Latest news with #psychology
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
Burjeel Holdings' JV Alkalma launches regional mental health platform with four premier centers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi: In a strategic move to enhance access to mental health services across the region, Burjeel Holdings, a leading super-specialty healthcare services provider in MENA, has launched four specialist mental health centers under its mental health and wellbeing platform, Alkalma, through the integration of Aspris Healthcare facilities. The centers, located in Dubai's City Walk and Dubai Healthcare City, Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen, and Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District, are recognized for delivering personalized, adaptable mental healthcare across a wide spectrum of psychological needs. These newly integrated centers deliver personalized care through a range of therapy formats, including individual, group, and family sessions, now aligned with Alkalma's mission to build a value-driven mental healthcare ecosystem rooted in prevention, accessibility, and overall wellbeing. Together, the four centers offer a combined annual capacity of approximately 90,000 consultations. Although mental health conditions affect up to one in five individuals annually, they account for less than 5% of total health spending across the region. This underinvestment is compounded by a persistent shortage of clinical professionals and limited access to integrated networks, highlighting a critical gap that Alkalma is designed to address. This launch marks the first phase of a multi-year expansion strategy. By establishing a presence in major urban markets and aligning operations with Keralty's globally validated, value-based care models, Alkalma is laying the foundation for a scalable platform positioned to meet rising demand and deliver measurable health and economic outcomes. John Sunil, Chief Executive Officer of Burjeel Holdings, said: 'Integrating these centers into our ecosystem marks a pivotal step in realizing our vision for a regional mental health platform rooted in Alkalma's values of clinical excellence and inclusivity. It enables us to expand access to high-quality care while accelerating the delivery of outcomes that matter to patients and health systems alike.' Alkalma was launched as a strategic joint venture between Burjeel Holdings and Colombia-based healthcare leader Keralty, a global organization with nearly five decades of experience in value-based care. As a founding partner, Keralty brings deep expertise in delivering integrated mental health and primary care services across nine countries, including the U.S., supporting over 500,000 individuals globally in behavioral health. Dr. Emilio Herrera, CEO of Alkalma, said: 'At Alkalma, we believe a healthcare system is defined by how it supports those most in need. There is no health without mental health. Establishing our presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia reflects our commitment to advancing national priorities and bringing the best scientific evidence, the highest quality of care, to serve the community. This is only the beginning.' Shorooq, a leading regional investment manager, facilitated the strategic integration of Aspris Healthcare facilities. Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner at Shorooq, said: 'We are proud to see these facilities become foundational to a regionally integrated mental health ecosystem. We believe private equity can be a transformative force in sectors that touch people's lives.' In the coming months, Alkalma will fully integrate these centers under a unified brand, expand clinical capacity, and launch a digital mental-health platform to reach under-served populations. Further centers in new communities across the UAE and Saudi Arabia are under review as part of the JV's regional scale-up plan. Alkalma is positioned to play a defining role in shaping the region's next-generation mental health ecosystem, delivering value across patients, systems and stakeholders.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Research shows it's normal for relationship satisfaction to vary lots
You may find it reassuring to learn that often, people's satisfaction levels vary quite a lot within a relationship, even within a short space of time, a new study says. Satisfaction with your partner or relationship can fluctuate significantly within a few days or even within a single day, according to a psychological study carried out in Germany. This finding could help to better support couples, by showing them in therapy that fluctuating satisfaction is perfectly normal to a certain extent and does not necessarily jeopardise a relationship. Be clear about your own needs At the same time, experiencing fluctuations in satisfaction can show couples in romantic relationships that their needs are not being fully met - so could be a signal that improvement is needed. "To this end, partners should be clear about their needs and express them appropriately," says psychologist Louisa Scheling, lead author of the University of Mainz study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The extent to which the partner is perceived as approachable or responsive has a significant influence on satisfaction. A certain "emotional instability in men" also has a significant effect, the study says. That may be because women are more accustomed to emotional fluctuations due to their hormonal cycles. In men, on the other hand, emotional instability tends to be attributed to relationship dynamics, the authors say. "Reliable perception and fulfilment of needs by the partner contributes significantly to stable relationship satisfaction in everyday life," says Scheling. Ultimately, it is similar to a parent-child relationship, she adds. "If needs are consistently met, then satisfaction remains stable at a high level." Variation greater between days than within one day The study found relationship satisfaction varied significantly between days and within each day. The variance between days was greater than within a single day. It also showed that the ups and downs in satisfaction among partners were relatively synchronised and that varying satisfaction was not related to demographic factors, meaning that it is a common experience for most couples, even those who have been in a relationship for a long time. Up until now, research has so far focused on how satisfaction with a relationship develops over months and years, the study says. However, since romantic relationships develop in everyday life, it is crucial to also examine satisfaction and fluctuations within short periods of time – given that in Western countries, one in three marriages end in divorce, meaning that many relationships break down. Scheling and her team of scientists, who collaborated with other research institutions, evaluated data from two previous studies involving couples consisting of one man and one woman. Data from a study conducted by the University of Basel between 2016 and 2018 included information from nearly 600 couples who recorded their satisfaction levels in several waves. Participants were couples from Switzerland, Austria and Germany over the age of 18 who had been together for at least one month. The other online study, conducted by the Universities of Mainz and Heidelberg between 2021 and 2023, included data from 150 couples who were asked about their satisfaction several times a day. In this study, the participants were couples who had only moved in together in the past four weeks.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Dad brain': How becoming a father changes your brain
