Setting boundaries in a relationship sounds formidable, as if it involves barbed wire or palace guards, but actually, boundaries are respectful and healthy. Boundaries need not be approached with a “keep out” sign--it’s just a matter of knowing where you end and another person begins. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explores how to set boundaries and how to know if yours have been breached. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1SlTC04

In today’s episode, we’ll tackle a challenging issue: why some individuals seem to get into one abusive situation after another. There are as many reasons as there are people involved, but there are also some common themes. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 4 frequent challenges faced by survivors of abuse, plus how you can help. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1SUfp09

Transgender individuals seem to be everywhere these days. From Laverne Cox to Bruce Jenner to Jeffrey Tambor (who isn’t trans, but plays one on TV), the transgender movement is making headlines. But this week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen looks beyond the celebrities and offer some FAQs about everyday trans men and women.

This week, we’ll wrap up our three-part series on toxic habits. Our third toxic habit? Call it overthinking, obsessing, brooding, or wallowing, or, call it the official term: rumination. In this episode of the Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 4 tips to stop the mental hamster wheel. Read the full transcript here: http://bit.ly/1KBQ1Xj

Savvy Psychologist welcomes special guest Dr. Lisa Miller, author of the fascinating new book The Spiritual Child, to discuss the importance of fostering spirituality in your child's life.

In Part 2 of the series on surprisingly toxic habits the Savvy Psychologist discusses the 3 reasons why you should avoid avoidance. (Hint: Like ostensibly loose slot machines or helping out a Nigerian prince via email, avoidance promises a big payoff, but actually leaves you worse off than before. Here's why). Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1bBVCBT.

Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen probes your psyche to find out why you're so tired, and gives advice on what you can do about it. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1CsgEZH

We all know (or were) the kid who makes us wish for the invention of a Ritalin blow dart. But is it a good idea to put kids on psychiatric meds? And once they’re on, how long is long enough? The Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen tackles the topic of psychiatric meds that start early and last a lifetime. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1CdIN5I

The latest in empathy research finds that our genes may not be selfish after all. What’s more, good empathy skills make us happier and healthier. (Plus it’s the closest you’ll get to being telepathic). This week, the Savvy Psychologist reveals 6 ways to put more "oomph" in your empathy. Read the transcript here: http://bit.ly/1HcHTxY

Affecting 3-8% of the population, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is the most common of all the personality disorders. This week, the Savvy Psychologist explains the 8 traits of OCPD.

Who’s your favorite narcissist? Kim? Justin Bieber? The Donald? And who can forget Kanye? Imma let you finish, but first, what exactly makes a narcissist? Savvy Psychologist explains, plus offers 10 tips on how to spot a narcissist. Read the transcript here: http://bit.ly/1Bg8yVQ

Affecting up to 16% of kids, Sensory Processing Disorder is the most common disorder you’ve never heard of. The Savvy Psychologist explains what is SPD and why it's so misunderstood. Plus, answers to 3 big questions about the disorder. Read the transcript here: http://bit.ly/1FGW7Tr

As a follow-up to last week’s episode on how to handle the unintentional but hurtful racism of microaggressions, this week on the Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 6 tips to be anti-racist, including why you shouldn’t claim to be color blind and why white individuals should have a racial identity. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/17kbPJd

Has a comment about race left you thinking “Did that just happen?” These incidents of microaggression can be painful and confusing. Savvy Psychologist has 6 tips to deal with racist comments or actions. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1DpCZKI

At night, you can’t sleep. In the morning, you can’t wake up. Sound familiar? Get back on track with 5 myths and facts about sleep and insomnia from Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/193gcJA

This week on the Savvy Psychologist podcast, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen outlines 4 differences between nightmares and night terrors, and best of all, how to get rid of each so you can drift back to dreamland! Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1CISAoo

With the mindfulness movement in full swing and the gratitude movement gaining steam, keeping a journal is a timely (and popular) New Year’s resolution. Check out the Savvy Psychologist's 5 tips to supercharge your writing. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1D0uunz

After a year of hosting the popular Savvy Psychologist podcast, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen has learned a lot. Check out the top 5 most important lessons from the past year - and how you can use them to make 2015 your best year ever. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/155TPk5

You may live by “Better never than late” or you may follow “Punctuality is the virtue of the bored.” Any way you slice it, being on time is a struggle for many of us. By request from Savvy listener Joaquin Garzaro of Guatemala City, here are Savvy Psychologist Ellen Hendriksen’s 10 tips to be on time, every time. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1tU1j62

Abraham Lincoln said, “To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own.” To that end, Savvy Psychologist explains how giving can actually benefit the giver even more than the receipient. Check out the 3 big benefits of altruism. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1IhPxTW

Rejection hurls a rock through the window of our confidence. It can leave us wounded and bitter, or stronger, wiser, and maybe even laughing. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 5 ways to handle rejection. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1w73AVs

Let’s call this an unconventional holiday special. Loneliness afflicts millions of Americans and the holidays are particularly hard for those who feel stuck out in the cold. This holiday season, Savvy Psychologist offers 8 tips to deal with loneliness. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/13dfWUU

Everyone has ups and downs as part of life. But imagine the normal ups and downs stretched into a roller coaster of highs and lows: life at the extremes. This week, Savvy Psychologist shares 7 signs of mania, the signature of bipolar disorder. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1xydZ0X

From haunted houses to Friday the 13th movies, we love to scare ourselves silly. And this isn’t new—from Edgar Allen Poe to the latest Stephen King, we’ve frightened ourselves on purpose for centuries. In this special Halloween edition of the Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen answers the question: Why do we enjoy being scared? Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1t8pp5r

