Holly Parker, Ph.D.
Psychology Today Blog: Your Future Self
Creating life today with tomorrow in mind
Dr. Holly Parker
Holly Parker, Ph.D., is a lecturer at Harvard University, where she teaches the psychology of close relationships, and a psychologist in private practice. She obtained her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychopathology from Harvard University, where she was a Karen Stone Fellow and Sackler Scholar. She re-specialized in Clinical Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In her clinical practice, Dr. Parker has worked with people across an array of issues, including relationships, self-esteem, trauma, mood, anxiety, emotion regulation, health and lifestyle, addiction, grief and loss. She is the author of When Reality Bites: How Denial Helps and What to Do When It Hurts, and If We're Together, Why Do I Feel So Alone?: How to Build Intimacy with an Emotionally Unavailable Partner.
Read more about Holly Parker, Ph.D.
Books by Holly Parker, Ph.D.
If We're Together, Why Do I Feel So Alone?: How to Build Intimacy with an Emotionally Unavailable Partner
When Reality Bites: How Denial Helps and What to Do When It Hurts
Why People Hesitate to Reach Out to Strangers
Consider starting a dialogue. You may feel discouraged, and that's OK. If you can push through the discomfort, you likely won't be disappointed.
Unrealistic Optimism, Safety, and COVID-19
The very steps we're taking to keep ourselves safe could leave us vulnerable to thinking that we're more shielded against COVID-19 than we actually are.
How Partners Can Get Better at Reading Each Other
Research suggests that people misread what's happening inside their partner's head 65-80% of the time. What might help?
A New Way to Bolster Acts of Kindness
Why are people more likely to agree to give to charity when they know they may not have to make good on their word?
Secrets and Love
Have you ever kept something hidden from a romantic partner? If so, you're definitely not alone. Available evidence indicates that roughly 60% of people have done so.
Why You Should Give More Compliments
We all have a powerful tool of human good will at our disposal, words of genuine and thoughtful appreciation that take just a few moments to give to another.
Why Couples Therapy Could Be Good for Your Health
The results imply that the moments between partners and how they handle conflict can make a difference for their health over time.
Positivity Resonance and Romantic Relationships
Research highlights the potential of brief, connected moments.
The Surprising Appeal of Having Just a Few Friends
If you have a smaller circle of friends and feel self-conscious about it, consider the possibility that you actually have more friend appeal than you realize.