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

Beauty

“You Look Tired”

Tara Well Ph.D. on October 7, 2026 in The Clarity

Why can one passing comment about how you look stay with you for the rest of the day?

Why can one passing comment about how you look stay with you for the rest of the day?

Empathy

A Middle Way Can Shift Systems and Attitudes

Kirk J. Schneider Ph.D. on October 7, 2026 in Awakening to Awe

Personal Perspective: We may have become cynical about hate and polarization, but there may be a vibrant middle way.

Personal Perspective: We may have become cynical about hate and polarization, but there may be a vibrant middle way.

Leadership

Connection Is the Heart of Thriving Teams and Culture

Jamie Shapiro Ph.D. on October 7, 2026 in Well-being Is Foundational of Leadership

Recent research findings reveal that connection is the superpower for improving team cohesion and culture.

Recent research findings reveal that connection is the superpower for improving team cohesion and culture.

Autism

Thriving With Adult Pathological Demand Avoidance

Patty Laushman on October 7, 2026 in Overcoming Failure to Launch in Autistic Emerging Adults

Adults with PDA autism can build fulfilling lives through self-acceptance, low-demand environments, and strategies that honor their need for autonomy and control.

Adults with PDA autism can build fulfilling lives through self-acceptance, low-demand environments, and strategies that honor their need for autonomy and control.

Narcissism

The Psychology of Narcissism Versus Healthy Self-Esteem

Lynn Margolies Ph.D. on October 7, 2026 in Therapy Insider

Learn the dangers of too much confidence and how to tell the difference between narcissism and healthy self-esteem.

Learn the dangers of too much confidence and how to tell the difference between narcissism and healthy self-esteem.

Sleep

Nutritional Lithium Orotate for Deeper Sleep

James M. Greenblatt M.D. on October 7, 2026 in Psychiatry Redefined

Nutritional lithium orotate may deepen sleep by supporting melatonin, easing stress, boosting GABA, and improving slow‑wave restoration—helping your brain reset for healthier days.

Nutritional lithium orotate may deepen sleep by supporting melatonin, easing stress, boosting GABA, and improving slow‑wave restoration—helping your brain reset for healthier days.

Infertility

The Psychology of “Maybe This Month”

Elizabeth A. Grill Psy. D. on October 7, 2026 in Beyond the Womb

Infertility can feel like an endless cycle of hope and heartbreak. Understanding the psychology of waiting, uncertainty, and grief can help people hold on to hope while living in the present.

Infertility can feel like an endless cycle of hope and heartbreak. Understanding the psychology of waiting, uncertainty, and grief can help people hold on to hope while living in the present.

Artificial Intelligence

Can We Overcome the Doom of Optimization?

Cornelia C. Walther Ph.D. on October 7, 2026 in Harnessing Hybrid Intelligence

Optimization eliminates friction and comes with the promise of convenience. But polished outputs are bound toward the highest common denominator. Yet we are not doomed to average.

Optimization eliminates friction and comes with the promise of convenience. But polished outputs are bound toward the highest common denominator. Yet we are not doomed to average.

Relationships

Living With a Needy Partner

Daniel S. Lobel Ph.D. on October 7, 2026 in My Side of the Couch

Is your relationship with your partner draining and depleting? You may risk losing yourself and your relationship if you don't rebalance it.

Is your relationship with your partner draining and depleting? You may risk losing yourself and your relationship if you don't rebalance it.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Didn't Write This Post

Arthur Dobrin D.S.W. on October 7, 2026 in Am I Right?

Artificial intelligence has made plagiarism easier than ever. It is now used by students and faculty alike. We need a discussion about its use, not condemnation.

Artificial intelligence has made plagiarism easier than ever. It is now used by students and faculty alike. We need a discussion about its use, not condemnation.

Imagination

When Imagination Triggers Real Terror

Tom Bunn L.C.S.W. on October 7, 2026 in Conquer Fear Of Flying

If what happened on the FlyDubai flight is freaking you out, what can you do about? How can you keep it from traumatizing you?

If what happened on the FlyDubai flight is freaking you out, what can you do about? How can you keep it from traumatizing you?

Sex

Does Child Sexual Abuse Ruin Women for Partner Sex for Life?

Michael Castleman M.A. on October 6, 2026 in All About Sex

The myth is that survivors of child sexual abuse may be sexually impaired for life. Actually, healing is possible—if survivors embrace one particular type of therapy.

The myth is that survivors of child sexual abuse may be sexually impaired for life. Actually, healing is possible—if survivors embrace one particular type of therapy.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Is Here: What Therapists Can Do Now

Amir Levine Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in Things to Consider

More clients are asking AI for help before they call a therapist. Here's how to meet that with curiosity, set boundaries, and keep the human heart of therapy at the center.

More clients are asking AI for help before they call a therapist. Here's how to meet that with curiosity, set boundaries, and keep the human heart of therapy at the center.

Boundaries

When Someone Won’t Change: What Can You Do?

Sharon Martin, DSW, LCSW on October 6, 2026 in Conquering Codependency

When someone won’t change, you still have choices. Learn how healthy boundaries can help you both communicate your needs and focus on what you can control.

When someone won’t change, you still have choices. Learn how healthy boundaries can help you both communicate your needs and focus on what you can control.

Leadership

U.S. Perception of Government Corruption Soars

Debbie Peterson on October 6, 2026 in Where Women Govern

Social psychologists offer new research on corruption-busting.

