In pursuit of continued self-education within the field, many psychologists and therapists turn to magazines, podcasts, and other timely resources to stay up to date on the ever-changing field of psychology and behavioral health. A quick Google search, however, can return an overwhelming number of results online, and professionals in all industries can find themselves struggling to identify the most credible resource for their unique professional interests or areas of expertise.
Valant understands sifting through all of this information can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best psychology magazines and journals for psychologists to serve as a quick reference guide.
1. Psychology Today
First Published: 1967
Publisher: Sussex Publishers
Frequency: Bimonthly
Area of Focus: General psychology, human behavior
Peer Reviewed? No
Since its first publication in 1967, Psychology Today has found immense popularity among behavioral health professionals. In fact, Psychology Today is not just popular among those in the industry; with contributions from top psychologists and psychiatrists from every walk of life, anyone interested in the human mind can find something of note in the magazine’s accessible material. With an ever-expanding list of expert writers, Psychology Today is a great place to keep up with the latest trends and topics of conversation within the psychological field.
2. Psychological Review
First Published: 1894
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Frequency: Quarterly
Area of Focus: Psychological theory
Peer Reviewed? Yes
For a more in-depth read, the APA Psychological Review features articles that make important theoretical contributions to the field of psychology. It is regarded as one of the most prominent, influential, and prestigious psychological journals, earning trust from industry professionals since its first publication in 1984. This journal is a must-read for anybody in the psychological field to stay up to date with the newest theories and research around psychology.
3. APS Observer
First Published: 1988
Publisher: Association of Psychological Science
Frequency: Bimonthly
Area of Focus: Related issues of national significance, general psychology
Peer Reviewed? No
Originally published as a newsletter, the Association of Psychological Science’s Observer aims to educate industry professionals on the latest research, academic, and applied disciplines of psychology; for more casual reading, it also covers relevant social and political topics as they pertain to psychology. While the APS also publishes a psychological journal periodically, the Observer is the APS’s flagship, full-color psychology magazine. As an organization, the Association of Psychological Science’s mission is to promote, protect, and advance the science of psychology, resulting in the improvement of human welfare. APS members represent the largest organization of psychologists, boasting more than 134,000 members around the world. This psychological journal is a great reference to keep up with the cutting edge of scientific psychology research.
4. American Journal of Psychology
First Published: 1887
Publisher: University of Illinois Press
Frequency: Quarterly
Area of Focus: Experimental psychology
Peer Reviewed? Unknown
The American Journal of Psychology is a quarterly publication devoted to almost exclusively experimental psychology. The first journal of its kind to be published in the English language, the AJP has produced several groundbreaking papers in the field of psychology. The AJP takes a deep dive into the science of behavior and the mind. This journal, known for its groundbreaking experimental research, is great for anyone interested in theoretical and experimental innovations in psychology.
5. APA Monitor on Psychology
First Published: Unknown – before 2001
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Frequency: Monthly
Area of Focus: Psychological research, general psychology
Peer Reviewed? No
In addition to the Psychological Review and the library of other publications the American Psychological Association releases, they also release a monthly magazine, the APA Monitor. The APA Monitor is a must-read psychology magazine for everyone in the field — from educators to practitioners, and especially APA members. The Monitor covers the science and practice of psychology, education, and how psychology influences society. The APA Monitor on Psychology is the perfect tool for staying up to date and informed on the latest psychology news.
6. APA Psychological Bulletin
First Published: 1904
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Frequency: Monthly
Area of Focus: Psychological research, scientific psychology
Peer Reviewed? Yes
Another standout of the APA’s extensive library of psychological journals is the Psychological Bulletin. The Bulletin is a monthly peer-reviewed academic journal focused on publishing research reviews and interpretations of issues in psychology. The Psychological Bulletin has built a reputation for being a great source of reliable information for psychologists, having been cited 2,400 times over the last three years. The Bulletin provides readers with important research and discourse over the latest discoveries in the field of psychology.
7. Journal of Clinical Psychology
First Published: 1945
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Frequency: Monthly
Area of Focus: Clinical psychology, psychological research
Peer Reviewed? Yes
Since 1945, the Journal of Clinical Psychology has been a leading peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research, assessment, and practice. With only eight issues published annually, the Journal of Clinical Psychology touches on many topics related to the practice of clinical psychology, including psychopathology, psychodiagnostics, and psychotherapeutic practice. This journal is a great resource for practicing psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists for improving patient care and outcomes.
8. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
First Published: 1937
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Frequency: Monthly
Area of Focus: Clinical psychology
Peer Reviewed? Yes
As the name suggests, the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (JCCP) documents advances in clinical psychology, reporting on studies related to the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral disorders. The JCCP encourages contributions appealing to a broad audience of clinical scientists and practitioners, including topics like the impact of culture, demographics, or personality on clinical treatment. It does not accept submissions, however, dealing with etiology, descriptive pathology, or the assessment of diagnostic procedures and concepts, which you can find in other APA publications focused on those specific areas of research.
9. American Psychologist
First Published: 1946
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Frequency: 9 publications/year
Area of Focus: High-impact issues, related issues of national/international significance
Peer Reviewed? Yes
There truly is something for every professional within the APA library! For psychologists and other behavioral health professionals looking to stay informed on the most high-impact studies in their field, the American Psychologist is an excellent choice for semi-regular reading. The American Psychologist is the APA’s flagship peer-reviewed scholarly journal, published 9 times a year and focused on covering the most significant — nationally and internationally — studies within psychological science, practice, education, and policy.
Best Psychology Magazines & Journals for Mental Health Professionals – Conclusion
To stay up to date in psychology, monitoring the contents of the most trusted psychology journals and magazines is critical. Let Valant help shoulder the load of running your group psychology practice with not just this list of reading materials, but also our state-of-the-art EHR software built exclusively for behavioral health. Our easy-to-use software will free up time for your staff clinicians and professionals, enabling them to devote time to staying knowledgeable
