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

Artificial Intelligence

Beyond Scaling

Michael Mannino Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in All Things Brain

Scaling AI isn’t enough for true intelligence. Neuroscience reveals the missing piece—embodied cognition, active inference, and agency. Can AI evolve beyond prediction?

Scaling AI isn’t enough for true intelligence. Neuroscience reveals the missing piece—embodied cognition, active inference, and agency. Can AI evolve beyond prediction?

Education

If Preschool Isn't Prep Time, What Should We Do Now?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in Raising Resilient Children

Preschool isn't prep time—it's growth time. Focus on play, connection, and curiosity with evidence-based programs that build strong, joyful learners from the start.

Preschool isn't prep time—it's growth time. Focus on play, connection, and curiosity with evidence-based programs that build strong, joyful learners from the start.

Autism

The "Joy-Pain" of Autism Parenting

Susan Senator on March 25, 2025 in All Families Are Not Alike

Personal Perspective: We feel "joy-pain" because of our children’s vulnerability, even when they’re strong and grown up.

Personal Perspective: We feel "joy-pain" because of our children’s vulnerability, even when they’re strong and grown up.

Leadership

The Psychology of Leadership

Ryan C. Warner Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in Leadership, Diversity, and Wellness

Unlock the secret to leadership that inspires, empowers, and transforms workplace culture for lasting success.

Unlock the secret to leadership that inspires, empowers, and transforms workplace culture for lasting success.

Ethics and Morality

When Ethics Hurt: How Rigid Rules Are Failing the Vulnerable

Gabriel Young Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in Shrink Mindset

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?

Happiness

Why Purpose Is the Opposite of Productivity

Jordan Grumet M.D. on March 25, 2025 in The Regret-Free Life

We’ve been taught to chase goals, but what if true happiness comes from not being productive? Here’s why purpose is the opposite of productivity—and why that’s a good thing.

We’ve been taught to chase goals, but what if true happiness comes from not being productive? Here’s why purpose is the opposite of productivity—and why that’s a good thing.

Stress

Stress Is Not a Bad Word

Margaret Smith Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in The Athlete's Nervous System

Athletes can benefit from a nuanced understanding of the autonomic nervous system and the physiology of how the body actually responds to stress.

Athletes can benefit from a nuanced understanding of the autonomic nervous system and the physiology of how the body actually responds to stress.

Relationships

Why the People You Love Annoy You the Most

Jeffrey Bernstein Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in Liking the Child You Love

You love them, but sometimes, you can’t stand them. Why do the people closest to you get under your skin more than anyone else? The answer isn’t what you think.

You love them, but sometimes, you can’t stand them. Why do the people closest to you get under your skin more than anyone else? The answer isn’t what you think.

Misophonia

Why Has Audiology Taken a Back Seat in Misophonia Research?

Jennifer J. Brout Psy.D, LPC on March 25, 2025 in Noises Off

Audiologist and researcher Dr. Julia Campbell shares her insights into the state of misophonia research and how we may get closer to solving the mysteries of this condition.

Audiologist and researcher Dr. Julia Campbell shares her insights into the state of misophonia research and how we may get closer to solving the mysteries of this condition.

Decision-Making

A Winning Strategy for Improving Group Decision-Making

Ira Hyman Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in Mental Mishaps

We all work in groups sometimes, in settings where effective brainstorming and group decision-making are key to success. A few smart strategies can help improve group outcomes.

We all work in groups sometimes, in settings where effective brainstorming and group decision-making are key to success. A few smart strategies can help improve group outcomes.

Adolescence

Adolescence, Unfiltered

Nancy J. Kislin, LCSW, MFT on March 25, 2025 in Family and Trauma

The Netflix series "Adolescence" follows a young man accused of murder and examines the effects of technology, generational trauma, and parental influence on adolescent behavior.

The Netflix series "Adolescence" follows a young man accused of murder and examines the effects of technology, generational trauma, and parental influence on adolescent behavior.

Autism

The Consequences of Masking in Autism

Morgan Blair MA, LPC on March 25, 2025 in Eating Disorders Among Gender-Expansive and Neurodivergent Individuals

High-masking autistics are at risk for burnout and other mental health challenges. Learn to recognize the signs and functions of masking to understand how to manage its impact.

High-masking autistics are at risk for burnout and other mental health challenges. Learn to recognize the signs and functions of masking to understand how to manage its impact.

Masking

Unmasking 101: Learning to Be Who You Are

Amber Caldera LICSW, LCSW on March 25, 2025 in Wildly Neurodivergent

Feeling burnt out from masking? Follow these research-backed steps to start unmasking safely and authentically.

Feeling burnt out from masking? Follow these research-backed steps to start unmasking safely and authentically.

Relationships

Embracing Detachment: The "Let Them" Theory

Cheralyn Leeby Ph.D., LMFT on March 25, 2025 in Consciously Creating Your Soul Life

The "Let Them" theory helps shift focus from external chaos to internal peace, reducing stress and improving relationships. Learn how to incorporate this approach into your life.

The "Let Them" theory helps shift focus from external chaos to internal peace, reducing stress and improving relationships. Learn how to incorporate this approach into your life.

Bias

Cognitive Biases and Bad Decisions

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on March 25, 2025 in Hide and Seek

Our ability to concentrate and pay attention is very limited. This makes us subject to attention bias, one of many cognitive biases that can lead us to make poor decisions.

