Therapeia

Expert insights and practical help in dealing with the emotional and psychological challenges of life

Disorders and difficulties Therapies and practical advice Perspectives and controversies

Photo of a woman in a floral shirt, appearing deep in thought with her hands clasped near her face.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

idea

Instead of wrestling with self-defeating thoughts, try this

When your own thoughts discourage and undermine you, it’s easy to get tangled. A change of strategy could get you past it

by Joe Oliver & Kristy Potter

Photo of a small American flag on a metal barrier surrounded by litter at night.

Civic life

idea

Disappointment is not just a feeling – it’s a political force

When political regimes fail us, don’t turn to optimism. It’s disappointment that holds the radical potential for change

by Rafael Holmberg

Coloured microscopic image of pollen grains and plant fibres in close-up, showing vibrant round and elongated structures.

Food and drink

guide

How to maintain a healthy gut

With a few lifestyle and dietary changes, you can protect your gut microbiome, boost your immunity and improve your mood

by Vincent Ho

Close-up of hands holding clear frogspawn with visible black eggs in a natural outdoor setting.

Creativity

film

A filmmaker’s never-realised ideas become an exploration of self-doubt

Directed by Cameron Nicoll

Painting of a woman with large eyes wearing dark clothes surrounded by bold colours including red and yellow.

Grief

idea

The loss remains, so why does intense grief usually fade?

Grief’s ‘double vision’ beholds both the bereaved and dead. Recognising this duality helps explain our ability to move on

by Berislav Marušić

A blurred black cat jumps on dirt ground in the foreground, with a distant statue of Pope John Paul II with arms outstretched against the sky in the background

Values and beliefs

idea

Cultural taboos arise from a basic feature of the human mind

Unquestioned community rules on marriage, dining and even black cats often stem from our hunger to explain random events

by Kevin (Ze) Hong

Photo of a child squatting in a museum, observing a large classical statue with people around.

Emotion regulation

guide

How to compare yourself with others fairly

Ever worry that you don’t measure up? These CBT-based practices can make social comparison less painful and more productive

by Joel Minden

A young man with a serious expression wearing a grey hoodie outdoors at dusk, with a blurred landscape and lights in the background.

Depression

film

Why Darius is testing mind and body to run 100 miles in the cold

Directed by Amar Chebib

Photo of a woman with tattoos taking a selfie on a smartphone wearing an off-shoulder dress in front of glass doors.

Virtues and vices

idea

Social comparison is driving us to despair. It doesn’t have to

In the social media age, it seems impossible not to measure ourselves against others – but we can dodge the worst pitfalls

by Wojciech Kaftański

Photo of two people sitting at a wooden table each holding a mug, with a blurred outdoor background.

Psychotherapy

idea

Think someone should see a therapist? Here’s how to bring it up

Your suggestion could be invaluable, and it doesn’t need to be perfect. These steps will help you get a caring message across

by Kathryn Gordon

Black and white photo of two people sitting on a bench by a lake between two trees.

Depression

guide

How to support someone with depression

Being there for someone can be challenging. A clinical psychologist shares what to say and do to help them feel less alone

by Emma Cotterill

Illustration of a young woman with a bob haircut, red skin and two different coloured eyes. She holds her hands up to her cheeks.

Mental health

film

Fixating on her body, a woman grapples with strange distortions of the self

Directed by Chenghua Yang