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

Relationships

Which Comes First: Finding a Partner or Finding Yourself?

Theresa E. DiDonato Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Meet, Catch, and Keep

We need not have a fully formed sense of self before entering a good relationship, do we?

We need not have a fully formed sense of self before entering a good relationship, do we?

Beauty

When It Comes to Eyes, Lighter Isn’t Always Better

Farid Pazhoohi, Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Evolutionary Social Cognition

Are whiter eyes more attractive? Our cross-cultural study suggests the answer is more subtle and that eye whites (sclera) may shape femininity and first impressions.

Are whiter eyes more attractive? Our cross-cultural study suggests the answer is more subtle and that eye whites (sclera) may shape femininity and first impressions.

Decision-Making

The Psychology of Saving the Good Candles

Lindsey Godwin Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Possibilitizing

I found a candle I'd been saving for four years. The scent had faded and I still hadn't lit it. Turns out there's psychology behind why we save joy for later, and ways to stop.

I found a candle I'd been saving for four years. The scent had faded and I still hadn't lit it. Turns out there's psychology behind why we save joy for later, and ways to stop.

Evolutionary Psychology

Did Consciousness Begin With Hunger and Sexual Desire?

Hamid Zand Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in The Behavioral Microbiome

What if consciousness did not begin with thought, language, or self-awareness? Exploring whether hunger and sexual desire were among the earliest subjective experiences.

What if consciousness did not begin with thought, language, or self-awareness? Exploring whether hunger and sexual desire were among the earliest subjective experiences.

Parenting

“Modern” Parenting, Broken Kids?

Paul Sunseri Psy.D. on June 7, 2026 in Mental Health Reimagined

What if many childhood mental health challenges are predictable responses to the changes in modern family life? Here's what ancient parenting practices can teach us.

What if many childhood mental health challenges are predictable responses to the changes in modern family life? Here's what ancient parenting practices can teach us.

Therapy

Finding Dr. Right: The First Step to Effective Therapy

Joan K. Peters Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Transformative

Comparative shopping for the right therapist works much better than taking the first offer, referral, or suggestion—and not just for finding the right therapist.

Comparative shopping for the right therapist works much better than taking the first offer, referral, or suggestion—and not just for finding the right therapist.

Personal Perspectives

The View From the Far Side

Patrick William Kelly Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Minds at War

Psychiatry often treats the brain well and the person poorly. A historian who became a patient and a prisoner on what medication can't reach and what recovery actually requires.

Psychiatry often treats the brain well and the person poorly. A historian who became a patient and a prisoner on what medication can't reach and what recovery actually requires.

Friends

When a Good Friendship Turns Bad

Erin Leonard Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Peaceful Parenting

If your friend exhibits four behaviors, they may be emotionally mistreating you.

If your friend exhibits four behaviors, they may be emotionally mistreating you.

Mating

Should You Go On Practice Dates?

Bruce Y. Lee M.D., M.B.A. on June 7, 2026 in A Funny Bone to Pick

People on social media are talking about practice. That's practice dates. Not real dates. The question then is whether you are game for the practice of going on practice dates.

People on social media are talking about practice. That's practice dates. Not real dates. The question then is whether you are game for the practice of going on practice dates.

Neuroscience

Social intelligence Arises Between Minds

Guillaume Dumas M.Eng., Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Extrospection

We've built brilliant solitary thinkers. But recent neuroscience results hint that real intelligence emerges between minds, and AI has never been coupled with one.

We've built brilliant solitary thinkers. But recent neuroscience results hint that real intelligence emerges between minds, and AI has never been coupled with one.

Psychosis

Psychotic Personality Organization and Defenses

Irene Hurford MD on June 7, 2026 in Reality in Dialogue

At the psychotic level of personality organization, people experience difficulty with reality testing, annihilation anxiety, and blurred self-other boundaries.

At the psychotic level of personality organization, people experience difficulty with reality testing, annihilation anxiety, and blurred self-other boundaries.

Artificial Intelligence

AI and the Empowerment Paradox

John Nosta on June 7, 2026 in The Digital Self

AI doesn't just answer our questions, it may replace the struggle that once made us capable of asking better ones.

AI doesn't just answer our questions, it may replace the struggle that once made us capable of asking better ones.

Parenting

Helping Kids Feel They Matter

Corinne Masur Psy.D. on June 7, 2026 in Parenting Matters

Mattering is important. It can result in better social and academic performance and it is protective against negative behaviors and suicidal ideation.

Mattering is important. It can result in better social and academic performance and it is protective against negative behaviors and suicidal ideation.

Autism

You Have an Autism Diagnosis. What Now?

Claire Jack Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Coming to terms with an autism diagnosis is a process of healing and recovery. How you feel in the early stages is not how you will feel forever.

Coming to terms with an autism diagnosis is a process of healing and recovery. How you feel in the early stages is not how you will feel forever.

Anxiety

Why Anxiety Feels So Real, Even When There’s No Danger

Simon D'Aquino MPsych on June 7, 2026 in Clinical Psychology Perspectives

Anxiety feels real for a reason. Discover how an ancient fear system and a future-focused mind combine to create worry, panic, and “what if” thinking.

