As psychologists and therapists, we often draw on external sources in our research, sessions, and continuing education with relevant topics. One that you may have seen mentioned – not only around our site and posts, but in many psychologist circles – is Psychology Today, a popular magazine and website with a broad public appeal to readers of all knowledge levels.
The magazine was founded in New York City in 1967 by Dr. Nicolas Charney, an American psychologist who wanted to make the academic findings of his field more accessible to the general public. Building on that base and publishing every two months, they have spent more than five decades covering some of the most prominent topics of study – everything from neuroscience and sexuality to parenting, relationships, alternative medicine, and the impact of the modern world on psychological health.
When the internet began to take off, the magazine also went digital, providing an excellent resource for professionals and patients alike. It features directories of licensed therapists and psychologists for people needing verified information. There are hundreds of blog entries by psychologists, social workers, doctors, scientists, and sociologists on topics like COVID, emotions, general health, aging, self-help, and relationships. There is even a “Find a Therapist” search bar for easy access to their verified network, right from their main home page. The site is an all-in-one place for relevant and relatable psychology information.
What type of magazine is Psychology Today?
Many people think Psychology Today is a dry academic journal, but it’s actually much easier to read than that. It’s meant to bring information to people who might not have a psychology background, being cutting-edge and accurate without getting too boring or weighed down with technical terms.
How much does a Psychology Today membership cost?
In Alberta, a two-year subscription (12 issues) is roughly $40 with GST. That works out to about $3.33 per issue. You can get more issues (18) or less (6), depending on your needs.
How often does Psychology Today come out?
It is published every two months, with the most recent issue being December 2020. The next ones will come out in February and April 2021.
What does it mean to be verified by Psychology Today?
When a therapist or psychologist is verified by the magazine, their license has been independently confirmed. This allows that person to have a verified profile and a more trusted presence, both on the magazine’s website and on their own.
Who owns Psychology Today?
The magazine is owned by Sussex Publishers, a private publishing corporation based in New York City. There is no single person that runs the magazine or the website, or that chooses what articles to publish or reject – there is a whole team of editors and directors who collectively decide what to focus on, and in so doing they try to avoid some of the individual biases that we all possess.
So with all of this knowledge now, you might be wondering…
Is Psychology Today a reliable website?
For general purposes, Psychology Today is a great resource to get your feet wet with some of the most current topics in psychology. If you want a high-level overview of the cutting edge of research, it offers an excellent way to stay aware without getting too far into the details.
With that said, though, it’s important to remember that it is a magazine and not a scholarly journal – so many of the articles and blogs do not go through the same intensive scrutiny that peer-reviewed studies do. It might be a good place to get ideas and starting points for further reading and research, but it likely wouldn’t stand as a strong primary source all on its own.
After all, psychology is all about doing things right and refining knowledge, so in any professional or academic setting, it’s important to use the best and most highly-tested work available. That would be found in a dissertation, a journal, or a lab, not a public magazine.
How do I contact Psychology Today?
If you are a writer with some wisdom to share in the world of psychology, you can submit your work for possible publication via their website. If you want to get a hold of the editors or other staff, you can email directly from the website.
And, if you’re just looking for a new therapist who’s verified and trustworthy, their toolbar is a perfect place to start your search. Remember, whether it’s with our Calgary Psychologists here at Flourish Psychological Services, or someone else closer to your area or specific needs, there’s always someone to listen!