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Post-Traumatic Growth: Psychological Processes, Predictors, and Clinical Implications
Post written in collaboration with @ psicologa.ilariafilonzi Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) is a psychological construct developed to describe the set of positive transformations that can emerge after exposure to a traumatic event. The concept was formulated by Tedeschi and Calhoun (1995) as an alternative to the dichotomous view of trauma-pathology, highlighting that the impact of a destabilizing experience can lead not only to suffering but also to significant psychological re
Nov 28, 20254 min read


EMPATHY AND MIRROR NEURONS: Why isn't observing an emotion enough to truly feel it?
Post written in collaboration with @ semidipsicologia Introduction Empathy is often considered a spontaneous act: “I see an emotion, I feel it”. Yet, this process is much more complex than it appears. Although mirror neurons facilitate immediate understanding of the actions and expressions of others, they are not sufficient to generate a true empathic experience (Rizzolatti & Sinigaglia, 2006). Empathy indeed requires a set of cognitive, affective, and relational functions th
Nov 27, 20256 min read


Sexuality and Affectivity in Autistic People: A Necessary Reflection
Talking about sexuality and affectivity in autistic people means addressing an area that is both delicate and fundamental to human life. The webinar led by Dr. Guido Leonti offers a valuable lens through which to understand how this topic—often overlooked—is instead central in the growth, autonomy, and well-being of every individual, including and especially those who are neurodivergent. The Risk of Invisibility One of the most powerful messages emerging from the webinar conc
Nov 26, 20254 min read


Adoption as Shared Growth Across Generations
Article written in collaboration with @simbolicamente_ Adoption represents a transformative process that involves the entire family system, taking shape as a pathway of shared growth across generations (Scabini & Cigoli, 2000). It is not a simple event, but a true family transition : a change that requires all family members to renegotiate relationships and roles in order to reestablish a new equilibrium. When a child arrives through adoption, each member of the system is cal
Nov 25, 20256 min read


MMPI-3: The New Voice of Personality - A journey through continuity and change, from the roots of the MMPI-2 to its most updated version
Written in collaboration with @istanza.tralenubi Introduction – Why a new MMPI The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) has been a key tool in clinical psychology for decades. From its first edition in 1943 until the more recent MMPI-3 , published in 2020, the test has undergone a constantly evolving process aimed at improving the accuracy and timeliness of personality assessment (Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2020). The new version was born to respond to the social,
Nov 21, 20254 min read


Positive Psychology & Happiness: A Journey Through Science and Fiction
Co-written with @ LIBRIEXPRESS Positive psychology was born with a clear intent: to understand what allows humans to function best, going beyond simply reducing symptoms to explore the breeding ground for personal growth. As Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi (2000) point out, the goal is not to ignore suffering, but to integrate the complexity of the human experience, including positive emotions, nurturing relationships, a sense of purpose, and vitality. From this perspective, ha
Nov 20, 20255 min read


Brain Development: A Deepened Overview
Brain development is a lifelong, dynamic process shaped by the interaction of genetic programs, cellular mechanisms, environmental experiences, and structural constraints of the nervous system. Stiles and Jernigan (2010) emphasize that development is not linear—it is a sequence of overlapping, interdependent processes that unfold at different rates across brain regions. Below is a deeper, more comprehensive explanation of these processes. Prenatal Foundations of Brain Develop
Nov 15, 20254 min read


Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence: Here's Why They're Not the Same Thing
Post written in collaboration with @blueadhd In recent years, we have been hearing more and more about neurodiversity and neurodivergence, two terms that seem similar but which, in reality, refer to distinct concepts. Understanding the difference is essential to promoting a more inclusive and scientifically correct view of the human mind. The concept of neurodiversity The term neurodiversity was born in the ’90s thanks to sociologist Judy Singer (1999), who proposed to consid
Nov 15, 20253 min read


When to take care of others… burns inside
Post written in collaboration with @pedagogista_erminiasolito Introduction The rapid economic and cultural transformations of recent decades, amplified by globalization and technological acceleration, have profoundly changed the structure of work and the identity dynamics of workers. In the “liquid society” (Bauman, 2011), characterized by uncertainty and precariousness, professionals live in an unstable balance between flexibility and vulnerability. The neoliberal model of p
Nov 14, 202512 min read


Self-criticism, Self-compassion and Eating Disorders: Towards an integrated understanding of maintenance mechanisms and clinical implications
Written in collaboration with @psicoavventure Referenced Article : Paranjothy, S. M., & Wade, T. D. (2024). A meta-analysis of disordered eating and its association with self-criticism and self-compassion. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 57(3), 473–536. Introduction In recent years, research on eating disorders has progressively been oriented towards a more complex and integrated vision, which considers not only eating behaviors and body image, but also the cogniti
Nov 10, 20255 min read


