Alexandra Stratyner, Ph.D., is a New York City-based licensed psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness skills training. Dr. Stratyner ...

Phillips cautions, “To say that a person is toxic is to reduce them to only bad qualities and dismiss any redeeming qualities or strengths. When we understand that ‘hurt people hurt people,’ we can ...

We all know the importance of fostering close social connections. Friends are great—until they’re not. Psychologists say they hear often about so-called toxic friendships, which veer away from the ...

Friendships change throughout life, and here are tips for handling harmful ones. How do you know when a friendship turns toxic? For 26-year-old Danielle from Orange County, California, she realized in ...

Realizing a friend is toxic is tricky because initially toxic folks are nice. Yet, slowly and methodically, the toxic person often convinces the other person in the friendship that they are the ...

Friends are the cornerstone of a fulfilling and happy life. But some friendships can veer into toxicity, leaving emotional scars that make us want to withdraw altogether. As a psychologist and expert ...

Worried that your child seems to feel bad about themselves after hanging out with a particular friend? Concerned that your kid may not realize they have a "toxic" pal? Lisa Pion-Berlin is a ...

My whole life, I’ve tried to fit into big social groups. It seemed so fun to have many friends and do many cool things together. But every time I was part of such a crowd, something felt off. I couldn ...

It’s normal if you don’t love all of your child’s friends. Your kids are allowed to have friends that aren’t exactly your cup of tea, and it’s important to let your child explore different kinds of ...