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

Environment

Nature's Medicine Is Right Outside Your Door

Ariella Cook-Shonkoff, MFT on July 20, 2025 in The Anti-Doomer Mindset

In this guest post, Bridget A. Lyons shares how connecting with nature allies offers mental relief from the daily grind, improves our functioning, and expands our sense of awe.

In this guest post, Bridget A. Lyons shares how connecting with nature allies offers mental relief from the daily grind, improves our functioning, and expands our sense of awe.

Self-Talk

7 Ways to Cope with Uncertainty

Alice Boyes Ph.D. on July 20, 2025 in In Practice

Self-talk phrases can help you manage the unknowns.

Self-talk phrases can help you manage the unknowns.

Growth Mindset

Unlock Your Potential With the Power of Belief

Nir Eyal on July 20, 2025 in Automatic You

Beliefs aren't truths, they're tools. Choose ones that empower you, like Olympian Michelle Roark did, and upgrade those that hold you back.

Beliefs aren't truths, they're tools. Choose ones that empower you, like Olympian Michelle Roark did, and upgrade those that hold you back.

Family Dynamics

When a Parent’s Scandal Goes Public

Atara Malach M.A., PCC on July 20, 2025 in Motherhood Without Guilt

What to say to a child when their parent is caught in a public scandal. You can respond with honesty, love, and strength when kids are exposed to adult mistakes made public.

What to say to a child when their parent is caught in a public scandal. You can respond with honesty, love, and strength when kids are exposed to adult mistakes made public.

Shame

Only the Shamed Shame

Steven Stosny, Ph.D. on July 20, 2025 in Anger in the Age of Entitlement

Credibility and honesty dissolve in shaming labels. Negative labels kill relationships and serve as weapons in culture wars. No person or group can be reduced to a label.

Credibility and honesty dissolve in shaming labels. Negative labels kill relationships and serve as weapons in culture wars. No person or group can be reduced to a label.

Misophonia

What Do Children and Parents With Misophonia Really Think?

Jennifer J. Brout Psy.D, LPC on July 20, 2025 in Noises Off

What should the priorities be in misophonia treatment, research, and advocacy? Find out what a group of parents and their children expressed in this qualitative study.

What should the priorities be in misophonia treatment, research, and advocacy? Find out what a group of parents and their children expressed in this qualitative study.

DSM

Some Preliminary Ideas for DSM-6

Mark L. Ruffalo M.S.W., D.Psa. on July 20, 2025 in From Freud to Fluoxetine

As the American Psychiatric Association begins planning for the next version of DSM, the field faces a critical decision between truth and pragmatism.

As the American Psychiatric Association begins planning for the next version of DSM, the field faces a critical decision between truth and pragmatism.

Boundaries

Are You Serial Fixing the Emotional Baggage of Others?

Leah Marone LCSW on July 20, 2025 in Gaining and Sustaining

If you feel drained from fixing others, you can support them with empathy, set healthy boundaries, and reclaim your energy without losing yourself.

If you feel drained from fixing others, you can support them with empathy, set healthy boundaries, and reclaim your energy without losing yourself.

Guilt

Guilt Isn’t the Enemy

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on July 20, 2025 in Raising Resilient Children

Guilt evolved to protect social bonds and promote cooperation. When managed well, it helps us grow. When distorted, it can become toxic. Use it, but don’t get lost in it.

Guilt evolved to protect social bonds and promote cooperation. When managed well, it helps us grow. When distorted, it can become toxic. Use it, but don’t get lost in it.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Resistance to Emotional Regulation

Daniel S. Lobel Ph.D. on July 20, 2025 in My Side of the Couch

Do you give in to the temper tantrums of those with borderline personality disorder? If so, you are making the situation worse.

Do you give in to the temper tantrums of those with borderline personality disorder? If so, you are making the situation worse.

Child Development

How Childhood Coping Traits Affect Our Adult Relationships

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on July 20, 2025 in Invisible Bruises

The very traits that once helped individuals survive a dysfunctional childhood often become the same ones that create tension and pain in adult relationships.

The very traits that once helped individuals survive a dysfunctional childhood often become the same ones that create tension and pain in adult relationships.

Emotion Regulation

How to Cope Without Melting Down or Burning Out

Terrell L. Strayhorn Ph.D. on July 20, 2025 in Belonging Matters

Are we celebrating emotional dysfunction? How to cope without melting down or burning out.

Are we celebrating emotional dysfunction? How to cope without melting down or burning out.

Relationships

Love Not Lost: When Partners Come Back

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., M.Div., Ph.D. on July 20, 2025 in Why Bad Looks Good

Breaking up is not always forever, nor do partners always want it to be.

Breaking up is not always forever, nor do partners always want it to be.

Infidelity

Infidelity on Social Media: A Town Square of Public Shaming

Silva Neves on July 20, 2025 in Talking Sex and Relationships

The narratives of infidelity on social media can provoke many uncomfortable emotions in us. It is easy to project those onto others rather than examining our own reactions.

The narratives of infidelity on social media can provoke many uncomfortable emotions in us. It is easy to project those onto others rather than examining our own reactions.

Therapy

A Therapist's Confession: Tools Borrowed for My Own Growth

Jennifer Gerlach LCSW on July 20, 2025 in Beyond Mental Health

Therapy practices are not just for clients.

Therapy practices are not just for clients.

