Lowey Psychological Services

04/22/2026

A lot of people confuse optimism with pretending everything is fine. But real optimism is not denial. It’s the ability to stay grounded in reality while still believing change, healing, or movement is possible. 🌱 That kind of mindset can be especially helpful when someone feels stuck, discouraged, or emotionally worn down.

NPR’s Life Kit recently shared a thoughtful conversation on the difference between forced positivity and a more resilient, realistic kind of optimism.

Psychologist Deepika Chopra says that optimism isn’t about being positive all the time. It’s about staying open, curious and resilient. In her new book, The Power of Real Optimism, she explains the science behind optimism and evidence-based manifestation, and how affirmations done the right way ...

04/16/2026

“I need space” can sound scary.

A lot of people hear it as rejection, when sometimes it’s really a sign that someone feels overwhelmed and needs room to regulate before they can reconnect well. That does not make it painless, but it can change the way we interpret the moment.

This is a helpful reminder that not every pause means disconnection. Sometimes it’s part of trying not to make things worse.

If you hear it, seek clarity, not reassurance.

04/15/2026

“I need space” can sound scary.

A lot of people hear it as rejection, when sometimes it’s really a sign that someone feels overwhelmed and needs room to regulate before they can reconnect well.

That does not make it painless, but it can change the way we interpret the moment.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-instincts/202604/what-i-need-space-actually-means-in-a-relationship

This is a helpful reminder that not every pause means disconnection. Sometimes it’s part of trying not to make things worse.

04/09/2026

We’re so proud to see our very own Dr. Patricia Gratson, Psy.D. featured on Fox Good Day last week! 👏

In the segment, she breaks down an important question: Is it love, or is it limerence? While limerence can feel a lot like love, it often involves intense emotional fixation and idealization that can be confusing and overwhelming.

Thank you, Dr. Gratson, for sharing your insight on such an important topic!

Is it love or is it limerence? Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Patricia Gratson, PsyD, breaks down what limerence is and why it’s so often mistaken for love.

04/08/2026

Stress shows up in more places than we expect. For some people, it looks like clicking “add to cart.”
A recent Verywell Mind article explores “doom spending,” where shopping becomes a way to cope with stress or uncertainty.

While it can feel like relief in the moment, it often adds more pressure later, especially financially and emotionally.

Recognizing the pattern is the first step. Understanding what you are trying to soothe underneath it is where change starts.

Read more: https://www.verywellmind.com/risks-of-doom-spending-to-relieve-stress-11930812

04/01/2026

After major life changes or emotional disruption, people often try to “figure things out” by thinking harder. This awesome article explains that creativity helps the brain reorganize experience into a coherent story. 📖

Writing, art, music, or other creative outlets allow the brain to integrate difficult events instead of endlessly replaying them. Creativity is not just expression. It is how the mind rebuilds meaning.🎨

When life ruptures your sense of self, creativity is how the brain rewrites the story. Here's the neuroscience behind why it works.

03/25/2026

Many resolutions fail not because people lack motivation, but because goals are often built around pressure instead of sustainable change.

Lasting progress comes from realistic expectations, flexible thinking, and habits that support emotional well-being rather than perfection. (Growth tends to happen through small, consistent adjustments over time!) 🌱

Many people make New Year's resolutions but few keep them. Learn the psychology behind why our resolutions fail and what we can do to meet our goals instead.

03/18/2026

Many people search for purpose as something big or life-defining. Research highlighted by NPR suggests purpose often grows from something simpler: feeling that we matter to others.

Small acts of connection, contribution, and belonging help people experience meaning in everyday life. Purpose is less about finding one perfect path and more about building relationships where we feel valued and seen. 💗

Research shows that having a sense of purpose can lower stress levels and boost our mental health. Finding meaning may not have to be an ambitious project.

03/11/2026

Disagreement is not the problem. How we handle it is.

Greater Good Magazine explores how learning to disagree respectfully at work builds stronger collaboration, psychological safety, and trust. When people feel safe expressing different viewpoints, workplaces become more creative and emotionally healthy environments.

Developing skills for listening, curiosity, and respectful dialogue can turn conflict into growth instead of stress.

Read more: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/teaching_the_next_generation_how_to_disagree_at_work

03/04/2026

Vacation doesn’t always require travel. are meaningful opportunities to rest, reset routines, and reconnect with your own rhythms.

When we step away from obligations and allow real downtime (even close to home), we give ourselves emotional space for restoration, perspective, and renewal!

Sometimes the best vacation of your life doesn’t require a suitcase. Turn a week at home into a mental reset, and design a restorative escape that leaves you renewed.

02/25/2026

Not all connection is intimate or intense. Some of it is quiet, familiar, and steady. Research shared by NPR suggests that relationships with neighbors and local communities help people feel grounded and less alone.

These everyday connections may seem small, but over time, they help create a sense of belonging that supports mental health.

If you've always dreamed of having a village but feel disconnected from your community, try these five tips. Plus: We want to hear from you. Tell us how you cultivate community where you live.

02/18/2026

Self-love is often encouraged, but when it turns into avoidance or self-indulgence, it can quietly slow personal growth.

Greater Good Magazine explores how compassion without reflection may leave deeper patterns unchanged. True emotional growth often comes from balancing kindness with curiosity and honesty.

Sometimes, we can avoid hard conversations or uncomfortable connections in the name of self-love. Here's how to love yourself in a way that helps you to keep growing.