Looking for psychologists to follow on Twitter, now known as X? This list highlights 30 working psychologists worth following for their credentials, published research, and real-time takes on mental health and behavior. It spans clinical, social, cognitive, and media psychology, so there’s a fit for almost any interest.
X, formerly known as Twitter, moves fast. More than 350,000 posts go up every minute, so if you’re searching for psychologists to follow on Twitter or X, cutting through that noise takes some digging. We’ve put together a list of 30 psychologists active on X, chosen for their credentials, published research, and the kind of posts that make following them worthwhile, whether that’s clinical insight, media commentary, or a window into their day-to-day work. Some are known for specific research, others run their own practices, and a few are frequently quoted in the media as go-to experts in their fields. Whatever corner of psychology interests you, this list is a solid place to start.
30. David Matsumoto
@davidmatsumoto – a modest but professionally respected following, especially among deception-detection and nonverbal-behavior specialists
David Matsumoto earned his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and has taught at San Francisco State University since 1989, where he directs the Culture and Emotion Research Laboratory. He worked directly with Paul Ekman early in his career, and the two later co-developed some of the first microexpression training tools used to teach law enforcement and other professionals to spot fleeting facial expressions. Matsumoto has published more than 400 articles and books on facial expression, nonverbal behavior, and cultural adaptation, and he founded Humintell, a company that trains professionals to read microexpressions and detect deception. Outside the lab, he holds an 8th-degree black belt in judo and coached the U.S. Olympic judo team. His X feed shares research findings and commentary on facial expression, emotion, and nonverbal behavior.
29. Ciarán O’Keeffe
@ciaranokeeffe – a solid following among fans of the paranormal and unexplained
Love ghosts and the paranormal? Then why not head over to the X account of British psychologist Ciarán O’Keeffe, who features plenty of both on his feed? His interests lie in what parapsychology actually involves, investigative psychology, and the social psychology of music. He now serves as Head of the School of Human and Social Sciences at Buckinghamshire New University in the U.K., although he is arguably better known for his appearances on TV and radio, including as the skeptical voice on BBC’s Uncanny. After double majoring in music and psychology in the U.S., O’Keeffe earned a master’s degree in investigative psychology at the University of Liverpool and then a doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire.
28. Robert Cialdini
@RobertCialdini – a steady following among readers interested in persuasion science
Robert Cialdini and his team can be found posting about fascinating news from the world of science and also discussing their own expert areas: persuasion and influence. Cialdini is currently Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing in Arizona State University’s psychology department. He gained his bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Wisconsin in 1967 and then three years later earned a Ph.D. in social psychology at the University of North Carolina. Cialdini has garnered numerous awards and distinctions in his professional life and has contributed to scores of scientific papers. What’s more, his 1984 book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, has gone on to sell in excess of two million copies. Cialdini founded the company Influence at Work, which offers training, workshops, and lectures to professionals to help them improve performance.
27. Mollie Marti
@DrMollieMarti – a loyal following
Mollie Marti’s route into psychology was a little unconventional. After earning a public relations bachelor’s degree and a law degree, she worked for a time in the legal sphere. However, she later went on to obtain a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in personality and social psychology from the University of Iowa. Marti launched her psychology career working with top sportspeople and then, after achieving great results, moved into business coaching and writing. One of her works is the inspirational Walking with Justice, which was published in 2012, and she now leads Worldmaker International and the National Resilience Institute, nonprofits she founded to build community resilience and support youth mental health. Marti’s posts include a fabulous mix of inspirational snippets and photos and are great reading for anyone who needs a hand getting their sparkle back.
26. Craig Malkin
@DrCraigMalkin – a growing following
Craig Malkin may look a little familiar, which is perhaps because he frequently appears in well-known publications and on TV to provide poignant psychological information and advice. He has a special interest in relationships and holds two decades’ worth of experience assisting families, couples and individuals. Dr. Malkin earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2000 and currently consults part-time at Harvard Medical School. One of his subjects of particular note is narcissism, and his 2013 article “Five Early Warning Signs You’re with a Narcissist” ended up going viral. Malkin published a book on the same topic in 2015, and his updates can be found on X, where he shares his thoughts on the minutiae of human behavior with his loyal followers.