Alcoholism

Fitting In vs. Belonging: The Hidden Cost of Social Drinking

Jeanette Hu AMFT on July 19, 2025 in Sober Curiosity

Is alcohol a shortcut to connection—or a block to belonging?

Is alcohol a shortcut to connection—or a block to belonging?

Perfectionism

Am I a Bad Person?

Leon Garber LMHC on July 19, 2025 in Perfectionism

Perfectionists may attempt to embody an absolute and consistent goodness, yet morality often requires us to treat others differently, which can feel confusing and scary.

Perfectionists may attempt to embody an absolute and consistent goodness, yet morality often requires us to treat others differently, which can feel confusing and scary.

Artificial Intelligence

The Emotional Cost of Working With Machines

Giang Hoang Ph.D. on July 19, 2025 in Entrepreneurial Psychology

Discover how AI transforms not just tasks but emotions in the workplace, revealing the hidden challenges and opportunities that come with this technological shift.

Discover how AI transforms not just tasks but emotions in the workplace, revealing the hidden challenges and opportunities that come with this technological shift.

Addiction

New Research Into Cocaine's Damaging Effects on the Heart

Mark S. Gold M.D. on July 19, 2025 in Addiction Outlook

Cocaine is harmful to the heart, and using alcohol at the same time confers a significantly increased risk of life-threatening and persistent damage to the cardiovascular system.

Cocaine is harmful to the heart, and using alcohol at the same time confers a significantly increased risk of life-threatening and persistent damage to the cardiovascular system.

Social Media

Tuning Out the Noise, From Without or Within

J. Ibeh Agbanyim Ph.D. on July 19, 2025 in Humanizing the World of Work

Every day we're assailed by all sorts of noise—physical, psychological, social, political—that disrupts concentration and increases stress. Here's how to turn down the volume.

Every day we're assailed by all sorts of noise—physical, psychological, social, political—that disrupts concentration and increases stress. Here's how to turn down the volume.

Neuroscience

Brain Transmissions, Functions and Holistic Efficiencies

Ragnar Purje Ph.D. on July 19, 2025 in Recovery From Brain Injury

Gliotransmitters help support motor nerve terminals and neuronal communication between neurons and other glial cells, a process that may be mediated by calcium ion signalling.

Gliotransmitters help support motor nerve terminals and neuronal communication between neurons and other glial cells, a process that may be mediated by calcium ion signalling.

Trust

Are We Hardwired for Trust?

Sam Goldstein Ph.D. on July 19, 2025 in Common Sense Science

Trust, which is rooted in evolution, enables cooperation, social stability, and progress. Building trust through honesty, reliability, and empathy nurtures better relationships.

Trust, which is rooted in evolution, enables cooperation, social stability, and progress. Building trust through honesty, reliability, and empathy nurtures better relationships.

Growth Mindset

The Psychology of Becoming Who You Want to Be

Chris Tompkins on July 19, 2025 in LGBTQ Affirmative Psychology

Most of us wait for the right moment to change—but what if real transformation happens quietly, inside, before anything outside shifts?

Most of us wait for the right moment to change—but what if real transformation happens quietly, inside, before anything outside shifts?

Transgender

The Transgender Road to Tennessee

Roseann Foley Henry on July 19, 2025 in The Big, and Little, Questions

Personal Perspective: After the Supreme Court decision on gender-affirming care, Tennessee (and others) will take an intensely personal decision away from teens and parents.

Personal Perspective: After the Supreme Court decision on gender-affirming care, Tennessee (and others) will take an intensely personal decision away from teens and parents.

Health

The Deadly Truth About Broken Heart Syndrome in Men

Arash Emamzadeh on July 18, 2025 in Finding a New Home

Think only women get broken heart syndrome? Think again. This rare heart condition is far more deadly in men, and science is racing to understand why.

Think only women get broken heart syndrome? Think again. This rare heart condition is far more deadly in men, and science is racing to understand why.

Aging

Secrets to Happy Aging

Diana Raab Ph.D. on July 18, 2025 in The Empowerment Diary

Aging is easier for some to handle than for others. As with other life stages, much of the success has to do with having a positive attitude and being involved in the world.

Aging is easier for some to handle than for others. As with other life stages, much of the success has to do with having a positive attitude and being involved in the world.

Aging

A Move to Assisted Living Brings Up Memories of the Past

Franne Sippel Ed.D., LP on July 18, 2025 in Don't Shoot the Messenger

Personal Perspective: Are you in the process of caring for a challenging, aging parent? If so, buckle up.

Personal Perspective: Are you in the process of caring for a challenging, aging parent? If so, buckle up.

Body Image

The Top 5 Myths About Weight Loss and Mental Health

Carolyn Karoll LCSW-C, CEDS-C on July 18, 2025 in Eating Disorder Recovery

Think weight loss will fix your mental health? These 5 myths reveal why chasing thinness may be harming, not helping, your well-being.

Think weight loss will fix your mental health? These 5 myths reveal why chasing thinness may be harming, not helping, your well-being.

Law and Crime

From Bullied to Bully to Butcher

Joni E Johnston Psy.D. on July 18, 2025 in The Human Equation

Bryan Kohberger lost over 100 pounds to escape bullying, and then became a killer. Research reveals the dangerous psychology that can turn some victims into predators.

Bryan Kohberger lost over 100 pounds to escape bullying, and then became a killer. Research reveals the dangerous psychology that can turn some victims into predators.