Our ability to concentrate and pay attention is very limited. This makes us subject to attention bias, one of many cognitive biases that can lead us to make poor decisions.

Career

The Human Costs of Unemployment

Robert L. Leahy Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in Anxiety Files

How common is unemployment? What are some of the negative effects on mental and physical health?

How common is unemployment? What are some of the negative effects on mental and physical health?

Creativity

How to Overcome Overthinking and Spark Breakthrough Ideas

Jeffrey Davis M.A. on March 25, 2025 in Tracking Wonder

Overthinking can block creativity. Try micro-experiments to disrupt analysis paralysis and spark breakthrough ideas.

Overthinking can block creativity. Try micro-experiments to disrupt analysis paralysis and spark breakthrough ideas.

Media

Resisting Fake News: Does It Depend on Memory?

Barbara Blatchley Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in What Are the Chances?

Fake news and political propaganda are not new, but they are pervasive. Research into how to change minds that seem invested in myth rather than fact has implicated memory.

Fake news and political propaganda are not new, but they are pervasive. Research into how to change minds that seem invested in myth rather than fact has implicated memory.

Relationships

When We Lean Too Heavily on Our Dogs

Wendy Lyons Sunshine, MA on March 25, 2025 in Tender Paws

Sometimes, our relationship with a pet can unintentionally slip into complex and potentially problematic family dynamics.

Sometimes, our relationship with a pet can unintentionally slip into complex and potentially problematic family dynamics.

Parenting

Why Aren't Kids More Independent?

Corinne Masur Psy.D. on March 25, 2025 in Parenting Matters

Parents are so anxious about their children that they limit their independence and thus the opportunity to make their own mistakes and grow from them.

Parents are so anxious about their children that they limit their independence and thus the opportunity to make their own mistakes and grow from them.

Resilience

Is Suffering a Gift in Disguise?

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on March 25, 2025 in When Disaster Strikes: Inside Disaster Psychology

We spend most of our lives seeking comfort and trying to avoid pain. What if it's the pain in our lives, not the comfort, that teaches us to become the people we were meant to be?

We spend most of our lives seeking comfort and trying to avoid pain. What if it's the pain in our lives, not the comfort, that teaches us to become the people we were meant to be?

Therapy

Your Psychedelic Journey, Your Way

Kate Schroeder LPC, LMHC, NCC on March 25, 2025 in Next: Change Is Inevitable, Growth Is Optional

Even with psychedelics, there is no universal formula for a meaningful journey.

Even with psychedelics, there is no universal formula for a meaningful journey.

Psychopharmacology

Common Reasons for Stopping Antipsychotics

Sarah Merritt Ryan on March 25, 2025 in Healing Mind

A Personal Perspective: Going off antipsychotics can feel like proving something, as well as resolving issues of antipsychotic use. But hear me out based on my own experiences.

A Personal Perspective: Going off antipsychotics can feel like proving something, as well as resolving issues of antipsychotic use. But hear me out based on my own experiences.

Suicide

Memories of Suicide Can Last Forever

John Bateson on March 25, 2025 in Goodbye, Suicide

Even the suicide of a person you didn't know well stays with you, forcing you to wonder what you could have done differently.

Even the suicide of a person you didn't know well stays with you, forcing you to wonder what you could have done differently.

Child Development

Why It's Time to Stop Pointing Fingers at Mothers Alone

Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in Your Emotional Meter

Society often blames mothers for their children's behaviors, but child development is influenced by many factors. Explore the need for a broader perspective on parenting.

Society often blames mothers for their children's behaviors, but child development is influenced by many factors. Explore the need for a broader perspective on parenting.

Dreaming

Precognitive Dreams: When Your Dreams Come True

Helen Marlo, Ph.D. on March 25, 2025 in Deeper Dive

Precognitive dreams seem to anticipate future developments and possibilities. For instance, people have reported dreams that predicted their own cancer diagnosis.

Precognitive dreams seem to anticipate future developments and possibilities. For instance, people have reported dreams that predicted their own cancer diagnosis.

Depression

What Causes Depression? New Research Confirms Ancient Wisdom

David Burns M.D. on March 25, 2025 in Feeling Good

Findings using a new AI-enabled mental health app suggest that reducing negative thoughts lowers negative feelings, supporting CBT and potentially offering quick depression relief.

Findings using a new AI-enabled mental health app suggest that reducing negative thoughts lowers negative feelings, supporting CBT and potentially offering quick depression relief.

Compulsive Behaviors

March Madness Masks a Hidden Epidemic

Elisabeth J. LaMotte LICSW on March 25, 2025 in Cinematherapy

Nonstop media coverage, friendly office betting pools, and high-adrenaline competition make a perfect storm for problem gambling. More people than ever are struggling.

Nonstop media coverage, friendly office betting pools, and high-adrenaline competition make a perfect storm for problem gambling. More people than ever are struggling.

Mental Health Stigma

What’s Wrong With How We See Epilepsy?

Ankita Guchait MBPsS on March 25, 2025 in The Realities of Refugee Screening

Epilepsy is misunderstood, with myths fueling stigma. Learn the facts, media impact, and global driving laws.

Epilepsy is misunderstood, with myths fueling stigma. Learn the facts, media impact, and global driving laws.