25. Heidi Grant Halvorson
@hghalvorson – a wide following among motivation-science readers
Heidi Grant Halvorson achieved her social psychology doctoral degree from Columbia and is currently an associate director at the New York-based university’s business school. Her X feed is full of links to inspiring articles and news stories and includes a healthy dose of reposts from fellow scientists. Halvorson’s writing can be found in a number of influential publications, including Psychology Today, The Huffington Post, Fast Company, Forbes and the Harvard Business Review, plus she has also had her scientific papers published in acclaimed journals. She is particularly interested in motivation, which has led her to write four bestselling books on the topic. Anyone needing a kick in the butt should give them a try!
24. Sherry Turkle
@STurkle – a substantial following interested in technology and human behavior
Sherry Turkle’s area of interest is particularly relevant to our current era. She discusses people’s relationship to technology, and her X feed is crammed with attention-grabbing snapshots on the topic along with links to features discussing the phenomenon. The clinical psychologist obtained her Ph.D. in sociology and personality psychology from Harvard and is currently the Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology at MIT. In addition, she acts as director of the university’s Initiative of Technology and Self, which she founded in 2001. Turkle has written a number of books – such as Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other – and frequently appears in the media discussing claims that our fast-paced technological world may be leaving us lonelier and less able to really communicate with one another.
23. Amy Cuddy
@amyjccuddy – a large, engaged following
In 1998, Amy Cuddy received her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Colorado, graduating magna cum laude. She then went on to earn a social psychology M.A. from Princeton in 2003 before topping it off with a doctorate from the same institution two years later. Cuddy taught at Harvard Business School from 2008 to 2017 and researched how “people judge and influence each other and themselves,” and she continues to teach as a guest lecturer in Executive Education at Harvard and UCLA. Cuddy’s 2012 TED talk on body language and “power posing” has now been viewed more than 70 million times, making it one of the most-watched TED talks ever recorded. Her X feed includes engaging links and information related to behavior and body language, as well as cool photos and videos.
22. Daniel Levitin
@danlevitin – a strong following among music-and-psychology fans
Anyone interested in psychology and music should definitely check out Dr. Daniel Levitin’s posts. Levitin earned his psychology degree at Stanford before going on to achieve a master’s and a Ph.D. in the same subject at the University of Oregon. He is now James McGill Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Neuroscience and Music at McGill University, where he founded the Laboratory for Music Perception, Cognition and Expertise, and he also serves as Founding Dean of Arts & Humanities at Minerva University in San Francisco. He penned the book This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession, which investigated the neuroscience of music and spent over a year on The New York Times’ bestseller list, and has since published several more bestsellers. And if that weren’t nearly enough, he even has 14 gold and platinum records to his name thanks to his work in the music business.
21. Melissa McCreery
@MelissaMcCreery – a loyal following of readers interested in eating psychology
These days, many ambitious and high-achieving people find themselves turning to the cookie jar when feeling overwhelmed. Melissa McCreery investigates the psychology behind overeating and draws on her academic knowledge – she has a Ph.D. and an M.A. in clinical psychology from Michigan State University – to see how it can be prevented to enable people to live happier, healthier lives. McCreery set up the website toomuchonherplate.com, which provides women with a tailored program to help them have power over their relationship with food. Her X feed is an accessible selection of inspiring quotes, links, and updates to aid dieters on their journey. McCreery’s work has been included in Good Housekeeping, The Wall Street Journal and Working Mother.
