There is nothing more practical than a sound theory. That maxim is particularly true of positive psychology and its practical applications. Chris Peterson defined positive psychology as “the scientific study of what goes right in life” and of what makes “life most worth living” (2006, p.4). Focusing on what is already strong in people and … Read more

Case Western Reserve researcher presents findings that could free patients from ventilators, even years after injury. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a two-step treatment that restores function to the muscles that control breathing—even after those muscles have been paralyzed for more than a year. The work offers renewed hope that people with … Read more

Summary: Researchers at Harvard report that social recognition is regulated by oxytocin-sensitive neurons within a specific region of the hippocampus. Source: Harvard. How do we tell one person from another? How do we separate friend from foe or reward from threat? How does the brain parse subtle cues so we know that Susan is not … Read more

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT, pronounced “act”) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that integrates cognitive-behavioral principles, humanistic values, and mindfulness-based practices. ACT focuses on increasing psychological flexibility—helping people accept difficult inner experiences while committing to actions that move them toward a meaningful life. Although formal training and supervised practice are the best ways to learn ACT, … Read more

Summary: Researchers have developed a blood test that analyzes gene activity to identify newborns who, after oxygen deprivation at birth, are at heightened risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Source: Imperial College London New early blood test may predict which infants affected by birth oxygen deprivation will develop serious neurodisabilities such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy. A … Read more

Summary: Low-level lead exposure during development does not by itself cause alcohol use disorder, but it changes brain circuits so that if addiction develops, it increases the likelihood of relapse and makes it harder to resist returning to alcohol use. Source: Indiana University New Indiana University research explains how low-level developmental lead exposure can reshape … Read more

School counselors are central to students’ wellbeing and to the smooth functioning of schools. Their work combines professional expertise in counseling theory, practical techniques, and tools with the trust they build with students and families (Coleman & Yeh, 2011). Although counselors work within job descriptions, guidelines, and school policies, they shape their practice around professional … Read more

Researchers have for the first time linked the brains of pairs of rats electronically, allowing the animals to communicate directly and solve simple behavioral tasks. In a follow-up test, the team successfully connected two rats located thousands of miles apart—one in Durham, North Carolina, and the other in Natal, Brazil. The experiments point to the … Read more

Working in mental health means regularly supporting people who are emotionally stressed or distressed, and that emotional labor can create a taxing environment for therapists themselves. Which naturally raises the question: who cares for the caregivers? Claire Dunne (2015) revisits Carl Jung’s idea of the “wounded healer”: therapists and analysts often draw on their own … Read more

Summary: Increasing fish consumption may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, according to researchers. The study identifies the fish protein parvalbumin as capable of preventing formation of harmful alpha‑synuclein amyloids. Source: Chalmers University of Technology. New research from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden highlights a possible biological link between eating … Read more