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

Self-Talk

The "Not Good Enough" Lie

Anna Katharina Schaffner Ph.D. on January 13, 2026 in The Art of Self-Improvement

What if the story keeping you stuck isn’t trauma or missing skills but the belief that you’re not good enough yet? Lack-stories drain agency but you can learn to break free.

What if the story keeping you stuck isn’t trauma or missing skills but the belief that you’re not good enough yet? Lack-stories drain agency but you can learn to break free.

Free Will

How and Why We Use, Downplay, or Ignore Evidence

Glenn C. Altschuler Ph.D. on January 13, 2026 in This Is America

What cognitive biases impair reasoning?

What cognitive biases impair reasoning?

Motivation

How to Make a New Year’s Resolution That Actually Lasts

Lauren Palumbo, LMHC on January 13, 2026 in The Paradox of Strength

Most New Year's resolutions start out with high motivation and good intentions, so why do they always seem to fall flat?

Most New Year's resolutions start out with high motivation and good intentions, so why do they always seem to fall flat?

Autism

Was Barbie Always Autistic?

Amy Marschall, Psy.D. on January 13, 2026 in Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy

In light of Mattel releasing the first official Autistic Barbie, let's look at how Barbie has exhibited autistic traits since she was first released.

In light of Mattel releasing the first official Autistic Barbie, let's look at how Barbie has exhibited autistic traits since she was first released.

Sex

Patriarchy, Religion, and the Myth of “Real Sex”

Joe Kort, Ph.D. on January 13, 2026 in Understanding the Erotic Code

Therapists and society need to expand their definitions of sex, stop treating penetration as the goal, and affirm non-penetrative intimacy as complete sexual expression.

Therapists and society need to expand their definitions of sex, stop treating penetration as the goal, and affirm non-penetrative intimacy as complete sexual expression.

Health

How Probiotics Reduce Inflammation

Scott C. Anderson on January 13, 2026 in Mood by Microbe

Probiotics are microbes that pacify your immune system and prevent the collateral damage from an overactive inflammatory response. Here’s how to put them to work.

Probiotics are microbes that pacify your immune system and prevent the collateral damage from an overactive inflammatory response. Here’s how to put them to work.

Health

The Truth Behind Red Wine’s Effect on Health

Kristen A. Carter MS on January 13, 2026 in Health and Human Nature

Red wine has had its ups and downs. In this day and age of questioning consumption of alcohol, how does red wine stack up?

Red wine has had its ups and downs. In this day and age of questioning consumption of alcohol, how does red wine stack up?

Leadership

When and Why “Management” Became a Dirty Word

Ronald E. Riggio Ph.D. on January 13, 2026 in Cutting-Edge Leadership

How semantics and perceptions change our conceptions of managers and leaders.

How semantics and perceptions change our conceptions of managers and leaders.

ADHD

Do You Have ADHD and Feel Hooked to Your Phone?

Scott S. Shapiro M.D. on January 13, 2026 in The Best Strategies For Managing Adult ADHD

These 7 strategies can help adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder overcome compulsive smartphone use.

These 7 strategies can help adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder overcome compulsive smartphone use.

Intelligence

What Can Gaming Do for Our Intelligence?

T. Alexander Puutio Ph.D. on January 13, 2026 in Curiosity Code

Games can sharpen attention and learning when challenge scales. The real lesson is the gradient. Train effective intelligence with feedback, strain, and repetition.

Games can sharpen attention and learning when challenge scales. The real lesson is the gradient. Train effective intelligence with feedback, strain, and repetition.

Gratitude

3 Ways to Focus on Gratitude in the New Year

Laura Gabayan, M.D. on January 13, 2026 in Common Wisdom Insights

Finding hope to move forward when facing life's challenges.

Finding hope to move forward when facing life's challenges.

Relationships

3 Reasons People Struggle to Leave Unhappy Relationships

Mark Travers Ph.D. on January 13, 2026 in Social Instincts

Three reasons why people stay past their relationship's expiration date.

Three reasons why people stay past their relationship's expiration date.

Body Language

Where Is the Future?

Juana Park Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in Language and Cognition

Across cultures, people literally point to the future in different directions. Our hands reveal how language, writing, and culture shape the way we think about time.

Across cultures, people literally point to the future in different directions. Our hands reveal how language, writing, and culture shape the way we think about time.

Parenting

A Key Technique Therapists Use to Figure Out Kids

Evan Shopper on January 12, 2026 in A Deep Dive Into Narratives

Figuring out kids means figuring out what they feel and why, which is rarely easy or obvious. Child therapists have a helpful technique which anyone can (and should!) use.

Figuring out kids means figuring out what they feel and why, which is rarely easy or obvious. Child therapists have a helpful technique which anyone can (and should!) use.

Cognition

The Danger of Cognitive Hybrid Fluency

Cornelia C. Walther Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in Harnessing Hybrid Intelligence

Cognitive ease may be one of the most dangerous feelings in an AI-mediated world. Consider these four steps to preserve your intellectual independence.