Social psychologists offer new research on corruption-busting.

Parenting

Talking to Kids About Politics

Erin Pahlke Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in Diverse Development

With the upcoming midterms, politics is front and center in the U.S. For parents, now is a good time to consider whether—and if so, how—to discuss politics with children.

With the upcoming midterms, politics is front and center in the U.S. For parents, now is a good time to consider whether—and if so, how—to discuss politics with children.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting, Self-Blame, and Depression Among Chinese Youth

Willis Klein BSc. on October 6, 2026 in Gaslighting, Attachment, and Reality

Recent research into gaslighting in parent-child relationships examines whether self-blame explains the link between gaslighting and depression.

Recent research into gaslighting in parent-child relationships examines whether self-blame explains the link between gaslighting and depression.

Depression

Your SAD Toolkit: Preventing Seasonal Depression This Winter

Annie Mueller Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in Mind in the Mountains

Are you ready for the big dark? Winter can bring about seasonal mood changes and low energy. Taking concrete action steps for coping can help stave off depressive symptoms.

Are you ready for the big dark? Winter can bring about seasonal mood changes and low energy. Taking concrete action steps for coping can help stave off depressive symptoms.

Parenting

Don't Create a Monster: Curating Accountability in Your Child

Erin Leonard Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in Peaceful Parenting

Parents want their children to be accountable, resilient, and successful. Yet mistaking sympathy for empathy can prevent your child from acquiring these important qualities.

Parents want their children to be accountable, resilient, and successful. Yet mistaking sympathy for empathy can prevent your child from acquiring these important qualities.

Relationships

Why Gen Z Doesn’t Answer the Phone

Sophie Riegel on October 6, 2026 in Mind The (Generation) Gap

Frustrated that the young people in your life won't answer your calls? Here's what a phone call feels like to Gen Z, and a compromise worth trying.

Frustrated that the young people in your life won't answer your calls? Here's what a phone call feels like to Gen Z, and a compromise worth trying.

Resilience

The Problem With Resilience

Tara Ceranic Salinas, Ph.D., and Ed Love Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in The Problem With...

Prescribing resilience for burnout shifts the cost of overwork to employees. Wellness perks are flags on a sinking ship. Organizations need to fix the hull, not blame the crew.

Prescribing resilience for burnout shifts the cost of overwork to employees. Wellness perks are flags on a sinking ship. Organizations need to fix the hull, not blame the crew.

Synchronicity

Synchronicity: Coincidence or Clue?

Christine Louise Hohlbaum on October 6, 2026 in The Power of Slow

Have you ever thought of someone just before they called? Carl Jung called such meaningful coincidences synchronicity. Could they reveal clues about where life is leading you?

Have you ever thought of someone just before they called? Carl Jung called such meaningful coincidences synchronicity. Could they reveal clues about where life is leading you?

Religion

How Christian Therapists Use Spirituality in Couples Therapy

P. Scott Richards Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in Dissent From Freud

What happens when couples bring spirituality into therapy? A study reveals how therapists used hope, prayer, and forgiveness while respecting clients' spiritual preferences.

What happens when couples bring spirituality into therapy? A study reveals how therapists used hope, prayer, and forgiveness while respecting clients' spiritual preferences.

Executive Function

Your Phone Should Work for You, Not Against You

Liz Nissim Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in Special Matters

Reorganizing apps on phones and other devices can help students manage tasks and maintain focus.

Reorganizing apps on phones and other devices can help students manage tasks and maintain focus.

Friends

Disenfranchised Grief: When a Friend Dies

Terri Apter Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in Domestic Intelligence

Grief at the loss of a friend can occur at any age, but older people are especially vulnerable to the little-understood impact of this loss.

Grief at the loss of a friend can occur at any age, but older people are especially vulnerable to the little-understood impact of this loss.

Forgiveness

Should You Forgive? How One Novel Answers That Question

Heather Rose Artushin MSW, LISW-CP on October 6, 2026 in Well Read

Unforgiveness can be protective, yet research shows that holding a grudge can be detrimental to our wellbeing. Here's what forgiveness really means, with author Imbolo Mbue.

Unforgiveness can be protective, yet research shows that holding a grudge can be detrimental to our wellbeing. Here's what forgiveness really means, with author Imbolo Mbue.

Parenting

When Things Between Mom and Dad Are Bad: What to Say

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on October 6, 2026 in Facing Life's Challenges

Parents have difficulties with each other. Children sense this upset. It is best to tell them, even hard truths, rather than leave them imagining what might be going on.

Parents have difficulties with each other. Children sense this upset. It is best to tell them, even hard truths, rather than leave them imagining what might be going on.

Emotional Labor

A Timeline of Emotional Labor

Regina F. Lark, Ph.D. on October 6, 2026 in What We Carry

From medieval taverns to modern workplaces, women have long been expected to manage everyone’s emotions. Why is that work still largely invisible?

From medieval taverns to modern workplaces, women have long been expected to manage everyone’s emotions. Why is that work still largely invisible?

Identity

The Thing About Things: Self-Expression and Belonging

Stacy Feiner Psy.D. on October 6, 2026 in From Theory to Practice

Explore the surprising relationship between wealth, identity, and belonging, and what happens when having more starts to change what we think we need.

Explore the surprising relationship between wealth, identity, and belonging, and what happens when having more starts to change what we think we need.