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Relationships

How Stopping to Smell the Roses Benefits Relationships

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Darwin's Subterranean World

Stopping to smell the roses has been shown to be associated with well-being. When both members of a couple have this capacity, the relationship is often set up for success.

Stopping to smell the roses has been shown to be associated with well-being. When both members of a couple have this capacity, the relationship is often set up for success.

Confidence

Growing Confidence Through Action

Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Science of Choice

When you confront your worst fear, it usually goes away and becomes less intimidating.

When you confront your worst fear, it usually goes away and becomes less intimidating.

Adolescence

Listening to Teens Can Save Lives

Julie Baron LCSW-C on May 4, 2026 in Parenting Teens Through Connection

There are many factors that affect youth mental health. Data suggests that listening by supportive figures and caring adults can improve mental health and save lives.

There are many factors that affect youth mental health. Data suggests that listening by supportive figures and caring adults can improve mental health and save lives.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

The Model Minority Myth Is Also a Money Story

Huong Diep Psy.D., ABPP, CFT on May 4, 2026 in Unscripted

Success can look stable on paper, but still feel uneasy. The model minority myth shapes money and pressure and explains why financial stress isn’t always about not having enough.

Success can look stable on paper, but still feel uneasy. The model minority myth shapes money and pressure and explains why financial stress isn’t always about not having enough.

Sex

Understanding Sexual Shame

Nicholas Balaisis Ph.D., RP on May 4, 2026 in Our Devices, Our Selves

Do you feel like your whole sexual self? If the answer is no, this could help explain why.

Do you feel like your whole sexual self? If the answer is no, this could help explain why.

Moral Injury

When the Soul Says No

Radhule B. Weininger M.D., Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Heart Medicine for a Changing World

Moral distress and moral injury describe the suffering that arises when our sense of right and wrong, in goodness itself, is deeply violated.

Moral distress and moral injury describe the suffering that arises when our sense of right and wrong, in goodness itself, is deeply violated.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The Psychology of Free Speech

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Happiness and the Pursuit of Leadership

Free speech isn’t just political—it’s essential to mental health. A free speech culture strengthens cognitive resilience, emotional regulation, and psychological growth.

Free speech isn’t just political—it’s essential to mental health. A free speech culture strengthens cognitive resilience, emotional regulation, and psychological growth.

Conscientiousness

What Does "High Maintenance" Actually Mean?

Robert N. Kraft Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Defining Memories

What behaviors and tendencies make certain people seem "high maintenance," and how can we manage them—both with others and within ourselves?

What behaviors and tendencies make certain people seem "high maintenance," and how can we manage them—both with others and within ourselves?

Health

Three Things to Know Before a Medical Procedure

Barbara Greenberg Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in The Teen Doctor

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions about your procedure.

Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions about your procedure.

Ethics and Morality

Why Asking “What Should I Do?” Is (Almost) Never Helpful

Ira Bedzow Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Life, Well Lived

Personal Perspective: Asking “what should I do?” rarely motivates action. Change comes from reflecting on what you want and aligning decisions with the person you want to become.

Personal Perspective: Asking “what should I do?” rarely motivates action. Change comes from reflecting on what you want and aligning decisions with the person you want to become.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Levels Over Labels: The Borderline Personality Organization

Irene Hurford MD on May 4, 2026 in Reality in Dialogue

For someone living with borderline personality, others in their orbit are either idealized or vilified, and these splits can vacillate quickly.

For someone living with borderline personality, others in their orbit are either idealized or vilified, and these splits can vacillate quickly.

Parenting

A Preteen Trapped in the Crossfire Between Separated Parents

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Maternal Ambivalence

There's a strong likelihood that this communication, or some version of it, is being played out at this very moment hundreds of times across the world.

There's a strong likelihood that this communication, or some version of it, is being played out at this very moment hundreds of times across the world.

Fear

Working with Fears of Death

Hilary Jacobs Hendel LCSW on May 4, 2026 in Emotion as Information

Do you ever have thoughts about dying?

Do you ever have thoughts about dying?

Parenting

Control Versus Connection in Parenting and Teaching

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in The Science of Self

We try to make things better with control when we should choose connection.

We try to make things better with control when we should choose connection.

It is normal to believe that strong feelings of certainty mean that we possess the truth. Neuroscience explains why we should be cautious about strong feelings of certainty.

Family Dynamics

Supporting Siblings in Foster Care

Corinna Jenkins Tucker, Ph.D., and Tanya Rouleau Whitworth, Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in The Science of Siblings

Promoting positive sibling relationships while children are in foster care includes being intentional in supporting siblings’ development of a close bond.

Promoting positive sibling relationships while children are in foster care includes being intentional in supporting siblings’ development of a close bond.

