Straight, S. (2026, January 1). What’s ahead for psychology? 9 trends to watch in 2026. Monitor on Psychology, 57(1). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2026/01-02/nine-trends-to-watch
Each year, we ask a big question: What forces are shaping psychology right now—and what’s coming next? To answer, our editorial team spends months consulting with experts, reviewing research, and listening to voices across the discipline. This year, nine trends rose to the top—developments we believe every psychologist, psychology-adjacent professional, and informed reader should know about.
These trends reflect a field in motion: from integrated care and AI-driven tools to new approaches in advocacy, workplace well-being, science communication, and mental health for children and teens. They reveal both challenges and opportunities for psychologists to lead with insight and impact.
We hope these stories spark ideas, conversations, and action. If you’re working in any of these areas—or have been affected by these changes—we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a note. We can’t respond to every entry, but we will read every one. We’d love to hear from you.
