Verified by Psychology Today

The Stories We Tell

Inspiration for a better world.

Loneliness
Why Does It Hurt to Feel Lonely?

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on April 2, 2024

Loneliness can be painful, with profound physiologic and psychological impacts. Understanding the factors associated with loneliness can help you manage it.

Loneliness can be painful, with profound physiologic and psychological impacts. Understanding the factors associated with loneliness can help you manage it.

Stress
How to Resolve Most Any Conflict: The Solution

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on November 27, 2023

By mastering five steps, you can disentangle from the conflict escalation cycle and learn to communicate better and resolve problems positively.

By mastering five steps, you can disentangle from the conflict escalation cycle and learn to communicate better and resolve problems positively.

Anger
How to Resolve Most Any Conflict: The Problem

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on November 6, 2023

While we believe what we say to others is generally understood, close to 75% of all communication is misunderstood due to biases, assumptions, expectations, and perceptual filters.

While we believe what we say to others is generally understood, close to 75% of all communication is misunderstood due to biases, assumptions, expectations, and perceptual filters.

Stress
How You Can Tame a Raging Fight-or-Flight Response

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on August 28, 2023

Learn how to navigate a fierce fight-or-flight response and target stress, anxiety, and panic in real time to reverse the cascade and re-establish homeostasis.

Learn how to navigate a fierce fight-or-flight response and target stress, anxiety, and panic in real time to reverse the cascade and re-establish homeostasis.

Environment
From Melting Minds to United Hearts

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on July 17, 2023

Does extreme heat impact your mood & behavior? Climate events can cause devastating effects to individual minds & bodies and the health of our collective community.

Does extreme heat impact your mood & behavior? Climate events can cause devastating effects to individual minds & bodies and the health of our collective community.

Ghosting
Why Ghosting Is a Form of Relational Aggression

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on May 15, 2023

Relationship transitions can be difficult, and avoidance may seem an attractive way out, but ghosting is an unhealthy form of relational aggression that is fundamentally unkind.

Relationship transitions can be difficult, and avoidance may seem an attractive way out, but ghosting is an unhealthy form of relational aggression that is fundamentally unkind.

Trauma
How to Coax Post-Traumatic Growth

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on February 13, 2023

The impact of trauma and the way it is processed is different for everyone, but our minds and bodies want to heal. Transformational growth is possible.

The impact of trauma and the way it is processed is different for everyone, but our minds and bodies want to heal. Transformational growth is possible.

Resilience
What Is the Secret to Autumnal Bliss? Leaning Into It

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on October 30, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Summer has ended and autumn is in full swing. How can you make the most of the season to amplify its benefits and build resilience for winter?

A Personal Perspective: Summer has ended and autumn is in full swing. How can you make the most of the season to amplify its benefits and build resilience for winter?

Resilience
How to ‘Listen to Your Body’ for Resilience

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on September 4, 2022

Whether you are stressed, happy, burnt out, or just having a day, it all shows up in your body and mind. Learning to listen to your body supercharges your capacity to respond well.

Whether you are stressed, happy, burnt out, or just having a day, it all shows up in your body and mind. Learning to listen to your body supercharges your capacity to respond well.

Empathy
The Stories We Tell Matter

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on August 6, 2022

When we sort the world into categories such as us and them, good and evil, entitled and undeserving, the stories launch self-fulfilling arcs of winners and losers.

When we sort the world into categories such as us and them, good and evil, entitled and undeserving, the stories launch self-fulfilling arcs of winners and losers.

Trauma
As the World Burns

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on July 11, 2022

The quick succession of traumatic news can leave us feeling overwhelmed and numb. Understanding the problem and working together can lead to collective action.

The quick succession of traumatic news can leave us feeling overwhelmed and numb. Understanding the problem and working together can lead to collective action.

Grief
You’re Okay—I’m Falling Apart

Leigh W. Jerome Ph.D. on May 4, 2022

The pandemic is waning but grief lingers. Avoidance seems like a good idea but grief has its own timeline and process. It also brings opportunity.

The pandemic is waning but grief lingers. Avoidance seems like a good idea but grief has its own timeline and process. It also brings opportunity.