Suicide and social stigma in women: understanding silence and building prevention
Talking about female suicide means addressing a complex topic, intertwined with biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects. Despite advances in mental health, suicide in women remains one of the most underestimated and stigmatized phenomena. Public narratives often focus on male suicide —statistically more frequent — but overlook the peculiarities of female suicidal experience, which require a specific and informed approach. 1. Epidemiological data and trends Globall
Nov 7, 20258 min read


Theories of Development: a journey between mind, emotions and relationships
Created in collaboration with @gioquasipsy Human development is a continuous, complex, and multidimensional process involving biological, cognitive, emotional, and social factors. It does not follow a linear path, but is built through dynamic interactions between the individual and the environment (Shaffer & Kipp, 2013). Major developmental theories have sought to understand how these components intertwine throughout life. Freud, Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky represent four f
Nov 5, 20257 min read


The New ISS Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Childhood and Adolescence
In 2025 (I refer to the update performed on 29/10/2025), the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS) released the updated version of the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Children and Adolescents . The document, developed by a multidisciplinary working group coordinated by Maria Luisa Scattoni and Primiano Iannone , constitutes an essential reference for clinical practice and the organization of
Oct 31, 20254 min read


Teenagers and Social Media: What Really Happens Behind the Screen?
Introduction In the digital age, adolescent girls spend a substantial part of their time on social media: these tools are no longer just means of entertainment, but central environments of socialization, identity exploration, and communication. At the same time, an intense scientific and public debate has emerged on the role that these platforms can have in relation to the mental health of adolescents. In this paper, the following are explored: the extension of social media u
Oct 31, 20258 min read


Misconceptions about psychology: Myths and realities about mental health
Post created in collaboration with @parolesvelate Introduction Throughout history, mental health has been the subject of deep-rooted misunderstandings, fears, and stereotypes. The collective imagination, fueled by films, media and social narratives, has often portrayed the figure of the psychologist as that of a professional “for madmen” or a “reader of the mind”. These representations, in addition to being inaccurate, have contributed to an aura of mystery and distrust aroun
Oct 23, 202510 min read


The mother-child bond: a dance of looks, touches and harmonies
Written in collaboration with Dott.ssa Martina Abalsamo Introduction The relationship between mother and child is a bond that arises well before words. In the first months of life, in fact, the main language is not made up of sentences but of contact, glances, and shared rhythms. The caregiver's touch, containment, and sensitive responses not only reassure the newborn but also lay the foundation for building his internal world and his ability to regulate emotions. Psychologi
Oct 22, 202514 min read


Psychiatrist vs Psychologist vs Psychotherapist: differences, paths, roles in Italy
Very often, there is confusion about what they do, how they are formed, and what role the psychiatrist, psychologist, and psychotherapist have. It is important to know these things to choose well, avoid risks with “pseudo-professionals”, and understand your rights. Here is an understandable but precise overview. Fundamental Definitions Role Who he is /what training he has What it can do /what functions it performs Psychiatrist He is a doctor with: degree in Medicine and Surge
Sep 13, 20256 min read


Understanding Different Types of Therapy: A Guide to Choosing What Works for You
Choosing therapy can feel overwhelming: there are many approaches, each with its own philosophy, techniques, and benefits. Understanding some of the main types can help you pick what might be a good fit for your personality, issues, and goals. Mental health treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Different therapies have different goals, techniques, and evidence bases. This guide explores 11 major types of therapy — providing descriptions, key parts, what they help with,...
Sep 13, 202513 min read


Can Music Lessons Make Kids Smarter? What a New Meta-Analysis Reveals
When we think of music lessons for young children, we often imagine tiny hands tapping piano keys or little voices singing in unison. But a growing body of research suggests that the benefits of music training extend far beyond learning scales or singing on pitch. A new systematic review and meta-analysis , published in 2025, has pulled together evidence from across the globe to answer a fascinating question: Does music training improve children’s thinking skills? The answer
Sep 5, 20253 min read


Understanding Theory of Mind: A Key Competence in Human Development
The Theory of Mind (ToM) refers to a complex set of cognitive and emotional competences that allow individuals to attribute internal states—such as beliefs, desires, emotions, thoughts, and expectations—to themselves and to others. Thanks to these abilities, humans can interpret and predict behaviors, ensure continuity of the self, and navigate the social world effectively (Premack & Woodruff, 1978; Fonagy & Target, 2002). Also known as mentalization , mentalistic ability ,
Sep 5, 20256 min read
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