Relationships

3 Signs That a Couple Is Drifting Apart

Mark Travers Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Social Instincts

Three things that couples stop doing in their relationship before drifting apart.

Three things that couples stop doing in their relationship before drifting apart.

Trauma

You Can Still Heal a Painful Past—Even If You Don't Call It "Abuse"

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on May 4, 2026 in Invisible Bruises

Struggling to call your past “abuse”? You’re not alone. But you can acknowledge harm and begin healing without forcing a label you’re not ready to use. Here is how.

Struggling to call your past “abuse”? You’re not alone. But you can acknowledge harm and begin healing without forcing a label you’re not ready to use. Here is how.

Complex PTSD

When Miscarriage Doesn't Feel Real

Meg LeDuc on May 4, 2026 in The Lives We Don’t See

Personal Perspective: I didn’t just lose a hoped-for pregnancy—I lost my ability to feel loss. Trauma made grief confusing and inaccessible, but mindfulness returned me to my body.

Personal Perspective: I didn’t just lose a hoped-for pregnancy—I lost my ability to feel loss. Trauma made grief confusing and inaccessible, but mindfulness returned me to my body.

Relationships

When Love Turns Bitter—But Doesn’t End

Aaron Ben-Zeév Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in In the Name of Love

Hating the one you love is not logically contradictory, but it often creates psychological tension that can undermine the health and durability of a romantic relationship.

Hating the one you love is not logically contradictory, but it often creates psychological tension that can undermine the health and durability of a romantic relationship.

Personal Perspectives

The Art of Wu Wei

Maggie Rowe on May 4, 2026 in Bodhisattva Wannabe

Personal Perspective: What if the moment you give up control is the moment everything starts to work?

Personal Perspective: What if the moment you give up control is the moment everything starts to work?

Borderline Personality Disorder

Recovery for BPD Doesn’t Have to Take Years

Shannon Sauer-Zavala Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Self: Made

For BPD Awareness Month, a look at how far the field has come: BPD is now one of the most treatable conditions in psychiatry—and the care is getting more accessible.

For BPD Awareness Month, a look at how far the field has come: BPD is now one of the most treatable conditions in psychiatry—and the care is getting more accessible.

Friends

How to Recover After a Friend Betrays You

Kristin Meekhof on May 4, 2026 in A Widow's Guide to Healing

Did your friend betray you, and you're wondering how they can live with themselves? The answer may surprise you.

Did your friend betray you, and you're wondering how they can live with themselves? The answer may surprise you.

Mating

I Thought I Was a 'Later Dater' Expert—But I Was Wrong

Diane N Solomon Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in The Narrative Nurse Practitioner

It’s been seven years since my divorce. I’ve gone on more than 100 first dates. I try to normalize my dating foibles, cringeworthy as they may be. If I can do this, so can you.

It’s been seven years since my divorce. I’ve gone on more than 100 first dates. I try to normalize my dating foibles, cringeworthy as they may be. If I can do this, so can you.

Artificial Intelligence

AI Won’t Be Conscious, But That’s Not the Problem

John Nosta on May 4, 2026 in The Digital Self

Artificial intelligence won't take your mind. It will just make you forget you had one.

Artificial intelligence won't take your mind. It will just make you forget you had one.

Anxiety

Should You Stop Listening to Your Body So Much?

Bonnie Zucker Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Liberate Yourself

Paying close attention to your body might sound like self-care. For anxious people, it can be anything but that.

Paying close attention to your body might sound like self-care. For anxious people, it can be anything but that.

Parenting

Does Your Child Compare Themself Negatively to Other Kids?

Elena Lister, MD and Michael Schwartzman, Ph.D., ABPP on May 4, 2026 in Facing Life's Challenges

Many children go through a time when they feel inferior. Here are some thoughtful and simple steps to address the causes of children putting themselves down.

Many children go through a time when they feel inferior. Here are some thoughtful and simple steps to address the causes of children putting themselves down.

Adolescence

How a Teen’s Mind Works

Evan Shopper on May 4, 2026 in A Deep Dive Into Narratives

Teens and their behaviors make more sense when we understand their developmental needs and internal conflicts. Here’s what’s actually happening, and how parents can help.

Teens and their behaviors make more sense when we understand their developmental needs and internal conflicts. Here’s what’s actually happening, and how parents can help.

Emotional Intelligence

Do These 5 Things to Increase Your Emotional Intelligence

Jonice Webb Ph.D. on May 4, 2026 in Childhood Emotional Neglect

Emotional intelligence shapes how you feel, connect, and make decisions. Learn why it may feel difficult and how to start building this essential life skill.

Emotional intelligence shapes how you feel, connect, and make decisions. Learn why it may feel difficult and how to start building this essential life skill.