Blog for Better Living

How to Cope with DEI Funding Cuts

By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | April 11, 2025

Almost four years ago, I wrote an article titled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Basics, addressing the relevant and meaningful topic of DEI following the protests sparked by the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. While the conversation about systemic racism was crucial at the time, it remains just as relevant […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Racial Justice, Trauma

What Women Really Want

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | April 4, 2025

The 6th Love Language of Attunement   We often discuss the five love languages – words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, gifts, and physical touch. But there’s an unspoken sixth love language that many women crave: attunement. It’s the emotional labor of noticing, anticipating, and responding to a partner’s needs without being asked. […]

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Parenting, Perinatal, Relationships, Stress

Get Up, Get Moving, Feel Better

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | March 28, 2025

The Power of Behavioral Activation   Do you feel stuck in a cycle of low energy, lost motivation, and diminished joy? Depression, loneliness, and midlife malaise can leave you feeling exhausted and indifferent, causing you to withdraw from activities and isolate from others, which only deepens the cycle and makes everything harder. To break this […]

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Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships

How Written Exposure Therapy Can Help Treat PTSD

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | March 14, 2025

If you’ve experienced death, threats of death, serious physical injury, or sexual violence, you may be struggling to cope with the impact of these events. You might experience nightmares or intrusive memories related to the trauma or find yourself avoiding reminders of what happened. It’s possible you’ve had difficulty connecting with others or struggled to […]

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Anxiety, Relationships, Therapy, Trauma

Am I a People Pleaser or Just a Nice Person?

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | March 7, 2025

Have you ever found yourself agreeing to something you didn’t want to do, just to avoid disappointing someone, and then wondered – am I a people pleaser or just a nice person? The truth is the distinction between being a people pleaser and simply being kind can be more nuanced than you might think. People […]

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Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Trauma

How to Cope After Unexpected Pregnancy Loss

By: Shanni Tal, Psy.D. | February 28, 2025

The decision to begin family planning is typically an exciting time for couples or individuals. It’s a time filled with hope, excitement, and anticipation for the experiences to come. As we envision our future, we begin to consider what kind of parent we want to be, how many children we’d like to have, and what […]

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Grief, Perinatal

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