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

Artificial Intelligence

A Study of 26,000 Students Shows the AI Learning Trap

Soren Kaplan Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in The Power of Experience

A study of 26,000 students found AI boosted homework scores while eroding exam performance. The AI trap responsible may be at play in your own life.

A study of 26,000 students found AI boosted homework scores while eroding exam performance. The AI trap responsible may be at play in your own life.

Creativity

Memoir as Medicine: Writing to Heal

Diana Raab Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in The Empowerment Diary

Writing our stories can be healing, especially if we've encountered trauma. Writing your own emotional truth is important.

Writing our stories can be healing, especially if we've encountered trauma. Writing your own emotional truth is important.

Personal Perspectives

Why Wait? Wear the Shoes Now

Barbara A Jaffe Ed.D. on June 25, 2026 in Journey to Healing

Personal Perspective: Sometimes I get comments that I look too fancy when I go to the market. If I don’t wear special items today, when I want to, when will I?

Personal Perspective: Sometimes I get comments that I look too fancy when I go to the market. If I don’t wear special items today, when I want to, when will I?

Relationships

Why Feeling Safe Can Be Complicated for Queer People

Denise Renye, Psy.D. on June 25, 2026 in Between Insight and Instinct

Despite being out and proud as an adult, if you had damaging experiences growing up, those wounds can stay with you until they’re examined and healed.

Despite being out and proud as an adult, if you had damaging experiences growing up, those wounds can stay with you until they’re examined and healed.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

4 Types of Present-but-Absent Fathers

Bridgette Peteet Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in When Family Hurts

Not all father wounds come from absence. Some come from fathers who were there, but emotionally unreachable.

Not all father wounds come from absence. Some come from fathers who were there, but emotionally unreachable.

Self-Help

The Four R’s of Nervous System Recovery

Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Ed.D. on June 25, 2026 in Everyday Resilience

If you've been feeling weary, overwhelmed, or disconnected, your nervous system may not be asking for more effort. It may be asking for recovery.

If you've been feeling weary, overwhelmed, or disconnected, your nervous system may not be asking for more effort. It may be asking for recovery.

Dreaming

What a Nightmare's Spectrum of Fear Can Reveal

Layne Dalfen on June 25, 2026 in Understanding Dreams

Escalating nighttime terror can motivate the dreamer and help de-escalate a difficult problem in waking life.

Escalating nighttime terror can motivate the dreamer and help de-escalate a difficult problem in waking life.

Narcissism

When Narcissists Accuse You of Being Manipulative

Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in Here, There, and Everywhere

Narcissists often falsely accuse others of manipulation. Discover the true difference between healthy, strategic communication and tactics meant to control and punish others.

Narcissists often falsely accuse others of manipulation. Discover the true difference between healthy, strategic communication and tactics meant to control and punish others.

Relationships

Why Men Pull Away When They're Struggling

Loren Soeiro, Ph.D. ABPP on June 25, 2026 in I Hear You

Most men don't retreat into silence to be hurtful; they were raised that way. Understanding why—and knowing the cost of silence—helps change it.

Most men don't retreat into silence to be hurtful; they were raised that way. Understanding why—and knowing the cost of silence—helps change it.

Relationships

Crossing Boundaries: A Cultural History of the Kiss

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on June 25, 2026 in Ataraxia

Kissing is neither universal nor timeless. Its history offers surprising insights into intimacy, culture, and human connection.

Kissing is neither universal nor timeless. Its history offers surprising insights into intimacy, culture, and human connection.

Artificial Intelligence

How AI Is Spoiling Us

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on June 25, 2026 in Intersections

When a machine tells us what we want to hear, why would we want to hear a different opinion from a human? Why have relationships at all?

When a machine tells us what we want to hear, why would we want to hear a different opinion from a human? Why have relationships at all?

Positive Psychology

'Baditude' Exposed: Negative Beliefs, Emotions, and Behaviours

Bruce Wilson Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in Explorations in Positive Psychology

Being proactive is an aptitude and an attitude. It is a way of doing and a way of thinking, which, when combined, become a way of being.

Being proactive is an aptitude and an attitude. It is a way of doing and a way of thinking, which, when combined, become a way of being.

Cognition

Exploring the Experience and Benefits of Caffeinated Coffee

Richard M Restak M.D. on June 25, 2026 in The Changing Brain

Recent research shows that caffeinated coffee provides greater cognitive benefits than decaf or tea.

Recent research shows that caffeinated coffee provides greater cognitive benefits than decaf or tea.

Schadenfreude

Understanding Passive Aggression and Schadenfreude

Loriann Oberlin MS, LCPC on June 25, 2026 in The Full Picture

Being aware of certain psychological forces can alleviate our worst fears and tell us when to disengage for our own safety.

Being aware of certain psychological forces can alleviate our worst fears and tell us when to disengage for our own safety.

Relationships

What Does Emotional Safety Actually Feel Like?

Denise Renye, Psy.D. on June 25, 2026 in Between Insight and Instinct

Emotional safety can feel unfamiliar for many, and it often feels quieter than danger. Safety involves emotional attunement, expression, and more.

Emotional safety can feel unfamiliar for many, and it often feels quieter than danger. Safety involves emotional attunement, expression, and more.

