Amye Archer,
MFAShe/Her/Hers
About Amye
Amye Archer, MFA, is the author of “Fat Girl, Skinny” and the coeditor of “If I Don’t Make It, I Love You: Survivors in the Aftermath of School Shootings,” and her work has appeared in Creative Nonfiction magazine, Longreads, Brevity, and more. Her podcast, “Gen X, This Is Why,” reexamines media from the ’70s and ’80s. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction and lives with her husband, twin daughters, and various pets in Pennsylvania.
Articles by Amye
February 22, 2024
If you’re re-entering the dating world after a long hiatus, avoid these common dating mistakes and learn how to take the fear out of dating.
January 26, 2024
You’ve heard of Dry January. But if your relationship with alcohol could benefit from more exploration, you may be ready for a period of sober curiosity.
Financial trauma: How money trouble can affect mental health
January 19, 2024
From being unable to meet basic needs to experiencing a huge loss, financial trauma can happen to anyone—and it can take a real toll on your mental health.
Why you and your teenager both need a therapist
January 16, 2024
It’s crucial to support your teen’s mental health—but don’t forget yours. Helping them look for a therapist is a great chance to find one for yourself.
Easing access to therapy for Black women and girls
January 12, 2024
People of color are much less likely to receive mental health care. In response to this systemic failure, the Loveland Foundation is helping clear the way.
The loneliness of raising twins
December 15, 2023
Having two babies at once will challenge you physically, mentally, and emotionally. But what other people rarely see is how lonely all that chaos can be.
Can couples apps help you reconnect?
December 8, 2023
If you’re looking to keep (or bring back) the spark in your relationship, it may be time to get on the apps. TherapyJeff has advice on how to do it right.
Gray divorce: What to do when your marriage ends later in life
December 1, 2023
When you end a marriage later in life, it’s common to feel scared, anxious, or lonely. Learn how to move through this hard situation and come out stronger.
What does it mean to decolonize therapy?
November 17, 2023
A mental health movement is underway to center the historically excluded voices and healing practices of Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.
The internal threat of medical trauma
November 10, 2023
Trauma in a medical setting is not new, but experts have only recently begun to study the long-term impact it can have on our mental and physical health.
Can video games help level up therapy for kids?
October 27, 2023
Though gaming isn’t free of risk, some video games used responsibly in therapy—and played at home with family—can benefit kids and their mental health.
Why is teen suicide on the rise?
October 20, 2023
Today’s teens are experiencing more sadness, depression, and suicidal ideation. If you spot any of these red flags, look for professional help right away.
Trauma from bullying and cyberbullying
October 6, 2023
Bullying may look different today, but it can still happen to anyone—and it can change the way our brains work. Learn what to watch out for and how to help.
Setting healthy boundaries with clients
October 5, 2023
Setting healthy boundaries with clients can help prevent clinician burnout and strengthen the therapeutic alliance. Here’s how to get started.
How bariatric surgery can affect your mental health
September 15, 2023
If you’re considering weight-loss surgery, eating disorder expert Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir has guidance on how to protect your mental health before and after.
Eating disorders in men and boys
September 8, 2023
Boys and men make up 25% of reported cases of bulimia and anorexia, but screening tools focus mainly on women. Learn to recognize the signs and get help.
How to talk with your kids about bodies and weight
August 31, 2023
Finding healthy ways to talk about our bodies can be complicated. If you’re not sure where to start with your kids, try these tips from Rebecca Puhl, PhD.
Betrayal trauma: What it is and how to heal
August 25, 2023
Betrayal trauma occurs when someone’s trust is violated by a person or institution they depend on. Learn more about symptoms, risks, and treatment options.
Why you should go to couples therapy before moving in together
August 4, 2023
Couples therapy can help at any stage of a relationship, but especially before major life transitions. Here’s why pre-move-in counseling is catching on.
How to fix a sexless marriage (if it needs fixing)
July 21, 2023
If the amount or quality of sex you’re having doesn’t work for both partners, don’t despair. It’s possible—and can even be fun—to get back on track.
How to use social media as a therapist
June 30, 2023
Going social has risks, but it can help you expand your practice and audience. Follow Matthias Barker’s tips to use these powerful platforms responsibly.
What happens after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis
June 29, 2023
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s starts an invisible clock for both the person who has it and their loved ones. How long will it tick for? And how do you all cope?
Dads get postpartum depression, too
June 16, 2023
We tend to connect PPD with the person who gives birth, but it can happen to either parent. “I felt helpless as a man and as a father,” says Nate Evans Jr.
Put me in, coach! Just don’t stress me out
June 9, 2023
Most American kids participate in sports. But with competitive leagues asking much more of athletes and families, there may be mental health risks at play.
The ripple effect of trauma from gun violence
June 1, 2023
Imagine each mass shooting as the epicenter of an earthquake. Even indirect exposure to this kind of trauma can leave whole communities in need of support.
The slow burn of anticipatory grief
May 25, 2023
Getting a terminal diagnosis—or loving someone who does—may give you more time to prepare. Yet it can also mean that grief starts long before life ends.
