maria Baratta Ph.D., L.C.S.W. on October 15, 2026 in Skinny Revisited

What we consciously choose not to do can be a powerful form of self-care.

What we consciously choose not to do can be a powerful form of self-care.

Narcissism

The Origins of Narcissism

Erin Leonard Ph.D. on October 15, 2026 in Peaceful Parenting

People who are educated on the origins of narcissism, and how it unfolds, can try to prevent it from happening in the first place.

People who are educated on the origins of narcissism, and how it unfolds, can try to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Leadership

Bad News Travels Fast, Except to the Boss

Jeff Frey, PhD on October 15, 2026 in Leading in the Real World

When employees hold back bad news, leaders inherit bigger problems and more stress. Sustainable leadership makes it safe to raise concerns early.

When employees hold back bad news, leaders inherit bigger problems and more stress. Sustainable leadership makes it safe to raise concerns early.

Shame

Stop Shaming and Blaming the Sick and Injured

Daniel S. Lobel Ph.D. on October 15, 2026 in My Side of the Couch

Are you reluctant to seek medical care because you feel shame or guilt for being ill? Be compassionate to yourself to facilitate healing and recovery.

Are you reluctant to seek medical care because you feel shame or guilt for being ill? Be compassionate to yourself to facilitate healing and recovery.

Animal Behavior

Efforts to End Suffering by Captive Animals Help Them and Us

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on October 15, 2026 in Animal Emotions

A decline in elephant rides and the development of sea sanctuaries for previously captive cetaceans show that caring for these animals' psychological well-being does matter.

A decline in elephant rides and the development of sea sanctuaries for previously captive cetaceans show that caring for these animals' psychological well-being does matter.

Divorce

Envisioning Life Beyond Divorce

Margaret Donohoe J.D., and Paul Talbert J.D. on October 15, 2026 in Enlightened Counsel

Divorce decisions shape your life for years. Picturing the future you want can help you make clearer choices about your home, finances, and family.

Divorce decisions shape your life for years. Picturing the future you want can help you make clearer choices about your home, finances, and family.

Burnout

How Moral Injury Worsens Burnout

Elizabeth Svoboda on October 15, 2026 in What Makes a Hero?

Though moral injury and burnout are distinct, recent research suggests that ethical struggles at work can make burnout even worse.

Though moral injury and burnout are distinct, recent research suggests that ethical struggles at work can make burnout even worse.

Psychopharmacology

A Flawed Study Shaped the Treatment of Childhood Depression

Jeffrey N Pickens Ph.D. on October 15, 2026 in Psychology Through Technology

Can one "bad apple" spoil a bushel? A single flawed study influenced clinical guidance for prescribing Prozac for childhood depression. Luckily, science is self-correcting.

Can one "bad apple" spoil a bushel? A single flawed study influenced clinical guidance for prescribing Prozac for childhood depression. Luckily, science is self-correcting.

Identity

Who Am I Minus My Spouse?

Sophia Dembling on October 15, 2026 in Widow's Walk

Personal Perspective: Learning about myself without the cloak of marriage between me and me is among the challenges of being widowed.

Personal Perspective: Learning about myself without the cloak of marriage between me and me is among the challenges of being widowed.