Relationships

We Finally Got Everything We Wanted—So Why Are We Fighting?

Mark B. Borg, Jr, Ph.D., and Haruna Miyamoto-Borg LCSW on June 25, 2026 in Love. Crash. Rebuild.

Many couples prepare for achieving a dream. Few prepare for what happens after they finally achieve it.

Many couples prepare for achieving a dream. Few prepare for what happens after they finally achieve it.

Flirting

The Psychology of Flirting: What Actually Works

Cathleen G Beachboard MA on June 25, 2026 in The Hopeful Brain

Most people think flirting is about confidence, good looks, or the perfect pickup line. But a study of nearly 1,000 people suggests otherwise.

Most people think flirting is about confidence, good looks, or the perfect pickup line. But a study of nearly 1,000 people suggests otherwise.

Identity

Why the Most Dangerous Words Might Be Your Own

Jasmine Mohsen Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in The Architecture of Desire

When it comes to success and personal growth, the stories you tell yourself may matter more than talent or luck.

When it comes to success and personal growth, the stories you tell yourself may matter more than talent or luck.

Relationships

Why You're Probably Not as Good a Listener as You Think

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on June 25, 2026 in Invisible Bruises

Think you’re a good listener? Research suggests most of us aren’t as skilled at listening as we believe. Conversations often fall short, but you can change that.

Think you’re a good listener? Research suggests most of us aren’t as skilled at listening as we believe. Conversations often fall short, but you can change that.

Artificial Intelligence

Hybrid FOMO: Why Are We So Afraid to Be Left Behind Amid AI?

Cornelia C. Walther Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in Harnessing Hybrid Intelligence

The fear of being left behind amid AI is also the fear of becoming mentally passive in a world that rewards acceleration. The cure for hybrid FOMO is pragmatic, starting inside.

The fear of being left behind amid AI is also the fear of becoming mentally passive in a world that rewards acceleration. The cure for hybrid FOMO is pragmatic, starting inside.

Meditation

Meditation: The Mental Edge You Didn't Know You Needed

Carrie H. Kennedy Ph.D., ABPP on June 25, 2026 in Alpha Blog Charlie

The benefits of meditation go far beyond stress reduction. It can increase cognitive performance and professional effectiveness.

The benefits of meditation go far beyond stress reduction. It can increase cognitive performance and professional effectiveness.

Depression

A New Clue Linking Depression to the Immune System

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in The Behavioral Microbiome

A study linking accelerated immune-cell aging to emotional, but not physical, depressive symptoms strengthens evidence that mind and body are deeply interconnected.

A study linking accelerated immune-cell aging to emotional, but not physical, depressive symptoms strengthens evidence that mind and body are deeply interconnected.

Personal Perspectives

A Lesson From Getting Pantsed

Sam Louie MA, LMHC, CSAT on June 25, 2026 in Minority Report

Personal Perspective: When our 10-year-old son was pantsed at school, it sparked a deeper reflection on boundaries and why learning to say “no” can change a life.

Personal Perspective: When our 10-year-old son was pantsed at school, it sparked a deeper reflection on boundaries and why learning to say “no” can change a life.

Workplace Dynamics

The Dark Side of Work Cultures

Melissa A. Wheeler Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in Ethically Speaking

When employees are too afraid to question decisions, short-term financial logic can overshadow sustainability goals.

When employees are too afraid to question decisions, short-term financial logic can overshadow sustainability goals.

Cognition

Are We Really Living in a Simulation?

Christopher Dwyer Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in Thoughts on Thinking

Heed the words of credible individuals who are experts in relevant fields, not speculative opinions because they’re popular.

Heed the words of credible individuals who are experts in relevant fields, not speculative opinions because they’re popular.

Attachment

7 Signs You're in Bed With an Avoidant Partner

Duygu Balan LPCC on June 25, 2026 in Un-Numb

Avoidant attachment often allows for physical closeness while keeping emotional intimacy at arm's length.

Avoidant attachment often allows for physical closeness while keeping emotional intimacy at arm's length.

Genetics

Genes and Size, You Can’t Turn a Labrador Into a Greyhound

Cris E. Haltom Ph.D., CEDS on June 25, 2026 in Navigating the Maze

Kristin learns from her therapist that body size is largely genetic and thinness isn’t always healthy. Her restrictive dieting harmed her health; recovery required re-nourishing.

Kristin learns from her therapist that body size is largely genetic and thinness isn’t always healthy. Her restrictive dieting harmed her health; recovery required re-nourishing.

Shame

Fathers: Looking Back Without Looking Away

Brad E Sachs Ph.D. on June 25, 2026 in Emptying The Nest

As fathers reflect on the parents they have been, the regret that they encounter can set them on a pathway toward humility, compassion, growth, and meaningful relational healing.

As fathers reflect on the parents they have been, the regret that they encounter can set them on a pathway toward humility, compassion, growth, and meaningful relational healing.

Philosophy

Phenomenology Is Based on an Error

Ira Israel LMFT on June 24, 2026 in Authenticity 101

Personal Perspective: When academics announce they are offering “a phenomenological analysis,” they may as well say they are offering “a human analysis."

Personal Perspective: When academics announce they are offering “a phenomenological analysis,” they may as well say they are offering “a human analysis."