Anxiety feels real for a reason. Discover how an ancient fear system and a future-focused mind combine to create worry, panic, and “what if” thinking.

Environment

When Buildings Make Us Feel Unwell

Meredith Banasiak on June 7, 2026 in Design With the Brain in Mind

Spaces in our built environments can be just as unsettling as a winding road, rough sea, or virtual reality.

Spaces in our built environments can be just as unsettling as a winding road, rough sea, or virtual reality.

Neuroscience

When Brains Sync: Positively Shaping Child Development

Michele K. Lewis Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Cultural Neuroscience

If you and your family are happily engaging one another without staring into electronic devices, your brains and socioemotional health are better for it.

If you and your family are happily engaging one another without staring into electronic devices, your brains and socioemotional health are better for it.

Sport and Competition

There Is an "I" in Team

Michael Allison on June 7, 2026 in The Pressure Paradox

Sport and competition hold a tension between proving our value and belonging just as we are. At their best, teammates and opponents help elevate us toward our highest potential.

Sport and competition hold a tension between proving our value and belonging just as we are. At their best, teammates and opponents help elevate us toward our highest potential.

Personal Perspectives

The Importance of Love in Life

Sheila Kohler on June 7, 2026 in Dreaming for Freud

Personal Perspective: In my book, "Bluebird, or the Invention of Happiness," Lucy loved her husband despite the great difficulties of their life.

Personal Perspective: In my book, "Bluebird, or the Invention of Happiness," Lucy loved her husband despite the great difficulties of their life.

Emotions

Emotion and Meaning in the Social World

Steven Stosny, Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Anger in the Age of Entitlement

Intense emotions make it impossible to read other people's emotions with any accuracy. When our own internal experience is strong, we merely project it onto others.

Intense emotions make it impossible to read other people's emotions with any accuracy. When our own internal experience is strong, we merely project it onto others.

Neurodiversity

The AuDHD Strength of Being Heartfelt

Keith Storace on June 7, 2026 in We Are Story

Heartfelt AuDHD expression reflects living in ways that honour what is most meaningful, bringing sincerity, purpose, and a deeper sense of belonging to everyday life.

Heartfelt AuDHD expression reflects living in ways that honour what is most meaningful, bringing sincerity, purpose, and a deeper sense of belonging to everyday life.

Friends

What Happens After the Friendship Honeymoon

Ankita Guchait MBPsS on June 7, 2026 in The Realities of Refugee Screening

These six factors can help friendships survive disappointment, change, and major life transitions.

These six factors can help friendships survive disappointment, change, and major life transitions.

Infidelity

Could You Be a Micro-Cheater?

Kaamna Bhojwani MA on June 7, 2026 in Becoming Technosexual

From Only Fans to AI companions, technology is forcing a renegotiation of trust and commitment in relationships.

From Only Fans to AI companions, technology is forcing a renegotiation of trust and commitment in relationships.

Philosophy

Conceiving of Human Understanding as a Process of Play

Monica Vilhauer Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Philosophy for Curious Souls

Hans-Georg Gadamer offers us a unique way of conceiving of human understanding as a social, linguistic, back-and-forth process of play.

Hans-Georg Gadamer offers us a unique way of conceiving of human understanding as a social, linguistic, back-and-forth process of play.

Anger

The Hidden Reason We're So Angry

Jeffrey Bernstein Ph.D. on June 7, 2026 in Liking the Child You Love

Hidden beneath the surface of your mind is a powerful negative force that ignites anger, emotional shutdowns, and nasty criticism. Here's how to spot and control it.

Hidden beneath the surface of your mind is a powerful negative force that ignites anger, emotional shutdowns, and nasty criticism. Here's how to spot and control it.

Understanding Twins

Twinship and Self-Perception in Adulthood

Barbara Klein Ph.D., Ed.D. on June 6, 2026 in Twin Dilemmas

When I look in the mirror I always see my sister staring at me and she sees me looking at her.

When I look in the mirror I always see my sister staring at me and she sees me looking at her.

Leadership

Using Empathy to Connect

Palena R. Neale Ph.D, PCC on June 6, 2026 in Leading for Success

When we use language that witnesses rather than dismisses, engages rather than assumes, and connects rather than corrects, we create deeper human connection.

When we use language that witnesses rather than dismisses, engages rather than assumes, and connects rather than corrects, we create deeper human connection.

Sex

The Relational Math of Mind-Blowing Sex

Assael Romanelli Ph.D., LCSW on June 6, 2026 in The Other Side of Relationships

You've been trying to improve your sex life the wrong way. The real recipe has nothing to do with sex itself. It's simpler than you think.

You've been trying to improve your sex life the wrong way. The real recipe has nothing to do with sex itself. It's simpler than you think.

Emotion Regulation

Emotional Regulation: Finding That Sweet Spot in the Middle

Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on June 6, 2026 in Fixing Families

The models imprinted on us and the coping skills we developed as children no longer work in adulthood. How to upgrade your skills, control emotions, and use them as information.

The models imprinted on us and the coping skills we developed as children no longer work in adulthood. How to upgrade your skills, control emotions, and use them as information.