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The Savvy Psychologist

Science-backed tips for achieving health and happiness

Body Image

The 4 Components of Body Image

Monica Johnson Psy.D. on February 11, 2022

Understand the 4 components of body image and the best ways to change your mind about your body. Embrace it for what it is and can do for you.

Understand the 4 components of body image and the best ways to change your mind about your body. Embrace it for what it is and can do for you.

Relationships

18 Schemas That Change the Way You See the World

Monica Johnson Psy.D. on January 11, 2022

Your belief systems from childhood may adversely affect how you view the world and your relationships. Once identified, you can work to change these beliefs.

Your belief systems from childhood may adversely affect how you view the world and your relationships. Once identified, you can work to change these beliefs.

Trauma

How Does Trauma Hijack the Brain?

Monica Johnson Psy.D. on November 29, 2021

Has it ever felt like trauma changed the way your brain worked? You're not wrong. Here's how trauma affects brain development and natural responses to danger.

Has it ever felt like trauma changed the way your brain worked? You're not wrong. Here's how trauma affects brain development and natural responses to danger.

Anxiety

How to Cope with the Fear of a Loved One Dying

Jade Wu Ph.D. on May 12, 2021

The fear of and anxiety about a loved one's death can be paralyzing, but despite these worries, you can still get meaning and joy out of your life with your loved ones.

The fear of and anxiety about a loved one's death can be paralyzing, but despite these worries, you can still get meaning and joy out of your life with your loved ones.

Relationships

9 Tips to Save Your Politically Divided Friendships

Jade Wu Ph.D. on April 8, 2021

Have you ended a friendship over politics? Open and empathetic conversations can help to save your friendships that span across the political aisle.

Have you ended a friendship over politics? Open and empathetic conversations can help to save your friendships that span across the political aisle.

Self-Talk

5 Ways to Use Positive Self-Talk to Psych Yourself Up

Jade Wu Ph.D. on March 25, 2021

Positive self-talk isn't just an athlete's secret weapon. It's a research-backed way to boost your performance and psych yourself up before a challenging task.

Positive self-talk isn't just an athlete's secret weapon. It's a research-backed way to boost your performance and psych yourself up before a challenging task.

Sleep

How to Use Light to Beat the Winter Blues

Jade Wu Ph.D. on January 14, 2021

The winter blues can sap our energy and leave us feeling tired, hopeless, and foggy, but light may be the key to keeping the blues at bay.

The winter blues can sap our energy and leave us feeling tired, hopeless, and foggy, but light may be the key to keeping the blues at bay.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

What Pop Culture Gets Wrong About Therapy

Jade Wu Ph.D. on January 4, 2021

Pop culture gets a lot wrong when it comes to mental health, but this overview can help you demystify the idea of going to therapy and provide a basis for many types of therapy.

Pop culture gets a lot wrong when it comes to mental health, but this overview can help you demystify the idea of going to therapy and provide a basis for many types of therapy.