Are Therapists Behind the Rise in Family Estrangements?
Source: SHVETS / Pexels As family estrangement gets more media attention, some have suggested that therapists are causing—or at least encouraging—many of these family cutoffs. This criticism has been made of adult children’s therapists by the media (see Barry, 2024), estranged parents, and their therapists and advocates. Yet while it’s true that some adults decide […]
What is “Healthy” Spirituality or Religion?
As a psychologist, I am a scientist of human behavior. I am accountable to what can be understood scientifically through empiricism. And yet empiricism is not the only method we use to explore reality. Michael Polanyi, a philosopher of science, introduced the concept of “personal knowledge,” arguing that personal experiences and intuition also play a […]
The Hidden Mental Health Costs of Dieting
In a world where dieting is often seen as a quick path to better health or improved self-esteem due to weight loss, the Mental health consequences of dieting are not often acknowledged. Yet, the psychological toll of dieting can be severe, often outweighing any physical benefits. Let’s explore some of the ways that dieting can […]
What’s Giving Us Hope Right Now?
What is giving you hope right now for the future of our society? That’s the second question we posed to our circle of scholars, writers, and thinkers in the aftermath of the 2024 United States election. (The first question asked where we can go from here, and we published those answers yesterday.) Some find hope […]
How to Overcome “Anxious Attachment”
Insecure or “anxious” attachment most often manifests in romantic relationships in expressions like “clinginess,” jealousy, emotional dependency, enmeshment, or generalized anxiety about the status or trust in the relationship. Many people who experience anxious attachment report feelings of not getting enough or “the right kind” of love and affection from their partner and often need […]
The Potential Cost of Honesty in Perinatal Screening
Imagine the weight of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) during pregnancy or postpartum. Now imagine recognizing that you need support, but choosing silence out of fear that speaking up might mean losing your baby. This is the haunting dilemma many caregivers face when they’re screened for perinatal Mental health. In our recent study, we […]
Surviving Election Night: 7 Tips to Manage Your Emotions
Election night can create a roller coaster of emotional stress as results come in. Pundits will debate, and if the last few weeks are any indication, misinformation and conspiracy theories will fly. No matter where you stand politically, it’s a high-stakes event, and that tension can feel overwhelming, making you vulnerable to manipulation that makes […]
Is It a Midlife Crisis or Burnout?
Midlife can be a time of significant change, where many find themselves questioning their paths, purpose, and overall satisfaction. These feelings can arise from what’s commonly referred to as a midlife crisis, burnout, or sometimes a mix of both. Though they can feel similar, burnout and a midlife crisis stem from different sources and require […]
The Psychology of Scary Movies and Haunted Houses
Fall for me as a teenager meant football games, homecoming dresses—and haunted houses. My friends organized group trips to the local fairground, where barn sheds were turned into halls of horror, and masked men nipped at our ankles with (chainless) chain saws as we waited in line, anticipating deeper frights to come once we were […]
Why We All Need to Pause More Often and How to Do It
“Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.” ~Doe Zantamata I have always been that person who just cannot seem to slow down. An overachiever? That’s putting it mildly. In every aspect of my life—work, relationships, personal goals—I have always pushed myself to the absolute limit. It is like I have this internal […]