11 emerging trends for 2023

What’s ahead for psychologists and the field?
collage of images from APA’s 2023 trends report

Psychologists are increasingly being called on to help solve some of the greatest challenges we face as a society. In 2023, APA sees this trend accelerating, along with other major changes to the field.

colorful lines linked together with black dots

Scientists reach a wider audience

Driven by a sense of purpose, psychologists are finding new ways to get research and clinical advice to those who need it
protestors with signs against vaccination

Psychologists take aim at misinformation

Psychologists are on a mission to fight conspiracy theories and other forms of dis- and misinformation with science-backed methods
colorful graphic representing charts and graphs

Psychological research becomes more inclusive

Psychologists are challenging traditional thinking about their research, including how it is conducted and who it includes
Dr. Yuma Tomes

EDI roles expand

The world is looking for leadership around equity, diversity, and inclusion, and psychologists are stepping up
smiling woman wearing a headscarf and glasses

Worker well-being is in demand

Attitudes about employee mental health have dramatically shifted, and psychologists are leading the charge to help businesses prioritize employee well-being
tween boy looking out a window

Efforts to improve childrens’ mental health increase

Research is focused on child and teen mental health, exploring why they are struggling and what can be done to help them
people handing out bags of food

Partnerships accelerate progress

Psychologists are joining forces with other professions to tackle big societal problems, from childhood mental health to police violence
outline of the back of a person's head

Suicide prevention gets a new lifeline

Psychologists remain on the forefront of suicide prevention, serving as critical first responders and training nonpsychologists to help meet the need
graphic of scribbled lines over a drawing of an academic building

Some faculty exit academia

With students feeling overwhelmed and faculty feeling unsupported and overworked, some psychologists are abandoning academia
artwork representing graphs and data

Venture capitalists shift focus

New funding is focusing on mental health apps for children and teens, as well as platforms that incorporate coaching and artificial intelligence
colorful graphic showing top view of people with arms outstretched connected to each other

Psychologists rebrand the field

Psychologists are expanding the one-to-one therapy approach to strengthen psychological health across entire populations
Date created: January 2023