20. David Ballard
@DrDavidBallard – a considerable following among workplace-wellness readers
David Ballard spent years leading the Center for Organizational Excellence and the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Program at the American Psychological Association, and now serves as Senior Fellow and Scientific Advisor for Workforce Mental Health at the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO), where he continues to focus on workplace well-being and productivity. His busy X feed includes links to noteworthy articles, mostly relating to this topic. Ballard achieved a health and medical services administration MBA at Widener University, and on top of this, gained a doctorate in clinical psychology from the same institution. Thanks to his expertise in the working environment, he has been interviewed for The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, The New York Times, and Forbes, and often lectures to audiences in North America.
19. Kelly McGonigal
@kellymcgonigal – a large following in the stress-and-wellness space
Health psychologist Kelly McGonigal is one of the leading lights in the emerging field of “science-help,” which aims to give people the opportunity to live happy, healthy and successful lives. McGonigal earned a psychology doctorate from Stanford on top of bachelor’s degrees in psychology and mass communication from Boston University. She currently lectures at Stanford and has won accolades for her undergraduate psychology classes there, including the prestigious Walter J. Gores Award. McGonigal’s work has been featured in a number of scientific journals and has also attracted widespread attention in the mainstream media, while her posts are an intriguing mix of information about psychology, happiness and yoga. Her 2013 TED talk on “how to make stress your friend” has now racked up more than 25 million views. If hers has you hooked, there are more TED talks worth watching if you’re into psychology.
18. Jeremy Dean
@PsyBlog – a substantial audience built through PsyBlog’s reach
Jeremy Dean established his PsyBlog website in 2004, and it has since gone on to attain more than one million hits a month. It has also been recognized by high-profile media outlets such as the BBC, the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, and The New York Times, among others. Dean decided to launch the site after becoming aware of the lack of intelligent and accessible news with a psychological slant. His X feed is largely used to provide links to his PsyBlog articles, which are highly eloquent and discuss current findings in psychology. Dean obtained his M.Sc. in research methods in psychology from University College London and is currently a doctoral student at the same institution.
17. Jo Hemmings
@TVpsychologist – a broad following built through her UK media work
Jo Hemmings is probably the U.K.’s most familiar celebrity psychologist. She provides professional psychological help in the production of reality television series and has acted as a behavioral expert talking about participants on British reality shows such as The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. Hemmings often appears in national newspapers and magazines, has recurring spots on daytime shows This Morning and Daybreak, and has penned six books about relationships and sex. The self-confessed X fan’s feed is a fun selection of psychological news, opinion and chat. She achieved her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Warwick and, despite her slew of media responsibilities, still runs a counseling practice in London.
16. Aleks Krotoski
@aleksk – a sizable following interested in technology and behavior
In 2009, Aleks Krotoski obtained her Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Surrey. Prior to her doctorate, she wrote about technology and gaming, and she has since combined these loves to become an eminent voice in discussing how technology and our behavior are linked. In 2010, Krotoski presented the award-winning BBC radio series Virtual Revolution, and the following year, she began hosting the celebrated science radio show The Digital Human, which she continues to host on BBC Radio 4. Her book Untangling the Web: What the Internet Is Doing to You was published in 2013. Meanwhile, Krotoski’s posts keep readers updated with news and links to her podcasts whilst also offering an insight into her day-to-day life. Interestingly, in 2006 she was hailed as one of tech website CNET’s top 10 girl geeks – just behind Lisa Simpson.
15. Anthony Risser
@neuropsychblog – a dedicated niche following in neuropsychology
Psychology blogger Anthony Risser can be found writing at his BrainBlog website, neuropsychological.blogspot.com. Here, he provides educational articles to his readers, many of whom are students. He also teaches clinical psychopharmacology and neuropsychological assessment as adjunct faculty at The Chicago School and Adler University. He is also pretty active on X and, in his words, uses the platform to “repost additional neuropsychology-related content that might not find its way into a blog posting.” Risser has many years’ experience in the field of clinical neuropsychology and achieved his Ph.D. in the subject from the University of Victoria in 2004. He has previously worked at the University of Texas, the University of Houston and the University of Pennsylvania and has co-written two textbooks – Assessment of Aphasia and Developmental Neuropsychology.
