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Acacia C Parks Ph.D.

About

Acacia Parks, Ph.D., is Chief Scientist at Happify Health, a digital therapeutics company that brings the cutting edge in research-based behavior change strategies to large businesses, health plans, and consumers. She earned her degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and worked as a tenured professor at Hiram College before making the full-time move to industry. She is an expert on the science of well-being and on the various therapeutic modalities designed to treat depression and anxiety, and her passion for research first began when she discovered that well-designed self-help could be as effective as in-person therapy.

Acacia lives with her husband and youngest daughter, Cassandra (age 6) on a farm in rural NE Ohio. In her free time, she loves to do Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and scuba diving, though during quarantine from COVID-19, she's just trying to get by.

Books by Acacia C Parks Ph.D.
Recent Posts
Crazed by Coronavirus (Literally)
In this uncertain time, where many experience new heights of anxiety, it is important to learn new skills for coping with anxiety quickly, before anxiety becomes “the new normal."
Self-Helping Responsibly
In a sea of self-help websites that are out to get your money any way they can, how do you spot a self-help website that is ethically responsible and science-based?
Express Happiness
Want to increase your happiness, but only have 5 minutes a day to spend on it? No problem! Dr. Parks describes her favorite 3 ways to give your mood a boost.
Testing Self-Help
Research can show whether or not a self-help approach "works." Here are some examples of my own research where we have done just that.
Who Uses Self-help?

Exploring the characteristics of people using happiness-based self-help.

Exploring the characteristics of people using happiness-based self-help.

Why Valuing Happiness Is a Good Thing After All

New data contradicts previous research saying that valuing happiness prevents you from becoming happier.

New data contradicts previous research saying that valuing happiness prevents you from becoming happier.

Gains and Losses

Musings about loss and post-traumatic growth in the wake of a recent death in the positive psychology community.

Musings about loss and post-traumatic growth in the wake of a recent death in the positive psychology community.

It Worked For Me! (But No One Else)

Dr. Parks talks about why trying to learn from someone else's inspirational story is kind of like making your chicken wear a sweater.

Dr. Parks talks about why trying to learn from someone else's inspirational story is kind of like making your chicken wear a sweater.

My Friend Says It Works, So I'm Sure It Will

Testimonials are more than a way to sell a product - they actually help the consumer to benefit from that product.

Testimonials are more than a way to sell a product - they actually help the consumer to benefit from that product.

No Time Is Ever Wasted, Or Is It?

A recent study showing that how we feel about the time we spend - and whether or not it's wasted - depends on how we spend it.

A recent study showing that how we feel about the time we spend - and whether or not it's wasted - depends on how we spend it.