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Your Future Self

Creating life today with tomorrow in mind

Bias
Standing Against Racism

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on June 28, 2020

Our commitment to truly standing against racism can’t be a spark in time that dwindles, but an ongoing way of living that is lifelong.

Our commitment to truly standing against racism can’t be a spark in time that dwindles, but an ongoing way of living that is lifelong.

Online Therapy
The Rise of Telepsychology

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on May 29, 2020

Among the tragedies that have emerged from this pandemic, there are a few bright spots, and in my view, the leap of telepsychology into mainstream use is definitely one of them.

Among the tragedies that have emerged from this pandemic, there are a few bright spots, and in my view, the leap of telepsychology into mainstream use is definitely one of them.

Relationships
Revealing Love and Connectedness in Quarantine

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on April 24, 2020

As many partners spend more time together than ever, these conditions are shining a real light on a question that would have only been a hypothetical one before this pandemic.

As many partners spend more time together than ever, these conditions are shining a real light on a question that would have only been a hypothetical one before this pandemic.

Intelligence
Listening to Boredom

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on March 30, 2020

Once we’ve figured out what kind of boredom we’re dealing with, then we can find out how to give ourselves what we need.

Once we’ve figured out what kind of boredom we’re dealing with, then we can find out how to give ourselves what we need.

Self-Talk
Facing Your Inner Critic

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on February 29, 2020

If you harshly criticize yourself, you’re not alone, and it’s not a failing on your part—even if the inner critic tells you it is.

If you harshly criticize yourself, you’re not alone, and it’s not a failing on your part—even if the inner critic tells you it is.

Motivation
Making Resolutions More Doable

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on January 31, 2020

Resolutions aren't a self-punishing exercise in pointlessness. Sometimes what gets in the way is how we pursue the changes we want, and research casts more light on this issue.

Resolutions aren't a self-punishing exercise in pointlessness. Sometimes what gets in the way is how we pursue the changes we want, and research casts more light on this issue.

Emotion Regulation
The Benefit of Emotions During Disagreements With a Partner

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on December 14, 2019

If we only look at how we behave toward our partner during conflict, science suggests that we’ll miss something else that’s worthy of attention: How we relate to our own emotions.

If we only look at how we behave toward our partner during conflict, science suggests that we’ll miss something else that’s worthy of attention: How we relate to our own emotions.

Bias
Fake News and the Illusory Truth Effect

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on November 10, 2019

It's tempting to think that bogus news stories would be obvious to us. Yet research points to the sorry truth that we’re not quite as perceptive as we’d like to believe.

It's tempting to think that bogus news stories would be obvious to us. Yet research points to the sorry truth that we’re not quite as perceptive as we’d like to believe.

Social Life
When and How We Talk with People

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on October 30, 2019

The time we make to connect with others and how we do so are both related to our wellness, making them deserving of attention and energy.

The time we make to connect with others and how we do so are both related to our wellness, making them deserving of attention and energy.

Therapy
Myths About Couples Therapy

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on October 10, 2019

It's understandable that many people are not in a big hurry to try couples therapy. Here's why they might want to give it a shot anyway.

It's understandable that many people are not in a big hurry to try couples therapy. Here's why they might want to give it a shot anyway.

Career
The Glow of Vacation

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on August 25, 2019

Researchers haven’t identified a way to prevent the wellness perks of vacation from waning, but they’ve been examining what's connected to how readily those perks wear off.

Researchers haven’t identified a way to prevent the wellness perks of vacation from waning, but they’ve been examining what's connected to how readily those perks wear off.

Anger
The Unseen Side of the Story for Romantic Partners

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on July 23, 2019

Even if our partner seems outwardly angry or nonchalant, we might want to consider the possibility that we’re only seeing the cover of a more fragile, concerned interior.

Even if our partner seems outwardly angry or nonchalant, we might want to consider the possibility that we’re only seeing the cover of a more fragile, concerned interior.

Gratitude
The Upsides of Gratitude

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on June 29, 2019

If I told you that gratitude is good for couples, this probably doesn’t seem all that surprising. But what kinds of specific advantages is it associated with?

If I told you that gratitude is good for couples, this probably doesn’t seem all that surprising. But what kinds of specific advantages is it associated with?

Happiness
The Joy in Familiar Terrain

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on May 17, 2019

We often believe that if we repeat the same experience, it’s going to lose its luster. But research suggests this isn't true.

We often believe that if we repeat the same experience, it’s going to lose its luster. But research suggests this isn't true.

Relationships
Self-Expansion in Romantic Relationships

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on April 13, 2019

When we self-expand, we widen our understanding of who we are, what we’re able to do, and how we view life. This is linked to relationship wellness.

When we self-expand, we widen our understanding of who we are, what we’re able to do, and how we view life. This is linked to relationship wellness.

Mating
Online Dating with a Dash of Deception

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on March 27, 2019

When the goal is to stand out amid the dating throng, it’s human to feel tempted to lie a little to reduce our chances of being rejected.

When the goal is to stand out amid the dating throng, it’s human to feel tempted to lie a little to reduce our chances of being rejected.

Embarrassment
The Irony of Emotional Acceptance

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on February 28, 2019

When we accept distressing emotions as being a natural part of life, it’s ironically linked to experiencing them less and, in the long run, having better emotional health.

When we accept distressing emotions as being a natural part of life, it’s ironically linked to experiencing them less and, in the long run, having better emotional health.

Aging
The Beauty of Birthdays

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on January 25, 2019

It's common to shift from wanting to speed up the clock to wishing it would slow down, and that’s understandable. Prevailing perspectives on aging are often unflattering.  

It's common to shift from wanting to speed up the clock to wishing it would slow down, and that’s understandable. Prevailing perspectives on aging are often unflattering.  

Intelligence
Am I Normal?

Holly Parker, Ph.D. on December 30, 2018

It makes sense that we determine whether we’re "normal" by taking our cues from others. At the same time, there are a few reasons why we might want to do this judiciously.

It makes sense that we determine whether we’re "normal" by taking our cues from others. At the same time, there are a few reasons why we might want to do this judiciously.