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

Career

How Being a Therapist Can Impact Your Personal Life

Vinita Mehta Ph.D., Ed.M. on September 30, 2023 in Head Games

The good, the bad, and the ugly: A study reveals the secret lives of therapists.

The good, the bad, and the ugly: A study reveals the secret lives of therapists.

Friends

What’s It Like When Your Friend Is a Therapist?

Maria Baratta Ph.D., L.C.S.W. on September 30, 2023 in Skinny Revisited

We’re friends in spite of your “stuff.” We know what's going on, but that's usually not what matters in a friendship. 

We’re friends in spite of your “stuff.” We know what's going on, but that's usually not what matters in a friendship. 

Vagus Nerve

Surprising Ways the Vagus Nerve Activates During Exercise

Christopher Bergland on September 30, 2023 in The Athlete's Way

A new study shows how during exercise, vagus nerve activity increases and enhances coronary blood flow.

A new study shows how during exercise, vagus nerve activity increases and enhances coronary blood flow.

Artificial Intelligence

Full-Spectrum Cognitive Development Incorporating AI

John Nosta on September 30, 2023 in The Digital Self

A Personal Perspective: How AI may become integral to human growth.

A Personal Perspective: How AI may become integral to human growth.

Therapy

Feeling Lonely on a Crowded Campus? Therapy Dogs Can Help

John-Tyler Binfet Ph.D. on September 30, 2023 in Canines, Kids, and Kindness

"As much as I miss my parents, I miss my dog more."

"As much as I miss my parents, I miss my dog more."

Animal Behavior

The Astonishing Lives of Emotional and Romantic Seahorses

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on September 30, 2023 in Animal Emotions

Seahorses are fascinating tiny fishes that are bright, highly emotional, and amorous, but also engage in love triangles.

Seahorses are fascinating tiny fishes that are bright, highly emotional, and amorous, but also engage in love triangles.

Trust

How to Build Trust

Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on September 30, 2023 in Fixing Families

Building trust, whether in a relationship or at work, is about lowering the other person's anxiety and breaking the mistrust-controlling cycle. Here's how to do it.

Building trust, whether in a relationship or at work, is about lowering the other person's anxiety and breaking the mistrust-controlling cycle. Here's how to do it.

Creativity

To Copy? To Imitate? To Learn Through Mimetics

Bernadette Stockwell Ph.D. on September 30, 2023 in The Naked Creative

Students in any art form begin their journey by following instructions. By imitating the work of masters, the burgeoning artist imprints the craft, and then births their own new art.

Students in any art form begin their journey by following instructions. By imitating the work of masters, the burgeoning artist imprints the craft, and then births their own new art.

Anxiety

Practical Tips on Changing Anxious Thoughts

Elizabeth McMahon Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Overcoming Anxiety and Panic

Knowing intellectually that you don’t need to be afraid makes no difference when your emotions scream “danger!” Learn secrets of effectively changing worry and fears.

Knowing intellectually that you don’t need to be afraid makes no difference when your emotions scream “danger!” Learn secrets of effectively changing worry and fears.

Grief

Why Grief Is Ready for Its Renaissance Era

Stephanie Sarazin M.P.P. on September 29, 2023 in Soulbroken

Victoria led the way in establishing modern mourning wear. Now we may need a new trendsetter to bring it back.

Victoria led the way in establishing modern mourning wear. Now we may need a new trendsetter to bring it back.

Narcissism

Extremists? Radicals? Fanatics? The Better Term Is "More-On"

Jeremy E. Sherman Ph.D., MPP on September 29, 2023 in Ambigamy

A more accurate term than extremist or radical is "more-on": someone claiming we should pile more and more on of some absolute pure virtue, never mind the consequences.

A more accurate term than extremist or radical is "more-on": someone claiming we should pile more and more on of some absolute pure virtue, never mind the consequences.

Sex

How Many Sexual Partners Should We Have Before Marriage?