Cognitive ease may be one of the most dangerous feelings in an AI-mediated world. Consider these four steps to preserve your intellectual independence.

Artificial Intelligence

The Third State of Knowing

John Nosta on January 12, 2026 in The Digital Self

AI lets understanding be felt without being built. It's a new state of knowing born from resonance, not struggle.

AI lets understanding be felt without being built. It's a new state of knowing born from resonance, not struggle.

ADHD

ADHD and the Motivation That Never Comes

Sophie Riegel on January 12, 2026 in Mind The (Generation) Gap

You're not lazy. Your ADHD brain is wired for interest, not importance. Discover why necessity doesn't motivate you—and the tricks that actually do.

You're not lazy. Your ADHD brain is wired for interest, not importance. Discover why necessity doesn't motivate you—and the tricks that actually do.

Family Dynamics

The Birth Order Hoax

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in Raising Resilient Children

Science shows birth order doesn’t shape personality. Our traits come from genes, peers, and experience, not our place in the family lineup.

Science shows birth order doesn’t shape personality. Our traits come from genes, peers, and experience, not our place in the family lineup.

Leadership

What a 1939 Experiment Teaches Us About Political Leadership

Peter T. Coleman Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in The Five Percent

A forgotten 1939 experiment reveals why strongmen and leaderless drift fail—and why democracy survives only with disciplined, demanding leadership.

A forgotten 1939 experiment reveals why strongmen and leaderless drift fail—and why democracy survives only with disciplined, demanding leadership.

Attention

How Therapists Can Heal Our Attention

D. Graham Burnett, Ph.D. & Eve Mitchell, LMHC-D, MS.Ed. on January 12, 2026 in Free-Floating Attention

Psychological wellness now depends on the cultivation of active and collaborative resistance to the harms of the attention economy.

Psychological wellness now depends on the cultivation of active and collaborative resistance to the harms of the attention economy.

Anger

The Venting Trap: Why Letting It Out Makes It Worse

Mark Lipton Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in Transformative Leadership

You've been told to "let it out" your whole life. But venting anger doesn't release it—it rehearses it. Here's what four decades of research reveal about what actually works.

You've been told to "let it out" your whole life. But venting anger doesn't release it—it rehearses it. Here's what four decades of research reveal about what actually works.

Parenting

Managing January Meltdowns

Kyle D. Pruett M.D. on January 12, 2026 in Once Upon a Child

Daily routines have important positive effects on a young child’s growth and development. The holidays often disrupt those routines, and the return to normalcy can be challenging.

Daily routines have important positive effects on a young child’s growth and development. The holidays often disrupt those routines, and the return to normalcy can be challenging.

Social Media

Our Brains on Smartphones and Social Media

Nicole A. Tetreault Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in Wire Your Mind for Love

Heavy use of smartphones, internet, and many social media platforms can have debilitating effects on our neural processing, cognitive performance, and behavior.

Heavy use of smartphones, internet, and many social media platforms can have debilitating effects on our neural processing, cognitive performance, and behavior.

Emotional Intelligence

4 Emotionally Intelligent Ways to Handle Unpleasant Interactions

Erin Leonard Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in Peaceful Parenting

Don’t be blindsided and paralyzed by rude, backhanded comments. Have a plan.

Don’t be blindsided and paralyzed by rude, backhanded comments. Have a plan.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Supporting Someone with BPD: Tips for Family Members

Karyn Hall Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in Pieces of Mind

Much as you may wish you could, you can't control the other person. In a relationship with someone with BPD, focus on yourself and your own behavior for the best outcome for all.

Much as you may wish you could, you can't control the other person. In a relationship with someone with BPD, focus on yourself and your own behavior for the best outcome for all.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Why Childhood Neglect Still Shows Up in Adult Relationships

Joanne Bagshaw Ph.D., LCPC on January 12, 2026 in The Third Wave

Childhood emotional neglect can fracture identity and affect adult relationships. Learn how relational therapy helps repair the self.

Childhood emotional neglect can fracture identity and affect adult relationships. Learn how relational therapy helps repair the self.

Philosophy

Introspection and Consciousness: The Illusionism Debate

Walter Veit Ph.D. on January 12, 2026 in Science and Philosophy

A closer look at the illusionist perspective and redefining subjective experiences.

A closer look at the illusionist perspective and redefining subjective experiences.

Aging

What Happens When We Can't Retire?

Michael Shelton MS, LPC on January 12, 2026 in Sex Life of the American Male

Financial insecurity and insurance needs keep many people working after reaching retirement age; the physical and mental health risks are becoming increasingly clear.

Financial insecurity and insurance needs keep many people working after reaching retirement age; the physical and mental health risks are becoming increasingly clear.

Decision-Making

Venezuela and the Rare Skill of Holding Conflicting Views

Jon Rosemberg MAPP on January 12, 2026 in A Guide to Thriving

Why crises push us to choose sides and what it costs when complexity collapses.

Why crises push us to choose sides and what it costs when complexity collapses.