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

Guilt

When Your Adult Child's Blame Becomes a List of Demands

Jeffrey Bernstein Ph.D. on July 12, 2026 in Liking the Child You Love

What to say when your adult child's guilt-slinging comes with a price tag.

What to say when your adult child's guilt-slinging comes with a price tag.

Assertiveness

The Gift of a Direct "No"

Pia Owens on July 12, 2026 in Getting Comfortable with Conflict

An indirect, ambiguous rejection leaves people wondering what you meant—or doing even more of what you wish they would stop. A direct "no" can be a gift that lets them move on.

An indirect, ambiguous rejection leaves people wondering what you meant—or doing even more of what you wish they would stop. A direct "no" can be a gift that lets them move on.

Therapy

5 Films That Track the Evolution of the Movie Therapist

Kendall Morgan M.F.A., M.A. on July 12, 2026 in Reel Therapy

From the paternal analyst to the therapist who admits "I don't know," these five films reveal our relationship with therapy over the years.

From the paternal analyst to the therapist who admits "I don't know," these five films reveal our relationship with therapy over the years.

Motivation

Wanted: Neurodivergent Motivation

Catherine J. Mutti-Driscoll Ph.D. on July 12, 2026 in Empowerment Is Real

Still trying to motivate yourself through negative self-talk and "working harder"? Try a "PINCH" of neurodivergent motivation instead.

Still trying to motivate yourself through negative self-talk and "working harder"? Try a "PINCH" of neurodivergent motivation instead.

Appetite

Is Your GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Affecting Your Mood?

Esther Sternberg M.D. on July 12, 2026 in Creating Wellbeing Wherever You Are

GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss drugs suppress appetite for food but may also reduce mood and desire for sex in some people, especially early on in treatment.

GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss drugs suppress appetite for food but may also reduce mood and desire for sex in some people, especially early on in treatment.

Sport and Competition

Are You Raising a Boy Who Doesn’t Like Sports?

Janet Sasson Edgette Psy.D. on July 12, 2026 in Modern Teen Therapy

Big, strong, athletically gifted boys have always dominated childhood’s social landscape. What does that mean for the other boys?

Big, strong, athletically gifted boys have always dominated childhood’s social landscape. What does that mean for the other boys?

Education

Celebrate USA’s 250th Birthday With Two Education Mandates

J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. on July 12, 2026 in Raising Readers, Writers, and Spellers

An educated citizenry is a requirement for democracy. Find out what’s needed to ensure that we have a literate citizenry for America’s 250th birthday celebration.

An educated citizenry is a requirement for democracy. Find out what’s needed to ensure that we have a literate citizenry for America’s 250th birthday celebration.

Emotional Intelligence

3 Top Tier Emotionally Intelligent Tendencies

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

EI is a gift. Responding instead of reacting, setting healthy boundaries in place of being passive aggressive, & embracing accountability are top tier EI tendencies.

EI is a gift. Responding instead of reacting, setting healthy boundaries in place of being passive aggressive, & embracing accountability are top tier EI tendencies.

OCD

Playful Presence: Helping Teens With OCD Redirect Attention

Michael Todd Fink LMSW on July 12, 2026 in The Circle of Compassion

What if mindfulness for teens with OCD began with laughter instead of silence? A simple game can help them practice attention, flexibility, and the freedom to make mistakes.

What if mindfulness for teens with OCD began with laughter instead of silence? A simple game can help them practice attention, flexibility, and the freedom to make mistakes.

Memory

Why We Screenshot Things We'll Never Look at Again

Ankita Guchait MBPsS on July 12, 2026 in The Realities of Refugee Screening

From recipes and quotes to travel tips and workout plans, we save countless screenshots we never revisit. The psychology behind this habit reveals more than you think.

From recipes and quotes to travel tips and workout plans, we save countless screenshots we never revisit. The psychology behind this habit reveals more than you think.

Artificial Intelligence

Is Artificial Intelligence Friend or Foe? It Depends

George S. Everly, Jr. PhD, ABPP, FACLP on July 12, 2026 in When Disaster Strikes: Inside Disaster Psychology

Artificial intelligence can help you get from where you are to where you want to be. It can also get you hopelessly lost. Let's discover how to use the gift of AI.

Artificial intelligence can help you get from where you are to where you want to be. It can also get you hopelessly lost. Let's discover how to use the gift of AI.

Borderline Personality Disorder

What Is BPD Compass?

Shannon Sauer-Zavala Ph.D. on July 12, 2026 in Self: Made

Learn how BPD Compass personalizes treatment by targeting the personality processes driving each person's symptoms.

Learn how BPD Compass personalizes treatment by targeting the personality processes driving each person's symptoms.

Wisdom

Mental Health Wisdom From Group Fitness Classes

Sandra Wartski Psy.D. on July 12, 2026 in Mindful Metaphors

Several group fitness class instructions are applied in terms of facing life challenges for positive psychological change and growth.

Several group fitness class instructions are applied in terms of facing life challenges for positive psychological change and growth.

Positive Psychology

Supergirl and the Purpose Hidden in Small Things

Sothy Eng Ph.D. on July 12, 2026 in Relationship Building

A poisoned dog, a grieving girl, and one personal concern reveal how purpose can grow from small experiences into something shared by many.

A poisoned dog, a grieving girl, and one personal concern reveal how purpose can grow from small experiences into something shared by many.