Greg Matos PsyD on September 29, 2023 in The State of Our Unions

How many lifetime sexual partners do most have in the U.S. and what are the benefits to multiple partners?

How many lifetime sexual partners do most have in the U.S. and what are the benefits to multiple partners?

Workplace Dynamics

How Do You Tend to Show Up in Team Meetings?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Mindful Professional Development

Many of us take on a particular role in work team meetings. Learn six common but undesirable roles and how to address them in yourself or others.

Many of us take on a particular role in work team meetings. Learn six common but undesirable roles and how to address them in yourself or others.

Emotional Intelligence

For the Modern Leader, Emotional Intelligence Drives Results

Matt James Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Focus on Forgiveness

In the pursuit of success, we often focus on intelligence, skills, and qualifications. But there's a crucial ingredient that has long been overlooked.

In the pursuit of success, we often focus on intelligence, skills, and qualifications. But there's a crucial ingredient that has long been overlooked.

Environment

How Positive Storytelling Can Impact Climate Change

Sarah An Myers on September 29, 2023 in Living as an Outlier

In order to affect climate change, we need to be geared towards climate "action."

In order to affect climate change, we need to be geared towards climate "action."

Cognition

How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

Tara Well Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in The Clarity

Want to improve your critical thinking skills? Apply these approaches.

Want to improve your critical thinking skills? Apply these approaches.

Ethics and Morality

How to Receive Gifts as a Psychotherapist

Robert Kertzner M.D. on September 29, 2023 in The Intersections of Life

A Personal Perspective: A psychotherapist reflects on gifts accepted, declined, and belatedly appreciated, in one case after four decades.

A Personal Perspective: A psychotherapist reflects on gifts accepted, declined, and belatedly appreciated, in one case after four decades.

Midlife

The Post-Pandemic Mid-Life Crisis

Kimberly Key Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Counseling Keys

Today’s mid-lifers have higher rates of mental and physical ailments than their counterparts in prior generations.

Today’s mid-lifers have higher rates of mental and physical ailments than their counterparts in prior generations.

Body Image

The Power of Dress

Sylvia R. Karasu M.D. on September 29, 2023 in The Gravity of Weight

Clothing offers protection, modesty, and adornment, and far from frivolous, it can have enormous psychological impact.

Clothing offers protection, modesty, and adornment, and far from frivolous, it can have enormous psychological impact.

Depression

How to Appreciate the Healing Power of Sadness

Carla Shuman Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in From Trial to Triumph

People tell us to "buck up" and "stay positive," but experiencing and expressing sadness helps us heal.

People tell us to "buck up" and "stay positive," but experiencing and expressing sadness helps us heal.

Addiction

Seasonal Triggers: Pumpkin Spice Lattes Can Mess With Me

Dana Bowman on September 29, 2023 in Highly Functioning Is Highly Dangerous

A Personal Perspective: Sometimes the changing of the seasons can trigger me. Here is a five-step plan for recovery.

A Personal Perspective: Sometimes the changing of the seasons can trigger me. Here is a five-step plan for recovery.

Sex

Back Pain, Freud, and Low Desire

Marty Klein Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Sexual Intelligence

Jalen and Maria loved each other, liked sex, and found their partner sexually desirable. So why were they having sex less and less?

Jalen and Maria loved each other, liked sex, and found their partner sexually desirable. So why were they having sex less and less?

Dreaming

Learning How to Dream Again

Carrie J Knowles on September 29, 2023 in Shifting Forward

A Personal Perspective: You can do the thing you think you can't.

A Personal Perspective: You can do the thing you think you can't.

Stress

Why Early Christmas Shopping Can Support Your Mental Health

Cathrine Jansson-Boyd Ph.D. on September 29, 2023 in Consumer Psychology

Christmas shopping in September? No way! But even if you don't like it, there are some benefits.

Christmas shopping in September? No way! But even if you don't like it, there are some benefits.

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.