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

Pregnancy

Pregnant? What Your Therapist Should Be Asking

Laura Federico, LCSW, CST on December 11, 2025 in Identity in Disruption

I began noticing a pattern: clients who were six to 12 months postpartum were coming into session describing unexpected shifts in mood and anxiety.

I began noticing a pattern: clients who were six to 12 months postpartum were coming into session describing unexpected shifts in mood and anxiety.

Grief

Why the Holidays Can Awaken Grief for Who We Used to Be

Shahrzad Jalali, Psy.D. on December 11, 2025 in Body-Based Psychology

Holiday moments can unexpectedly stir grief—not only for people who are gone, but for past versions of ourselves we no longer inhabit.

Holiday moments can unexpectedly stir grief—not only for people who are gone, but for past versions of ourselves we no longer inhabit.

Leadership

Why Lakers’ Luka Dončić Is a "Positive Instigator"

Chitra Ragavan on December 11, 2025 in Positive Instigation 

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić offers important lessons on and off the court as a positive instigator, with grace, humor, humility, and elite performance.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić offers important lessons on and off the court as a positive instigator, with grace, humor, humility, and elite performance.

Jealousy

Jealousy Is Not Affection

Danielle Sandalic on December 11, 2025 in Tough Choices

As 16 Days of Activism draws to a close it's time to review the signs of intimate partner violence. Roughly 1 in 3 women worldwide have been victims at some point.

As 16 Days of Activism draws to a close it's time to review the signs of intimate partner violence. Roughly 1 in 3 women worldwide have been victims at some point.

Alcoholism

5 (More) Ways to Control Your Drinking This Holiday Season

Ian McLoone LPCC, LADC on December 11, 2025 in Demystifying Addiction

You don't need to skip the festivities to stay in control. These evidence-based strategies can help you moderate your drinking while fully enjoying the holidays.

You don't need to skip the festivities to stay in control. These evidence-based strategies can help you moderate your drinking while fully enjoying the holidays.

Motivation

Supercharge Your 2026 Self-Development

Bruce Rosenstein on December 11, 2025 in The Peter Drucker Files

Planning and achieving self-development goals can get a big boost from two books drawing on the practical wisdom of Peter Drucker.

Planning and achieving self-development goals can get a big boost from two books drawing on the practical wisdom of Peter Drucker.

Near-Death Experiences

A Peculiar Subset of Near-Death Experiences

Alexander Batthyány Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in Consciousness and Meaning at Life’s End

Some near-death experiences present unusual features, such as encounters with people not known to have died. We are collecting well-documented cases for systematic study.

Some near-death experiences present unusual features, such as encounters with people not known to have died. We are collecting well-documented cases for systematic study.

Relationships

Make This Holiday Season Sexy

Cheryl Fraser Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in Falling in Love Is Easy

The holiday season may feel like a time of stress and tension but these tips can help you make romance and connection your gift to each other.

The holiday season may feel like a time of stress and tension but these tips can help you make romance and connection your gift to each other.

Awe

Building Your Social Life With Wonder and Curiosity

Val Walker MS on December 11, 2025 in 400 Friends but Who Can I Call?

We can break through social anxiety and isolation by sharing awe and wonder with others who are wowed by the same things we are.

We can break through social anxiety and isolation by sharing awe and wonder with others who are wowed by the same things we are.

Behavioral Economics

The Drama of the Reluctant Executioner

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in One Among Many

Third-party punishers are caught in a dilemma because they themselves can be judged and punished.

Third-party punishers are caught in a dilemma because they themselves can be judged and punished.

Workplace Dynamics

The Upside of Arguing at Work

Andy Lopata on December 11, 2025 in Connected Leadership

Avoiding conflict at work may feel easier, but silence can quietly damage trust, morale, and team performance. Here's why constructive disagreement is essential.

Avoiding conflict at work may feel easier, but silence can quietly damage trust, morale, and team performance. Here's why constructive disagreement is essential.

ADHD

Debunking 3 Common ADHD Myths

Amy Marschall, Psy.D. on December 11, 2025 in Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy

Challenge popular myths surrounding ADHD to gain insights into this misunderstood condition.

Challenge popular myths surrounding ADHD to gain insights into this misunderstood condition.

Psychopharmacology

Prescribing Psychology Is Undergoing Rapid Expansion

Carrie H. Kennedy Ph.D., ABPP on December 11, 2025 in Alpha Blog Charlie

Prescribing psychology is now a viable career option for psychologists and is poised to make a difference in mental health access to care.

Prescribing psychology is now a viable career option for psychologists and is poised to make a difference in mental health access to care.

Intellectualization

Why Knowing Everything Keeps You From Feeling Anything

Trisha Wolfe Ph.D., LPCC-S on December 11, 2025 in Tiny Sparks, Big Changes

You know why you do what you do. So why are you still doing it? The hidden cost of knowing everything.

You know why you do what you do. So why are you still doing it? The hidden cost of knowing everything.