14. Marsha Lucas
@DrMarsha – a substantial following
Marsha Lucas achieved her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia before going on to gain a master’s degree from the State University of New York and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Emory University in Georgia. Lucas is particularly interested in mindfulness and continues to run her practice in Washington, D.C., now offering telepsychology across PSYPACT states, where she provides various forms of psychological counseling. In 2012, her book Rewire Your Brain for Love was published, encouraging people to improve their relationships through mindfulness. Her X feed offers occasional reflections on mindfulness and relationships for anyone willing to slow down and read them.
13. Miguel Angel Escotet
@DrEscotet – a following built over decades in academia
Miguel Angel Escotet has close to an amazing 50 years of being a university professor under his belt, and one of his particular interests is the psychology behind education. Currently, he is the College of Education dean at the University of Texas at Brownsville and is also the UNESCO and United Nations University Mobile Chair on History and Future for the university. Escotet holds a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska and a degree in clinical psychology from Colombia’s Javeriana University. He has dozens of publications to his name and uses his X account to talk about the latest developments in psychology and higher education while also keeping followers inspired with motivational quotes.
12. Melanie Greenberg
@DrMelanieG – a large, active following
Melanie Greenberg has a private clinic in California and is recognized worldwide for her work on subjects such as expressive writing, chronic pain, trauma, stress, and coping strategies. She completed her psychology bachelor’s degree in South Africa and then in 1992 earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at New York’s Stony Brook University. She has more than 50 academic pieces to her name and played a role in drawing up national protocols for the treatment of long-term pain. Greenberg is also prolific on X, posting frequently and consistently over the years. These are often links to her Psychology Today blog articles and updates on the latest research and scientific breakthroughs, so her feed is a great resource for those who are interested in clinical and health psychology.
11. Travis Langley
@Superherologist – a devoted following among pop-culture and psychology fans alike
Love superheroes? Love psychology? If the answer to either – or both – of these questions is yes, then pay a visit to Travis Langley’s X feed. Langley probably became more widely known after the 2012 release of his book, Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight. The work received excellent reviews and discussed possible psychological reasons as to why Bruce Wayne is so messed up. What’s more, although Langley’s field of study might be considered a little unorthodox, some serious academic props back it all up. He gained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arkansas’ Hendrix College before going on to achieve a master’s and a doctorate in experimental social psychology from Tulane University. At present, he is a distinguished professor of psychology at Henderson State University and is especially interested in the media and the behavior of fans, continuing to publish new titles in his Popular Culture Psychology series.
10. Dolors Reig
@dreig – a large Spanish-language following
Eminent social psychologist Dolors Reig edits the Spanish-language blog El Caparazón, which was set up in 2007. It was a finalist in the Spanish category at the BOBs awards in both 2008 and 2010, and has achieved recognition for being important in its field. Reig now also practices psychotherapy directly, offering sessions online and from Girona, alongside her ongoing writing, teaching and consulting work. She has appeared on Spanish radio and television numerous times, while her X feed affords interesting snapshots of media, news, and society as a whole. Reig holds a psychology degree as well as a pair of postgraduate degrees and continues to write regularly on psychology, technology, and self-development.
9. Leah Klungness
@Dr_Leah – a sizable following among parents
Leah Klungness’ areas of focus are families, relationships and parenting. She co-wrote a popular book called The Complete Single Mother, now in its third edition, and remains a regular parenting contributor to U.S. News & World Report. She posts about her field of interest and includes links to fascinating articles and blogs. Klungness’s skills have developed from firsthand experience, as she earned her Ph.D. and psychologist license while raising her children as a single mother. She has appeared in multiple print and online publications, including Good Housekeeping, Men’s Health, The Huffington Post, WebMD and CNN, and has been featured on national radio and TV outlets. Klungness also has a private practice on Long Island, NY, and specializes in consulting with families dealing with the effects of divorce.
