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

Divorce

Using CARE to Promote Collaborative Co-Parenting

Jeanette Blackstone Psy.D. on January 9, 2026 in Bonus Families

Most of my clients come to me for co-parenting help, wanting to improve their communication. This is the CARE method that I recommend.

Most of my clients come to me for co-parenting help, wanting to improve their communication. This is the CARE method that I recommend.

Understanding Twins

How Twins Learn to Follow Rules and Expectations

Barbara Klein Ph.D., Ed.D. on January 9, 2026 in Twin Dilemmas

Together twins work out how to “not listen too hard” and handle expectations from authorities.

Together twins work out how to “not listen too hard” and handle expectations from authorities.

Psychosis

Environmental Triggers for Schizophrenia

Sarah Merritt Ryan M.S., CPSS on January 9, 2026 in Healing Mind

Personal Perspective: Part of my emotional recovery from schizophrenia came from identifying and addressing my environmental triggers.

Personal Perspective: Part of my emotional recovery from schizophrenia came from identifying and addressing my environmental triggers.

Pregnancy

Cannabis and Alcohol in Pregnancy

Mark S. Gold M.D. on January 9, 2026 in Addiction Outlook

Pregnant women should never consume alcohol because of the high risks to their babies and themselves. According to the experts, using cannabis or THC is not safe either.

Pregnant women should never consume alcohol because of the high risks to their babies and themselves. According to the experts, using cannabis or THC is not safe either.

Child Development

New Year, Same Us: One Headphone, One Song, One Walk Home

Sara Leila Sherman, M.M., and Morton Sherman Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Resonant Minds

Personal Perspective: A freezing walk home. One headphone. One Alicia Keys song. And suddenly, everything softened. How moments like these help children build emotional resilience.

Personal Perspective: A freezing walk home. One headphone. One Alicia Keys song. And suddenly, everything softened. How moments like these help children build emotional resilience.

Body Language

Don't Get Lost in Translation

E. Paul Zehr Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Black Belt Brain

Imagining ourselves in the shoes of the other affords necessary perspective for effective verbal, written, or physical communication exchange.

Imagining ourselves in the shoes of the other affords necessary perspective for effective verbal, written, or physical communication exchange.

Decision-Making

4 Decision Games That Changed Me

Gary Klein Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Seeing What Others Don't

More than reading about theory, actual experiences are what shape our understanding. These can be efficiently provided through scenario training such as Tactical Decision Games.

More than reading about theory, actual experiences are what shape our understanding. These can be efficiently provided through scenario training such as Tactical Decision Games.

Sexual Abuse

Do Sexual Abuse Offenders Target the Same Type of Victim?

Elizabeth L. Jeglic Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse

Research shows that not all perpetrators of sexual abuse target a single type of victim; some target victims across multiple age groups, genders, and relationships.

Research shows that not all perpetrators of sexual abuse target a single type of victim; some target victims across multiple age groups, genders, and relationships.

Habit Formation

5 Ways to Learn to Love Routines

Alice Boyes Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in In Practice

Routines aren't about optimization. They're about storytelling.

Routines aren't about optimization. They're about storytelling.

Post-Traumatic Growth

Growth Is an Unlearning Process

Mark Shelvock, RP, MACP, MA on January 9, 2026 in Navigating the Serpentine Path

Why growth isn’t about becoming more.

Why growth isn’t about becoming more.

Academic Problems and Skills

How to Set Up a Better Spring Semester for College Students

Rob Danzman NCC, LCMHC on January 9, 2026 in Campus Crunch

Strategic guidance for parents to help college students reduce anxiety, stay organized, and build a better semester from start to finish.

Strategic guidance for parents to help college students reduce anxiety, stay organized, and build a better semester from start to finish.

Positive Psychology

Today Is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

David Berez MAPP, DRE on January 9, 2026 in Positive Psychology for Law Enforcement

On this Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, let's consider what it means to appreciate someone for their selfless service and sacrifice.

On this Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, let's consider what it means to appreciate someone for their selfless service and sacrifice.

Aging

6 Ways Getting Older Might Surprise You: Think Junior High

Gina Barreca Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Snow White Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Rejection does not become easier to handle. Aging can, and often does, increase a person’s anxiety and FOMO. What is our fear of death if not the biggest FOMO of them all?

Rejection does not become easier to handle. Aging can, and often does, increase a person’s anxiety and FOMO. What is our fear of death if not the biggest FOMO of them all?

Therapy

How Therapists Can Advocate for Black Women’s Health

​LaNail R. Plummer, Ed.D., LCPC on January 9, 2026 in The Essential Guide for Counseling Black Women

Personal Perspective: How to advocate for physical health from the therapeutic chair.

Personal Perspective: How to advocate for physical health from the therapeutic chair.

Mindfulness

When You Know Better but Do It Anyway

Jordan Fiorillo Scotti Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Buddhist Psychology: East Meets West

We all occasionally act in ways that go against our inner wisdom. Learning to regulate and practice self-compassion can decrease instances of such unskillful behavior.

