Blog for Better Living

The Impact of Menopause on Mental Health

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | February 21, 2025

Menopause, a natural phase in a woman’s life, brings about significant hormonal changes that can profoundly impact mental health. Symptoms associated with menopause can begin as early as the mid-40s (sometimes earlier) during a phase known as perimenopause. Perimenopause is the transitional period leading up to menopause, characterized by fluctuating hormone levels that can cause […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Sleep/Relaxation

A Therapist’s Wish for 2025: Building Strength Through Adversity

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | February 11, 2025

This year, I’m continuing the tradition of sharing my personal reflections on the past year and my intentions for the year ahead. The new year is typically a time for reflection and gratitude, but to be honest, this has been a difficult practice for me lately. It’s been a chaotic start to the year for […]

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Grief, Personal Improvement, Stress

Navigating Parenthood: Supporting a Neurodivergent Child with Rejection Sensitivity

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | January 31, 2025

In my work with parents of young children with confirmed or suspected neurodivergence, I often observe them navigate between celebrating their child’s gifts and managing their challenges. If you’re a parent of a neurodivergent child, the one-size-fits-all parenting strategies that are all too common on Instagram may work for other kids, but they might not […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Children, Depression, Parenting, Stress

How To Support Survivors of Natural Disasters

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | January 24, 2025

Natural disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, floods, hurricanes and tornados can profoundly affect the mental health of both individuals and entire communities. One such example is the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. As I continue to watch the news, I realize the immense loss and destruction experienced by so many. If you have friends and family […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Relationships, Stress, Trauma

The Hidden Truth Behind Where to Find Real Motivation

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | January 17, 2025

How many times have you thought, “If I could just get motivated…”? You might try making lists or searching online for inspiration. You may even tell loved ones about the things you want to accomplish and the changes you want to make. Despite your efforts, motivation often doesn’t appear. When that happens, it leaves you […]

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Depression, Personal Improvement

How to Handle Stress and Anxiety After the Election Results

By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | January 10, 2025

Emotions ran particularly high during this election season given the significance of the topics being debated, such as women’s reproductive rights, immigration and mass deportation, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and transgender rights, to name a few. Our country remains in a state of political divisiveness. As such, it is understandable that those on the losing side […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Racial Justice, Stress

Thought Crimes: Why Your Thoughts Don’t Define You

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 6, 2024

Have you even beaten yourself up, judged yourself, or felt ashamed for having a thought that might upset others if you shared it with them? Does thinking poorly about someone make you a bad person? Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung was among the first to grapple with these concepts, which are referred to as “thought crimes.” […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress

Cultivating Calm in Crisis

By: Ashley Malooly, Ph.D. | November 22, 2024

As much as we hope to avoid them, at some point or another, we are all inevitably affected by crises in our lives. For example, an unexpected bill shows up, a pet or a child falls ill, your flight gets canceled, you need to have a high-stakes conversation with a loved one. All these situations […]

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Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress

Balancing Motherhood This Holiday Season

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | November 15, 2024

The holidays are a time when traditions, family gatherings, and festivities take center stage, and for many mothers, this means taking on the responsibility of organizing the celebrations. The role of the mother as the “heart” of holiday traditions is deeply ingrained in many societies, particularly in cultures where familial ties and communal gatherings are […]

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Anxiety, Family, Holidays, Stress