Blog for Better Living
The Psychology Behind Pelvic Pain
By: Shanni Tal, Psy.D. | April 18, 2025
The mind-body connection plays a crucial role in many pain-related conditions, such as headaches, muscle tension, or gastrointestinal discomfort. This is especially true for pain related to women’s sexual and reproductive health. For some women, sex, gynecological exams, and tampon insertion can cause anxiety and physical pain. The sensations associated with these events are involuntary […]
Read MoreHow 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 […]
Read MoreGet 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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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 […]
Read MoreNavigating 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 […]
Read MoreHow 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 […]
Read MoreThe 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 […]
Read MoreHow 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 […]
Read MoreThought 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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