Think of your most valued possession. Your jewelry? That box of precious family photos? Baseball memorabilia? Now, imagine feeling that way about every single item in your house. Welcome to the mindset of hoarding disorder. This week, Savvy Psychologist has 13 surprising facts about hoarding. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1rt0hGP

If you’re a chronic dieter and vacillate between hope and hopelessness, anxiety and guilt, not to mention your fat and skinny jeans, it’s time to call it quits--and be happier and healthier for it. The Savvy Psychologist offers 6 tips to put away the yo-yo for good. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1vnmZW8

News stories trumpet that social media makes us depressed, unproductive, and insecure, but little-known research shows a brighter side. The Savvy Psychologist offers 6 ways to use Facebook strategically to feel good. Plus, we’ll answer every Facebook user’s secret question! Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1w25Zme

Last week’s episode addressed 6 myths about abusive men. In this bonus episode of the Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen busts the myth that domestic violence only victimizes women. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/Zc4zuy

Many of us, on hearing the news coverage about Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, and Ray McDonald, have thought, “How could anyone do that? What was he thinking?” It turns out the truth about what goes through an abusive man’s head is not what you’d expect.This week, Savvy Psychologist busts 6 myths about abusive men. Prepare to be surprised. Visit the website: http://bit.ly/1vmaCr9

Whether you call it zoning out, spacing out, or daydreaming, we spend up to 47% of our waking lives letting our minds wander. The Savvy Psychologist explains why mind wandering happens, when it’s good, when it’s bad, and how it might even lead to your own "Eureka!" moment. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1vrU8gY

Disordered eating—the less serious, but much more common version of a full-blown eating disorder—is an unhealthy, obsessive relationship with food. This week, the Savvy Psychologist reveals 9 signs of disordered eating so prevalent they pass as “normal,” plus 4 tips on how to improve your relationship with food and your body. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1ByfMSB

What's more important for success than talent, social skills, motivation, IQ, or practice? It's a scrappy little quality called grit. This week, the Savvy Psychologist offers 8 tips to cultivate grit in kids (or yourself!) Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1qwF6Xe

Move over mindfulness, gratitude has arrived! The Savvy Psychologist offers 5 reasons to celebrate your own small-‘t’-thanksgiving, plus 4 tips to cultivate your own attitude of gratitude.Visit the website to read the full transcript: http://bit.ly/1uBgC1N

Up to one-third of Alzheimer's and dementia cases are influenced by lifestyle--and therefore, are potentially preventable. The Savvy Psychologist offers 4 tips to help keep your brain fit and healthy for years to come. Visit the website to read the full transcript: http://bit.ly/Y5CnJK

Last week, we busted 5 myths about therapy. This week, the Savvy Psychologist covers the nuts and bolts of how to talk to someone who might need help--and how to deal with what they might say to you in return. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/1mMV35A

While millions of people seek help to get through a rough patch, get some perspective, or optimize their life, others--maybe you included--are hesitant to take that step. This week, the (admittedly biased) Savvy Psychologist helps you, or someone you love, get over 5 common myths and fears about therapy.

“Psychopath” and “sociopath” are words that often get used interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same. Regardless of semantics, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen reveals how to spot the heartless, charming evil of a psychopath or sociopath. Read the transcript: http://bit.ly/U0Q4qW

Hair pulling, skin picking, and knuckle cracking, oh my! Here are 10 tips to stop the snap, crackle, and pop of your body-focused nervous habits.

Flow is total absorption in what you’re doing. When you're in it, you feel in full control, focused, un-self-conscious, and an hour can pass in what seems like a moment. In this episode, find 10 tips to help you get, well, flowing.

The Savvy Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, offers 6 tips to overcome a challenge many of us can relate to: binge eating.

The most popular day to exercise is “tomorrow.” Motivating yourself to exercise is, for most of us, an ongoing project. But even if your favorite curls are the cheese kind, here are 6 tips you’ve never heard of to get you moving.

Everyone needs a room of one’s own, some more often than others. In Part 1 of this series, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen explores some common—and not so common—variations on the state of seclusion.

The Savvy Psychologist interviews guest start Monica Reinagel, host of the Nutrition Diva podcast, about how our emotions affect what we eat and how little changes can make a big difference. Veggies with breakfast--who knew?

The Savvy Psychologist describes 7 misconceptions about PTSD and one big truth. Plus, how to approach healing and why stigma can get in the way (with a special emphasis on veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan).

While parenting decisions are generally best left to the parents, what happens when a parent does something to their child that makes your hair stand on end? This week, we’ll discuss this ethical, emotional, and safety issue all rolled into one. Plus 5 facts to help you decide with confidence whether to take action.

Do you frequently start and abandon projects? Does your ability to concentrate flip-flop between The Laser Beam and The Disco Ball? Sometimes ADHD is obvious, but sometimes it can fly under the radar. The Savvy Psychologist explains the common, and not so common, signs of this disorder. Plus, learn about medication-free tips to manage ADHD in kids and adults.

When there’s a tough issue at hand, we run away, avoid people for weeks, screen calls, or pretend to change addresses. The Savvy Psychologist has 13 tips on how to stop avoiding conflict and tackle those tough conversations.

When all that’s left of the fa-la-las is rock-hard fruitcake, the winter blahs creep up, settle in, and hang around until spring. Clinical psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen offers 8 tips to deal with the blahs and their more serious cousin, Seasonal Affective Disorder.