It's not only mothers who experience profound changes around the birth of a child - fathers also show measurable adjustments in brain structure and hormone balance, according to new research led by psychology professor Darby Saxbe at the University of Southern California. Results from brain scans show: The cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions, also changes in fathers, Saxbe explains in the American Psychological Association (APA) podcast Speaking of Psychology. The changes are more subtle than in mothers, but nevertheless detectable - and they appear to promote the fathers' ability to care. There are also changes in hormone levels. The testosterone levels of many fathers fall after the birth, something associated with a higher motivation to look after the baby, explains Saxbe. This means that less testosterone can mean more closeness to the child, as well as a better quality of relationship during the transition to parenthood. At the same time, it was shown that partners of fathers with lower testosterone reported fewer depressive symptoms - provided the relationship was good. Poor sleep is a constant companion of young parents. And according to Saxbe's research, lack of sleep is a consequence rather than a cause of brain changes. Those who are particularly involved in caring for the baby often sleep less well - but the brain seems to want to "remodel" itself precisely for this purpose. Her research also suggests that fatherhood is a real "development window" for the brain - comparable to adolescence or childhood. "Every window of change is a window of vulnerability, but it's also a window of opportunity," says the professor. Anyone who initially feels that they are unable to concentrate like they used to need not worry immediately. This is because children boost their parents' memory: they sharpen their cognitive skills and parents have "more ability to remember and retrieve things" that are related to the child. Another key finding: fathers who take parental leave also benefit - but mothers benefit even more. They sleep better, are less stressed and show fewer depressive symptoms, her research showed. "It was really the moms that had the biggest benefit." Parental leave is something that not only benefits fathers, but the whole family. "We know it has benefits for the children. We also know that it's beneficial for the partner. And I think that anything you can do to take the pressure off the family system is also a way of managing stress." - Darby Saxbe is Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. There she directs the Neuroendocrinology of Social Ties (NEST) Lab, where she studies how close relationships affect health, with a particular focus on the transition to parenthood. Her book "Dad Brain" is due to be published next year.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
How Many Exclamation Points Are Too Many in an Email? A Psychologist Weighs In
How Many Exclamation Points Are Too Many in an Email? A Psychologist Weighs In originally appeared on Parade. Writing an email might seem like common sense—just type out what you want to say and hit send, right? But once your fingers hit the keyboard, things can get a little tricky. It's not always the words or fancy phrasing that trip you up—it's the punctuation. Suddenly, you're staring at a sentence, wondering if it really needs an exclamation point, where you should put it or how many exclamation points are too many to . After all, you want to sound polished and professional, but also friendly and excited—especially when you're messaging someone you've never met or worked with before. Without your voice, facial expressions or a laugh to soften the tone, punctuation is the only way you can strike the perfect balance between sounding confident and why we reached out to psychologist who has over 641K followers on Instagram. She breaks down the subtle psychology behind punctuation in emails and explains how using something as small as an exclamation point over a period can shift the entire tone of your message. She explains why it's a fine line to walk, and that the key is to strike a balance—enough to convey warmth and enthusiasm, but not so much that it distracts from the professionalism you want to maintain. With her expertise, you can feel confident successfully adding well-placed exclamation points into your so you can come off as approachable without making yourself sound overly excited or insincere by doing so. It's all about using punctuation with intention and knowing that it can help your personality shine when done Dr. Slavens tells Parade that including exclamation points in a work-related email isn't looked at as unprofessional. It can make the person using them more likable.'Using an exclamation point isn't something to be embarrassed about—it doesn't make you look less professional,' she explains. 'If anything, it shows you're making an effort to be approachable, which most people appreciate, especially over email, where tone can so easily get lost.'So, why do some people avoid using them? 'Some people tend to avoid using exclamation points when they email others because they've been told—directly or indirectly—that incorporating enthusiasm looks unprofessional,' Dr. Slavens explains. 'That usually happens because in some industries there's still a lingering idea that being taken 'seriously' equals using no exclamation points. Due to that, people steer clear of them, even if it flattens their natural voice a bit.'Related: When it comes to the amount of exclamation points you should or shouldn't use in an email, Dr. Slavens shares that the number can vary slightly.'In an email, there should be one or two exclamation points, max,' she reveals. 