Michigan School of Psychology

09/01/2026

“Rather than relying on milestones like marriage and parenthood to define adulthood, emerging adulthood focuses on developing capacities—things like emotion regulation, tolerating ambiguity, and exercising self-restraint in high-stress situations.”

There is more uncertainty than ever when it comes to early adulthood. This has led to increased attention from psychologists who are looking to determine the best ways to support this population and their needs.

High housing costs, a tough labor market, and a climate of uncertainty cause many to delay classic adult milestones.

08/31/2026

08/30/2026

Don’t forget to RSVP for our Fall Open House, taking place on Tuesday, September 22nd from 5-7 PM EST! This is the perfect opportunity to get your questions about the application process answered, learn more about our programs, and hear from students about their experience. RSVP here: https://msp.edu/admissions-2/msp-open-house-rsvp/

08/29/2026

“Having conversations with someone who holds an opposing viewpoint may shift attitudes more than people expect, according to research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. In several online studies, participants in the United States and United Kingdom underestimated how much their attitudes and their conversation partner’s attitudes would change after talking about a topic on which they disagreed.”

Did you know the APA’s Monitor on Psychology publishes a briefing on new research in every issue? The In Brief column summarizes important psychological research and serves as a great resource for students and practicing clinicians who want to stay on top of what’s happening in the field.

Summaries of research from psychology and related fields.

08/28/2026

“Research shows that having a more stress-is-enhancing mindset is linked to better mental health outcomes in the long run, including higher resilience, more optimism, and lower anxiety and depressive symptoms, Williams said.”

Preparing for a stressful event, such as moving to a new place or starting school, by changing how you think about stress can be key to helping you to manage it.

Stress — and how we think about it — may actually help us thrive.

08/27/2026

“What we frequently forget is that this unchosen life has an unfair advantage: the life you rejected remains protected from reality. Because you never lived it, it hasn't disappointed you, hurt you, exposed your limitations, become boring or repetitive, or developed the difficulties that accompany every real life.”

Counterfactual thinking is the psychological concept behind lingering on life’s what ifs. While it may be nice to think about what could have been on occasion, it tends to prevent us from living fully in the moment.

The life you imagine may not be better than the one you chose; it may simply be protected from reality.

08/25/2026

“Research has shown that people accomplish more when they buddy up. A 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that couples were more likely to make healthy behavioral changes, such as working out more or cutting back on smoking, if their partner adopted healthy changes too.”

Finding an accountability buddy, someone with similar goals to your own, is a great motivator! At MSP, you might find an accountability buddy in a classmate with the same assignment deadlines, another student working on their dissertation, or another clinician trying to find time to complete therapy notes at your practicum site.

Some people team up with an "accountability partner" or "accountability group" to accomplish big goals or tasks. Here's how to set up a successful partnership.

08/23/2026

“That’s totally okay, because the beauty of mindfulness is that you can apply it in small ways throughout daily life. ‘Some [people] have the misconception that mindfulness means they need to sit cross-legged, eyes closed, and ready to commit to at least 10 to 15 minutes.’”

Many people confuse mindfulness and meditation, and while meditation can be a part of practicing mindfulness, it is not a requirement. Mindfulness can also include things like breath work, drawing, people-washing, dishwashing, and so much more.

A formal practice isn’t for everyone, and it’s not the only way to feel calmer.

08/22/2026

“Taking a moment to check in on the people we care about is an act of community care. It matters — not just to you, but also to the people around you. In a world that can be chaotic, caring for each other gives everyone the strength to keep going.”

Want to check in on someone in your life but not sure how to begin? Check out Mental Health America’s conversation starters.

Support starts with a conversation. Use these mental health check-in ideas to connect with people you care about.

08/21/2026

“Grad school also is a unique experience. It’s unlike college, where classes are of chief importance, cramming the night before leads to decent grades and there’s plenty of time for play and extracurricular activities. Being a graduate student is a full-time job that requires you to sharpen a variety of skills — and learn some new ones.”

We are so excited to welcome our incoming students to campus in just a few short weeks. If you’ll be joining us this fall, now is a great time to start preparing for life as a graduate student!

Carol Williams-Nickelson, Ph.D, former associate executive director of the American Psychological Association