Social Life

L’Esprit de l’Escalier: Staircase Wit

Maggie Rowe on December 11, 2025 in Bodhisattva Wannabe

Ah, you've come up with the perfect line! Everybody at the party is going to be so impressed with you. The only problem: The party is over.

Ah, you've come up with the perfect line! Everybody at the party is going to be so impressed with you. The only problem: The party is over.

Psychiatry

Is This Mental Health Prevention or Treatment?

David Rettew M.D. on December 11, 2025 in ABCs of Child Psychiatry

A lot of mental health disorder prevention efforts can look a lot like treatment. Does it matter?

A lot of mental health disorder prevention efforts can look a lot like treatment. Does it matter?

Therapy

Overcoming Fear of Therapy

Georgia Witkin Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in The Chronicles of Infertility

Despite some common myths and misconceptions, psychotherapy is nothing to fear.

Despite some common myths and misconceptions, psychotherapy is nothing to fear.

Relationships

The Holiday Ex Effect

Chandra Estelle Khalifian, Ph.D. and Kayla Knopp, Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in Expansive Relationships

Holiday nostalgia, loneliness, and stress can make us want to text an ex. Learn how to tell genuine desire for reconnection from a seasonal impulse.

Holiday nostalgia, loneliness, and stress can make us want to text an ex. Learn how to tell genuine desire for reconnection from a seasonal impulse.

Mating

What the ‘Chair Theory’ Says About Dating and Relationships

Bruce Y. Lee M.D., M.B.A. on December 11, 2025 in A Funny Bone to Pick

The so-called "Chair Theory" has been trending on social media as a way of testing whether your significant other or friends truly care about you. But does this test have legs?

The so-called "Chair Theory" has been trending on social media as a way of testing whether your significant other or friends truly care about you. But does this test have legs?

Aging

Seeking Counseling During Retirement

Michael Shelton MS, LPC on December 11, 2025 in Sex Life of the American Male

Too many of us are struggling during retirement but would rather suffer in silence than seek professional help.

Too many of us are struggling during retirement but would rather suffer in silence than seek professional help.

Relationships

Feeling Unheard? Here's How to  Bridge Gaps in Everyday Chats

Matthew Legge on December 11, 2025 in Are We Done Fighting?

Feeling unheard? Try these evidence-based tips to close the misunderstanding gap and turn frustrating talks into breakthroughs.

Feeling unheard? Try these evidence-based tips to close the misunderstanding gap and turn frustrating talks into breakthroughs.

Emotional Validation

The Psychology of Feeling Heard

Kim Samuel on December 11, 2025 in The Power of Belonging

People are yearning for the experience of being understood. Satisfying this need is key to healing an age of anger and isolation.

People are yearning for the experience of being understood. Satisfying this need is key to healing an age of anger and isolation.

Philosophy

What Plato Understood About Your Deepest Beliefs

Chester H. Sunde, Psy.D. on December 11, 2025 in Platonic Psychology

Cognitive therapy identifies core beliefs. But how do you evaluate them? Plato offered a criterion sharper than "adaptive," one that clinicians can use today.

Cognitive therapy identifies core beliefs. But how do you evaluate them? Plato offered a criterion sharper than "adaptive," one that clinicians can use today.

Relationships

You Don’t Have to Be Fully Healed to Love Again

Claudia Six Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in It's Never About Sex

You don’t need to be “fully healed” to love again. Healing happens in relationship when you notice patterns, stay true to yourself, and choose presence over perfection.

You don’t need to be “fully healed” to love again. Healing happens in relationship when you notice patterns, stay true to yourself, and choose presence over perfection.

Loneliness

Reconnecting Our Communities

Tyler J. VanderWeele Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in Human Flourishing

Some neglected aspects of "our epidemic of loneliness and isolation."

Some neglected aspects of "our epidemic of loneliness and isolation."

Parenting

18 Mental-Health Discussion Starters for Kids Home From College

Mia Nosanow MA, LP on December 11, 2025 in College Mental Health

Showing genuine care for students’ mental health—and asking open, respectful questions at the right time—can build trust and connection.

Showing genuine care for students’ mental health—and asking open, respectful questions at the right time—can build trust and connection.

Friends

Going Home for the Holidays? 5 Tips to Make the Trip More Fun

Geoffrey Greif Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in Buddy System

You can minimize conflict and maximize joy during the holidays by being prepared and taking a breath.

You can minimize conflict and maximize joy during the holidays by being prepared and taking a breath.

Trauma

7 Lessons a Hitman Teaches Us About Violence and Healing

Sigifredo Castell Britton Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in Emotional Origins of Violence

A restorative encounter uncovers the hidden wounds behind a violent life and what it truly takes to begin healing.

A restorative encounter uncovers the hidden wounds behind a violent life and what it truly takes to begin healing.

Happiness

3 Proven Habits That Boost Happiness Fast

Emma Seppälä Ph.D. on December 11, 2025 in Feeling It

Three irrefutably powerful, science-backed methods can lift your spirits and enhance resilience even in tough times.

Three irrefutably powerful, science-backed methods can lift your spirits and enhance resilience even in tough times.