We all occasionally act in ways that go against our inner wisdom. Learning to regulate and practice self-compassion can decrease instances of such unskillful behavior.

Health

A Virus Is Rising Exponentially This Month

Chris Gilbert, M.D., Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Heal the Mind to Heal the Body

Which virus promises to be the worst in years this January? Why is this virus spreading fast, and what can we do to protect ourselves?

Which virus promises to be the worst in years this January? Why is this virus spreading fast, and what can we do to protect ourselves?

Mental Health Stigma

The Psychology of Intersex Rights and Well-Being

Mindbridge Center on January 9, 2026 in Human Rights Defenders

Why intersex well-being depends less on biology and more on stigma, autonomy, and connection, and what that means for families, clinicians, and policy.

Why intersex well-being depends less on biology and more on stigma, autonomy, and connection, and what that means for families, clinicians, and policy.

Masking

Masking as an Evolutionary Advantage

Hari Srinivasan on January 9, 2026 in Giving Voice

Autistic masking may be an evolved survival response to social risk: useful for belonging, but costly when sustained over a lifetime.

Autistic masking may be an evolved survival response to social risk: useful for belonging, but costly when sustained over a lifetime.

Education

Why We Need to Talk

Deborah J. Cohan Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Social Lights

College is a pivotal time for learning to engage in difficult conversations. Here's why.

College is a pivotal time for learning to engage in difficult conversations. Here's why.

Growth Mindset

New Year, Not a New You

Duygu Balan LPCC on January 9, 2026 in Un-Numb

Learn why the pressure to “reinvent yourself” in January often backfires, how shame-based change doesn't work, and what to try instead.

Learn why the pressure to “reinvent yourself” in January often backfires, how shame-based change doesn't work, and what to try instead.

Artificial Intelligence

How to Stop Panicking About Your Job in the Age of AI

Benjamin Laker Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Mindful Leadership

AI is moving faster than most careers can adapt. Learn how to regain psychological stability, agency, and momentum without waiting for clarity or certainty.

AI is moving faster than most careers can adapt. Learn how to regain psychological stability, agency, and momentum without waiting for clarity or certainty.

Self-Help

Six Steps to Map Out the Life You Truly Want

Megan Dalla-Camina on January 9, 2026 in Real Women

Stop chasing more goals. Learn how to map a life that fits your values, season, and well-being with six simple steps and a practical 90-day plan.

Stop chasing more goals. Learn how to map a life that fits your values, season, and well-being with six simple steps and a practical 90-day plan.

Infertility

Worrisome Thoughts About Sex During Donor Conception

S. Fenella Das Gupta Ph.D., MFT on January 9, 2026 in Creating 2 Pink Lines

If donor profiles have stirred thoughts about sex you don’t recognize, you’re not alone. These reactions are common, human, and rooted in grief—not desire.

If donor profiles have stirred thoughts about sex you don’t recognize, you’re not alone. These reactions are common, human, and rooted in grief—not desire.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

The Psychology of Gift-Giving

Nigel R. Bairstow Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Disconnection Dynamics

From ancient rituals to global diplomacy, explore how thoughtful gift-giving shapes trust, power, and connection, especially across Asian and Western cultures.

From ancient rituals to global diplomacy, explore how thoughtful gift-giving shapes trust, power, and connection, especially across Asian and Western cultures.

Sleep

5 Compatibilities That Happy Couples Share

Mark Travers Ph.D. on January 9, 2026 in Social Instincts

Micro‑patterns of daily life that allow couples to co‑regulate more effectively.

Micro‑patterns of daily life that allow couples to co‑regulate more effectively.

Attention

Why People Obey Systems They Know Are Wrong

Shermin Kruse J.D. on January 8, 2026 in The Stoic Heart, the Human Whole

What if obedience has less to do with belief and more to do with how tired people have become?

What if obedience has less to do with belief and more to do with how tired people have become?

Parenting

5 Positive Parenting Strategies That Support Your Goals

Jen Lumanlan M.S., M.Ed. on January 8, 2026 in Parenting Beyond Power

Understanding needs-based goals matters. But understanding alone doesn't help when your child refuses shoes and you're late. You need strategies that work in the moment.

Understanding needs-based goals matters. But understanding alone doesn't help when your child refuses shoes and you're late. You need strategies that work in the moment.

Narcissism

Toxic Positivity as a Mask in Covert Narcissism

Annie Tanasugarn Ph.D., CCTSA on January 8, 2026 in Understanding PTSD

In covert narcissism, toxic positivity serves an important function of escape/avoidance where vulnerable emotions and conflict are minimized and downplayed.

In covert narcissism, toxic positivity serves an important function of escape/avoidance where vulnerable emotions and conflict are minimized and downplayed.

Confidence

Why “Confidence” Is the Wrong Goal

Chris Tompkins on January 8, 2026 in LGBTQ Affirmative Psychology

What we often misunderstand about confidence—and how understanding your nervous system can help.

What we often misunderstand about confidence—and how understanding your nervous system can help.