Relationships

Core Value Love vs. Core Hurt Love

Steven Stosny, Ph.D. on July 12, 2026 in Anger in the Age of Entitlement

Persuasion in love relationships occurs only with positive regard. We’ll never convince our partners that we’re right by making them defensive or by devaluing them.

Persuasion in love relationships occurs only with positive regard. We’ll never convince our partners that we’re right by making them defensive or by devaluing them.

Marriage

"The Invite": Film Review

Ira Israel LMFT on July 12, 2026 in Authenticity 101

Olivia Wilde has directed a wonderful comedy that equally allows psychotherapist Esther Perel's insights about relarionships to shine.

Olivia Wilde has directed a wonderful comedy that equally allows psychotherapist Esther Perel's insights about relarionships to shine.

Neuroscience

What Is Immersive Biofeedback?

Jeff Tarrant, Ph.D., BCN on July 12, 2026 in Choosing Your Meditation Style

You're doing the work. But is it working? A new category of tools is finally giving stress management practices the feedback they've always been missing.

You're doing the work. But is it working? A new category of tools is finally giving stress management practices the feedback they've always been missing.

Artificial Intelligence

The Problem with Having a 'Conversation' with A.I.

Matt Johnson Ph.D. on July 12, 2026 in Mind, Brain, and Value

We call it a conversation because that's what it feels like. But a chatbot can't be changed by you, or ever need you, and pretending otherwise erodes what real connection demands.

We call it a conversation because that's what it feels like. But a chatbot can't be changed by you, or ever need you, and pretending otherwise erodes what real connection demands.

Aging

Aging? It's Funnier Than You Think

Dena Kouremetis on July 12, 2026 in (R)aging with Grace

The ability to find a situation funny is what separates some seniors from those who age with their jaws clenched.

The ability to find a situation funny is what separates some seniors from those who age with their jaws clenched.

Ethics and Morality

Are We Alone in the Universe?

Stephen A. Diamond Ph.D. on July 12, 2026 in Evil Deeds

How can we explain the psychology of the UFO phenomenon?

How can we explain the psychology of the UFO phenomenon?

Parenting

This Is Not the Child I Dreamed of Having

Susan M. Pollak MTS, Ed.D. on July 11, 2026 in The Art of Now

Mindfulness and compassion can help a family during the process of gender transition.

Mindfulness and compassion can help a family during the process of gender transition.

Eating Disorders

When Healthy Eating Becomes Unhealthy

Carolyn Karoll LCSW-C, CEDS-C on July 11, 2026 in Eating Disorder Recovery

Food should nourish us, not consume us. This post explores how the pursuit of perfect nutrition can quietly undermine health.

Food should nourish us, not consume us. This post explores how the pursuit of perfect nutrition can quietly undermine health.

Theory of Mind

Do We Think of UFOs as Crafts or Beings, and Why Does It Matter?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on July 11, 2026 in The Philosopher Is In

Why do we tend to assume that UFOs are crafts carrying alien beings rather than alien beings themselves? How the UFO phenomena continue to reveal unfounded human assumptions.

Why do we tend to assume that UFOs are crafts carrying alien beings rather than alien beings themselves? How the UFO phenomena continue to reveal unfounded human assumptions.

Philosophy

Pursuing the Ethical Approach of "Openness to the Other"

Monica Vilhauer Ph.D. on July 11, 2026 in Philosophy for Curious Souls

In a culture saturated with scientific, psychological, and sophistic approaches to the other, openness is in short supply.

In a culture saturated with scientific, psychological, and sophistic approaches to the other, openness is in short supply.

Relationships

Checks in Balance: The Secret to All Sustainability

Jeremy E. Sherman Ph.D. on July 11, 2026 in Ambigamy

Personal Perspective: Checks in balance are the only way to keep any fragile dynamic going, whether it's health, marriage, or government.

Personal Perspective: Checks in balance are the only way to keep any fragile dynamic going, whether it's health, marriage, or government.

Affirmations

Words to the Wise

Daniel Fryer M.Sc., MBSCH on July 11, 2026 in Keeping an Even Keel

Words of wisdom and witty bon mots are great tools in coaching and therapy, but they need to be used carefully. Here's why.

Words of wisdom and witty bon mots are great tools in coaching and therapy, but they need to be used carefully. Here's why.

Artificial Intelligence

Therapy in the Age of AI: What We Can Actually Do

Marianne Brandon Ph.D. on July 11, 2026 in The Future of Intimacy

Therapists have options. But none of them are available if we aren't looking honestly at the problem.

Therapists have options. But none of them are available if we aren't looking honestly at the problem.

Workplace Dynamics

Fixing Remote Work Behaviors That Wouldn't Fly In Person

Ian MacRae on July 11, 2026 in Silicon Psyche

From muted mockery to social loafing, screens shield actions that wouldn't fly in person. Learn why people get away with more online and why restoring accountability matters.

From muted mockery to social loafing, screens shield actions that wouldn't fly in person. Learn why people get away with more online and why restoring accountability matters.

Mating

How the "July Theory" Might Affect Your Dating

Bruce Y. Lee M.D., M.B.A. on July 11, 2026 in A Funny Bone to Pick

How has July been going for you so far? Has it been a big turning point in your romantic life yet?

How has July been going for you so far? Has it been a big turning point in your romantic life yet?