9 Psychology Journals and Magazines for Therapists

If you’re looking to add to your subscription list, try one of these psychology journals. Better yet, try them all!

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller

As an experienced clinician, you know how important it is to be well-read in your field. Not only do psychology journals help you stay up-to-date in your specialty—which is, of course, the most important reason to subscribe—but they, as well as psychology magazines, also keep you current with the issues individuals may be facing, as well as how counselors are approaching client care.

But, with the very many psychology journals and magazines being published both in print and online, how do you know which are the best? Look to build a personal library that includes both light reads in magazines and more challenging scholarly peer-reviewed journals. Since reading is often used as part of a self-care practice, choose psychology journals you actually enjoy!

1. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology

Cost: Subscription available with APA membership

Published under the auspices of the American Psychological Association (APA), this journal studies culture, race, and ethnicity and its intersection with psychology. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology is published quarterly, starting in January. Expect a mix of community-based participatory research, evidence-based interventions to underserved communities, and studies of public policy and it’s relation to treatment.

2. Developmental Psychology

Cost: Subscription available with APA membership

If you’re a general or family psychologist, you’re likely treating individuals of all age groups. Your technique changes with the age of your clients, which is why Development Psychology, published by APA, will give you access to research and analysis on development throughout an individual’s lifespan.

3. The Inquisitive Mind

Cost: Free

An online journal focusing on social psychology, The Inquisitive Mind covers politics, religion, love, family, and more. The reads range from light topics to more research-based studies. An online journal is a perfect addition to your reading list because it’s accessible from anywhere at any time. Instead of scrolling absentmindedly on social media, you can spend your online time staying current in your field.

4. The Journal of Family Therapy

Cost: $106

If you’re a family therapist and are looking to subscribe to more peer-reviewed journals, the Journal of Family Therapy is a quarterly option that would make an ideal addition to your reading list. It covers all research related to the family, including psychoanalysis and clinical psychology.

5. Monitor on Psychology

Cost: $6 for APA members, $50 for nonmembers

Published by APA, Monitor on Psychology addresses association news and highlights, but more importantly, it keeps psychologists up-to-date with research findings and informative articles.

6. The National Psychologist

Cost: $35 annually or $60 for two years

The National Psychologist is a bimonthly, independent magazine. The biggest perk to subscribing? The journal allows psychologists to earn approved continuing education credits for reading each issue. What more could you ask for? Oh, that’s right. They have a dynamic website full with even more content.

7. Psychology of Men & Masculinity

Cost: Subscription available with APA membership

If you treat male clients, whether they are children or adults, Psychology of Men & Masculinity is a smart addition to your reading list. Published through APA, this journal studies everything from fathering, body image, sexual development, addiction, and the relationships built by men with other men or with women.

8. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law

Cost: Subscription available with APA membership

Anyone with interest in public policy and the law should immediately subscribe to Psychology, Public Policy, and Law. This journal is read and written by psychologists and also legal scholars and public policy analysts who want to address how psychology impacts public policy and legal issues.

9. Scientific American Mind

Cost: Digital 19.99 | Print & Digital 29.99

Scientific American is a powerhouse popular science magazine, and their bimonthly magazine Scientific American Mind is an ideal read for psychologists who are looking for hearty articles that cover research while remaining a light read. With options for digital and print subscriptions, you can’t go wrong.

“To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” – Edmund Burke

Now that you have ten psychology journals and magazines to devour, here’s one more suggestion. Keep a journal of your thoughts while reading. A self-care journal isn’t just for writing your thoughts about what you’re grateful for or even your stressors. It’s also for taking notes on things that inspire you, lessons you’ve learned, and what you’d like to learn more about.

As a counselor, you spend just as much time writing as you do reading. While your writing may consist mainly of therapy notes that doesn’t mean it’s any less important than the work you’re reading in journals, which is why you need a practice management system that safeguards your notes and keeps them organized for you. SimplePractice’s autosave feature protects your hard work just in case you get called into an emergency. Try us free for 30 days.

Do you have a list of favorite psychology journals or magazines? What would you add to this list? Share your best reads with the community in the comment section.

Looking for more great reads?

If you found these tips useful, here are more blog posts you may like:

• How to Use Psychology Workshops as a New Revenue Stream
• Books That Shape Us
• Spotlight Interview with Dr. Erika Martinez