Powerful as a mother: The magic that happens when moms join forces
May 12, 2023
Moms are often nurturers and protectors. The urge to care for others comes from a place of strength, and it can make an impact far beyond our own families.
To end violence against teen girls, start with teen boys
April 20, 2023
Teen girls are reporting more assaults, mainly by boys their age. How can we get to the root of the problem by addressing signs of violence before it starts?
Should I break up with my therapist? 5 signs it’s the right time
April 14, 2023
Maybe you’d like to try a new kind of therapy, or you’ve done the work and feel ready to move on. No matter the reason, start with an honest conversation.
To stay together forever, get a sleep divorce
April 7, 2023
One in five couples sleep in separate rooms. So why do we still feel so weird about it? “Disney did us dirty,” says relationship expert Alexandra Solomon.
What is gender-affirming mental health care?
March 23, 2023
Whether you’re exploring your own gender identity or wondering how to support your child, here’s how a gender-affirming therapist can help you navigate.
The future of autism intervention: Not too medical, not too social, but just right
March 10, 2023
The standard of care for autism is shifting from a medical model to a social one rooted in neurodiversity. One expert makes the case for a hybrid approach.
Caring for yourself when your job is caring for others
March 3, 2023
Mental health professionals help people in crisis and provide emotional support at home. What happens when their own mental health hangs in the balance?
How community engagement benefits your mental health
February 24, 2023
Giving back to your community through volunteering and activism has a positive impact on everyone—including you, says psychologist Charissa Pizarro.
Healing from the trauma of gun violence
February 3, 2023
Gun violence survivors carry the pain of past experience and the risk of retraumatization. Bruce Nash and Patience Murray have found ways to live with both.
What if divorce is the best thing you can do for your kids?
January 27, 2023
Divorce doesn’t have to mean disaster for your children. With the right approach and guidance, says Steven O’Brien, PsyD, it can result in a happier family.
January 20, 2023
There are many ways to lose your home, from a natural disaster to an emotional rift. Vivian Khedari DePierro, PhD, offers advice on how to move forward.
Feeling bad about feeling bad about your body
January 13, 2023
Diet culture has changed, but it’s still here—and now body positivity has entered the chat. If you feel stuck in the middle, the right therapist can help.
When your religion rejects you, what comes next?
January 6, 2023
Healing from religious trauma can be especially hard for LGBTQIA+ people, who may also face family rejection. But a new path is possible, says Margaret Conley.
Teletherapy and the promise of access
December 22, 2022
Once hailed as the path to accessible mental health care, has teletherapy really opened any doors? Tuera Holland, LMSW, explores its advantages and limits.
Could your next therapist be a chatbot?
December 15, 2022
Chatbot apps offer free, accessible mental health support—but they may cause more problems than they solve, explains Emma Bedor Hiland, PhD.
How VR therapy can help you face your fears
December 1, 2022
Virtual reality therapy can help treat conditions like anxiety, but only with the right supervision. Elizabeth McMahon, PhD, explains the benefits and risks.
The healing power of storytelling
November 18, 2022
Therapy has long been a place to share stories, and some types of therapy center reading and writing them. Bibliotherapist Bijal Shah explains how they work.
November 14, 2022
Gratitude has benefits, but forcing it can be harmful. Alyson Stone, PhD, tells us how to find balance between feeling grateful and feeling anything but.
Connecting with veterans at the holidays
November 4, 2022
For some veterans and service members, the holidays can be tough to navigate. Justin Baker, PhD, has tips for civilians and vets on how to stay connected.
November 4, 2022
TikTok shines a spotlight on mental health, but it can lead to faulty self-diagnosis. Bonnie Zucker, PhD, explains how to use the app while doing no harm.
A little horror goes a long way
October 27, 2022
Horror films are fun for some and nightmare fuel for others. Phobia expert Kevin Chapman weighs in on whether manufactured fear can cause actual harm.
Can therapy help when it’s not your own?
October 20, 2022
Podcasts like “Dear Therapists” let millions of listeners experience therapy firsthand—kind of. Are these shows for real, and do they really help?
What is digital self-harm, and why are teens doing it?
October 11, 2022
In an alarming new trend, teens are posting harmful content about themselves online. Learn more about this behavior and how to find support and treatment.
Is it healthy to take a break from the news?
October 3, 2022
If the 24/7 news cycle is affecting your mental health, you’re not alone. Jonah Paquette, PsyD, offers advice on staying informed without getting overwhelmed.
Advocating for your K-12 child with disabilities
September 12, 2022
Many school districts offer resources for K-12 kids with disabilities. Learn more about the kinds of support that may be available to your family.
Taking our anxiety back to school
August 30, 2022
Heading back to school feels much heavier than it used to. Follow this practical advice to help take care of your kids’ mental health—and your own.
Podcast roundup: The launch of crisis hotline 988
July 22, 2022
Curious about the 988 crisis hotline? These five podcasts feature in-depth interviews with mental health and crisis experts about this new national resource.