From Lab to Real World

Suicide

Religious Identity May Impact Suicide Risk

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on April 6, 2023

People don't like to talk about religion or death, but researchers and providers should.

People don't like to talk about religion or death, but researchers and providers should.

Anxiety

Are You in Control? The Answer May Feed Your Anxiety

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on December 1, 2022

Feeling anxious? Your perception of control may be to blame.

Feeling anxious? Your perception of control may be to blame.

Online Therapy

Do Virtual Therapy Programs Work?

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on June 6, 2022

Virtual treatment became the norm during COVID-19. A new study takes a deep dive into patients' experiences, revealing the pros and cons of online therapy.

Virtual treatment became the norm during COVID-19. A new study takes a deep dive into patients' experiences, revealing the pros and cons of online therapy.

Identity

Addressing Sociocultural Identities in Treatment

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on March 7, 2022

Feel like you don't fit into a box? A new self-report survey uses open-ended responses to help clinicians better incorporate sociocultural identities into treatment.

Feel like you don't fit into a box? A new self-report survey uses open-ended responses to help clinicians better incorporate sociocultural identities into treatment.

In exposure therapy, people bravely face their fears and take back their life from the grip of anxiety. Why do some clinicians and consumers think this is cruel?

OCD

What People Should Understand About "Pedophilia OCD"

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on July 23, 2021

Imagine having your worst fears pop in your head all day. People with pedophilia OCD care deeply about not harming children, which is why their OCD latches onto this fear.

Imagine having your worst fears pop in your head all day. People with pedophilia OCD care deeply about not harming children, which is why their OCD latches onto this fear.

Bias

How Hopelessness Grabs Hold, and How to Stop It

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on July 21, 2021

Rates of hopelessness are on the rise. New research suggests that how you interpret ambiguous situations may impact your level of hopelessness.

Rates of hopelessness are on the rise. New research suggests that how you interpret ambiguous situations may impact your level of hopelessness.

Anxiety

Are Parents the Key to Treating Children's Anxiety?

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on July 20, 2021

Parents can unintentionally pass on their negative thinking patterns to their children, causing anxiety. Parent-focused treatments may be the solution.

Parents can unintentionally pass on their negative thinking patterns to their children, causing anxiety. Parent-focused treatments may be the solution.

Trauma

6 Tips for Increasing Social Support

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on June 4, 2021

Social support is crucial for living your best life. A few small changes could boost yours.

Social support is crucial for living your best life. A few small changes could boost yours.

Anxiety

Primary Care: The Front Line for Mental Health Treatment

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on March 8, 2021

Most people with anxiety first seek treatment from their primary care doctor. A new research study describes an on-line program that could improve access to treatment.

Most people with anxiety first seek treatment from their primary care doctor. A new research study describes an on-line program that could improve access to treatment.

Anxiety

How Emotion Regulation Influences Social Anxiety

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on February 26, 2021

Social anxiety is extremely common. How someone responds to the emotions that arise in a social situation can make their anxiety better or worse.

Social anxiety is extremely common. How someone responds to the emotions that arise in a social situation can make their anxiety better or worse.

Health

The Future of Digital Mental Health Treatment

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on January 31, 2021

Digital mental health treatments have exploded over the past decade. A group of international experts weigh in on the future of the field.

Digital mental health treatments have exploded over the past decade. A group of international experts weigh in on the future of the field.

Motivation

More Than a Resolution: Connect with Your Values

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on January 1, 2021

If your resolutions usually fall flat, try going deeper this year. Focusing on your values may lead to greater and more sustained personal growth.

If your resolutions usually fall flat, try going deeper this year. Focusing on your values may lead to greater and more sustained personal growth.

Motivation

8 Tips for Overcoming Obstacles to Exercise

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on December 3, 2020

Though a pandemic is an unusual obstacle, people face similar roadblocks to exercise all the time due to injuries or illness. The one thing we can control is our response.

Though a pandemic is an unusual obstacle, people face similar roadblocks to exercise all the time due to injuries or illness. The one thing we can control is our response.

Mental Health Stigma

What Is Self-Stigma and Why Does It Hurt?

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on November 18, 2020

As long as mental health stigma remains a societal issue, there is a need for interventions to help people with their experience of internalized stigma.

As long as mental health stigma remains a societal issue, there is a need for interventions to help people with their experience of internalized stigma.

Anxiety

Cognitive Therapy Is Hard. Can a Simple App Help?

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on October 20, 2020

A new app helps users see their maladaptive thinking habits in real time and learn to reappraise ambiguous situations. Such an app might be a helpful adjunct to CBT.

A new app helps users see their maladaptive thinking habits in real time and learn to reappraise ambiguous situations. Such an app might be a helpful adjunct to CBT.

Depression

What Causes Depression? What You Believe Matters

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on September 2, 2020

While biological explanations of depression can reduce self-blame, there may be a darker side to attributing depression to biogenetic origins.

While biological explanations of depression can reduce self-blame, there may be a darker side to attributing depression to biogenetic origins.

Health

The Challenge Facing App Developers: Engaging Users

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on August 5, 2020

Do you download apps only to stop using them after a week? You are not alone! Mental health app developers face an uphill battle to engage users long-term.

Do you download apps only to stop using them after a week? You are not alone! Mental health app developers face an uphill battle to engage users long-term.

Identity

Check Your Privilege: An Important Self-Assessment

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on July 17, 2020

Now is a good opportunity to check your privilege. Spoiler alert: There is more than just White privilege.

Now is a good opportunity to check your privilege. Spoiler alert: There is more than just White privilege.

Anxiety

Are Benzodiazepines Friend or Foe?

Courtney Beard Ph.D. on July 1, 2020

For anxious people, benzodiazepines can work a little too well in the moment and fuel a maladaptive goal of avoiding anxiety.

For anxious people, benzodiazepines can work a little too well in the moment and fuel a maladaptive goal of avoiding anxiety.