'That way, there is enough to add warmth when you're reaching out to a new client, a coworker or someone you've never met, but not so many that it reads like you're yelling or overselling excitement. By including at least one well-placed exclamation point, it can make you sound more human and relatable. It can also soften the edges of what could otherwise come across too flat or transactional.'She adds that it's all about balance, in the end. For example, you don't want to have an exclamation point after every single sentence, she reveals, because it could "start to feel frantic" if that's the case. "That's why you should stick to including them in places where it makes sense to sound genuinely friendly, or where you want to express happiness about something," Dr. Slaves explains. "For instance, when you greet someone in an email you can write, 'Hi Tessa!' or after you express appreciation about something, you can say, 'Thanks so much for your help!' Another option is to place one when you're closing an email with excitement, where you can mention something like, 'I'm looking forward to working together!''Related: If you use over two exclamation points, Dr. Slavens says it could give off a different impression than you intended it to. 'If you use too many exclamation points, it can start to undermine what you're actually saying," she reveals. "It makes it hard for the reader to tell what's truly important and what's just awkward filler excitement. I usually suggest no more than one per short email, and if it's a longer email, two max—and never use them back-to-back.'Related: If you're someone who leans on exclamation points, Dr. Slavens tells Parade it's often driven by an instinct to sound upbeat and personable. 'People usually overuse exclamation points because they want to make sure their tone comes across as friendly,' she discloses. 'Emails can flatten nuance and a lot of us, especially if we work in helping fields or people-centered roles, would rather sound overly warm than risk sounding cold or rude. It's less about being unprofessional and more about trying to make sure the other person feels good reading it.'Up Next:Dr. Caitlin Slavens is a psychologist with over 641K followers on Instagram. How Many Exclamation Points Are Too Many in an Email? A Psychologist Weighs In first appeared on Parade on Jun 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
13 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
‘Psychology Of Winning' Pioneer Denis Waitley Dead At 92
Dr. Denis Waitley, speaking on the Psychology of Winning, at the Wentworth Hotel, June 27, 1980. ... More (Photo by Paul Stephen Pearson/Fairfax Media via Getty Images). Famed motivational psychologist Dr. Denis Waitley died in his sleep on June 7th, 2025. He was a major player in a new phenomenon that arose in America – the motivational rally. In auditoriums and convention centers, businesspeople, educators, salespeople, and homemakers gathered to hear speakers such as Norman Vincent Peale, Zig Ziglar, and Art Linkletter, among others, extol the virtues of positive thinking, unbridled optimism, and hard work. Waitley's The Psychology of Winning self-development program would go on to sell over two million copies and capture the hearts of many baby boomer age adherents, eager to carve out their place in the world. Waitley's message was built on his study of the traits that high-achieving people have in common. As a young magazine journalist, I interviewed Waitley in 1982 and asked him which characteristic, above all others, seemed to define winners from the rest of the pack? 'It's their understanding of the degree of control that their thoughts have over the actions that follow in their lives," he said. "Whether they are astronauts, parents, or prisoners of war, these individuals have taken responsibility for their actions. The deepest, most significant choice we make is in the way we choose to think." The difference between winners and losers, Waitley taught, was in what he called a person's 'self-talk.' 'The mind is talking to itself constantly at some eight hundred words per minute. Winners, he found, think constantly in terms of 'I can,' "I will,' and 'I am,' while losers concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do. When our self-talk is positive, Waitley observed, the mind then goes to work instructing the body to carry out the performance of the thought as if it had already been achieved before and is merely being repeated. Waitley would go on to sell these ideas and many others to audiences of self-improvers worldwide. He spent more than four decades on the international speaking circuit, logging an average of 500,000 miles each year, helping people—from astronauts to Olympic athletes, corporate leaders to schoolchildren—redefine success from the inside out. Waitley's clients included everyone from members of the U.S. Olympic team to Super Bowl champions, as well as scores of corporate clients. Waitley was the former Chairman of Psychology for the U.S. Olympic Committee's Sports Medicine Council and authored 16 books, including classics such as Seeds of Greatness, The Winner's Edge, and Empires of the Mind. He was invited to join NASA's astronaut training program, where he worked with space shuttle crews on mental preparation. Around the same time, he began coaching elite athletes on visualization techniques. He popularized the use of guided imagery and mental rehearsal long before it became mainstream. His speeches—delivered with laid-back authority, a radio announcer's voice, and self-effacing storytelling—centered on mental toughness, personal responsibility, and visions of a brighter future. Forty years after my interview with Waitley, his observations ring relevant today. When asked to summarize his primary message, he responded: 'The period we're living in is no worse than any other period in history, and probably better. Since society is changing rapidly, it's up to the individual to view change as normal, and to see many of the changes taking place as positive rather than negative.' Yet behind the inspiring keynotes and bestselling books was a man whose private life was marked by turmoil. Born in 1942, Waitley grew up in Depression-era San Diego, California. His mother worked in a factory, and his father was a warehouseman. They soon divorced. 'One night my father came into our bedroom to say goodbye,' Waitley recalled in an interview with Success Magazine. 'We didn't see him again for six years.' Waitley's struggle to break free of a loser mindset and shift into an abundant winner's mindset propelled his determination to make something of himself. 'I wrote The Psychology of Winning while I was losing,' Waitley recalled. 'I wanted to remind myself what I needed to do to change myself from loser to winner.'
