Couples therapy has played a significant role in the evolution of relationship support over the past century. Rooted in clinical psychology and psychiatry, it was originally designed to address severe relational distress, mental illness, and dysfunctional family systems. However, as relationships, social norms, and human needs have evolved, many traditional couples therapy models struggle to keep pace.

The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) framework represents a significant shift in how mental health professionals conceptualize psychological distress, diagnosis, and treatment. Developed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), RDoC moves beyond traditional diagnostic categories and instead focuses on understanding mental health through observable behavior, neurobiological systems, and psychological functioning.

In a rapidly expanding coaching and mentoring industry, “professional standards and credible accreditation” are more important than ever. The International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring (IAPC&M) has emerged as one of the respected global bodies dedicated to raising the bar for coaching and mentoring practice.

For decades, the mental health field has relied on a "categorical" approach to diagnosis. If you have five out of nine specific symptoms, you have Major Depressive Disorder; if you have four, you technically do not. However, as clinicians and researchers enter 2026, many are moving away from these rigid boxes. The most prominent alternative gaining traction is HiTOP – Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology.

The ability of mentalization is a fundamental psychological capacity that allows individuals to understand their own thoughts, emotions, intentions, and behaviors, as well as those of others. This skill forms the foundation of emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, effective communication, and psychological resilience. As modern psychology continues to emphasize self-awareness and relational health, mentalization has become a central concept in understanding how people make sense of themselves and the social world.

Affect labeling and mental self talk are two powerful psychological tools that influence how people experience emotions, manage stress, and regulate behavior. Together, they form a bridge between emotional awareness and cognitive control, helping individuals respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity, calm, and resilience. In a world of constant stimulation and emotional overload, learning how to name feelings accurately and speak to oneself effectively has become an essential skill for mental well-being, performance, and personal growth.

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) has transformed the way clinicians, coaches, and individuals understand human relationships and emotional healing. Developed primarily by Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Les Greenberg, EFT is grounded in attachment theory and contemporary neuroscience, offering a powerful framework for understanding how emotions shape connection, behavior, and change. While Emotion-Focused Therapy is most commonly associated with couples counseling, its insights extend far beyond therapy rooms. EFT teaches us essential lessons about emotional awareness, relational safety, communication, and the deeply human need for connection.

In the world of higher education, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stands out for its unparalleled commitment to fostering learning and innovation. Through platforms like MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW), MIT has democratized access to world-class education, offering free courses on a wide range of subjects. Among these, the field of neuroscience has captured the interest of many learners due to its complex and fascinating exploration of the brain and nervous system. If you’re passionate about understanding how the brain works, one of the best places to start is with MIT's free neuroscience courses.

Stanford University is widely known for academic excellence, innovation, and leadership. What many people don’t realize is how generous Stanford has been in sharing its knowledge with the world. Through free online education, open learning platforms, and global access initiatives, Stanford has quietly become one of the most impactful providers of high-quality free courses available anywhere online.

Succeeding with love is not about finding the perfect partner or avoiding conflict altogether. It is about learning how to build, maintain, and grow emotional connection over time. Love is a skill as much as it is a feeling, and like any skill, it improves with awareness, practice, and intention. In a world that often treats love as luck or chemistry, the truth is simpler and more hopeful: people succeed with love when they understand themselves, communicate clearly, and create emotional safety.

Harvard University is widely known for academic excellence, rigorous research, and world-class faculty. But beyond its prestigious campus lies another remarkable contribution: free online education available to learners around the globe. Among these offerings is a standout course, Fundamentals of Neuroscience, Part 1: The Electrical Properties of the Neuron, which exemplifies Harvard’s commitment to knowledge accessibility.

Autobiographical memory is the system that allows humans to remember their own life experiences. It is the mental archive of events, emotions, people, and places that define who we are. From childhood memories to recent experiences, autobiographical memory plays a central role in identity formation, emotional regulation, decision-making, and social connection.

Yale University’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality education is embodied in one of its most generous initiatives: Open Yale Courses (OYC). At the heart of this program is the belief that knowledge should be shared freely with the world, regardless of geography, background, or financial means.

One standout example of this generosity is the free lecture series “Philosophy and the Science of Human Nature” (PHIL 181), a full Yale College course made available online through OYC, alongside dozens of other free lectures covering subjects from history to economics. 

Psychological formulation is a core clinical skill used across mental health disciplines to understand a person’s difficulties in context. Rather than focusing on symptoms or a diagnosis, a psychological formulation provides a structured explanation of how and why a person’s problems developed, what keeps them going, and what may help bring about change.

The human condition is defined by imperfection. Every person, regardless of background, intelligence, or intention, makes mistakes.

The DSM is currently used by most mental health professionals in the USA, but internationally influential and used by: psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors, therapists and clinicians as a guide to shape modern psychiatry and psychology.

Dr. James Davies, a psychotherapist, social anthropologist, and author, examines how the DSM evolved not purely as a scientific document, but through political, institutional, and economic forces that continue to influence mental health practices today.

The Power-Threat Meaning Structure (PTMS) is a psychological framework that offers a different way of understanding emotional distress, trauma, and mental health struggles. Rather than asking “What’s wrong with you?”, the Power-Threat Meaning Structure asks “What happened to you?”—shifting the focus from diagnosis to lived experience.

In an age where relationships are challenged by stress, digital distraction, and rapid change, couples across the world are searching for a deeper, more sustainable way to connect.

Most people describe enthusiasm as something we see: bright expressions, animated gestures or hear: an energized voice or excited tone. However, modern neuroscience suggests enthusiasm has another dimension: we can smell it!

Relationships can be deeply rewarding—but even the strongest couples hit challenging seasons.