8. Dan Ariely
@danariely – one of the larger followings among behavioral scientists
In his teenage years, Dan Ariely had a terrible accident that resulted in extensive burns to his body. It was this experience that inspired him to carry out research into better – and less painful – treatments for patients. Ariely received a psychology bachelor’s degree from Tel Aviv University in 1991 before going on to earn a master’s and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He taught at MIT for a decade but then moved to Duke University to become the James B. Duke Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics – a position he still holds today. Ariely has penned numerous scientific papers and three books, and his TED talks have been viewed millions of times. Worth knowing before you follow him: a widely cited 2012 study he co-authored on honesty pledges was retracted in 2021 after outside researchers found the underlying data had been fabricated. Ariely has said he didn’t knowingly use false data, but the case remains a notable point of debate in behavioral science circles.
7. Keely Kolmes
@drkkolmes – a strong following in clinical and digital-ethics circles
Keely Kolmes is an avid X user – which is perhaps not surprising, considering the fact that one of her key research areas investigates the clinical and ethical concerns surrounding the internet and psychotherapy. Kolmes owns a clinic in San Francisco where she treats clients for anxiety, sexual concerns, grief, gender issues, relationship problems, and more. In 2003, she obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology. Kolmes has a number of scientific articles to her name, while high-profile media outlets such as the BBC and The Washington Post have been known to quote her and feature her work. She is an advisory member of Without My Consent, a hub of information and debate on online privacy incursions, and is founder and president of Bay Area Open Minds.
6. Laura Compian Kauffman
@ChildPsych – a large following among parents and educators
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, Laura Compian Kauffman went on to obtain a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Stanford. Her expertise lies in child psychology, and she is well-versed in parenting and education-related issues as well. Her X feed is full of inspiring articles – mostly related to child psychology – and includes links to current studies. Kauffman has a private psychology practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. There, she treats mainly child and teen patients, although she also works more generally with families and consults parents. In the past, she has worked at Education.com as a senior program manager.
5. Steven Pinker
@sapinker – one of the biggest followings among academic psychologists
Notable psychologist Steven Pinker is well known for his work on evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind. He is currently the Johnstone Family Professor at Harvard University’s psychology department, and before that he worked at MIT. Pinker received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from McGill in 1976 before earning his doctorate in experimental psychology from Harvard three years later. He is the author of several highly lauded and bestselling books, some of which have won prizes, and has had numerous articles published in journals as well as in mainstream media outlets. The two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist was also included in Time magazine’s list of the world’s most influential thinkers in 2004. His posts are essential reading for anyone with an interest in cognitive psychology.
4. Jeffrey Guterman
@JeffreyGuterman – a substantial following
Florida-based mental health counselor Jeffrey Guterman has been practicing in the clinical world for nearly three decades and has also worked as an associate professor at Miami-Dade’s Barry University. His interests lie in the mental health and family therapy fields, and he has written more than 125 publications. He received his bachelor’s in psychology from Boston University and then earned master’s degrees in family therapy and counseling psychology from Nova University before obtaining a doctorate in family therapy from the same institution. Guterman’s book Mastering the Art of Solution-Focused Counseling was published in 2006 and outlines the support model he developed in the 1990s. In addition to his counseling work, he heads up workshops for students, professionals, and the general public. His X feed, meanwhile, is very busy and gives followers in-depth insight into his life.
3. Richard Wiseman
@RichardWiseman – one of the largest followings of any UK psychologist
Richard Wiseman’s journey into psychology is a little out of the ordinary. He started off his career as a magician but then took up a degree in psychology at University College London before earning a psychology doctorate at the University of Edinburgh. He has more X followers than any other British psychologist and has been described by one Scientific American writer as “the most interesting and innovative experimental psychologist in the world today.” He is currently Professor in the Public Understanding of Psychology at England’s University of Hertfordshire and has written half a dozen books discussing topics such as the paranormal, self-help, psychology and luck. Wiseman’s research has been included in more than 150 TV shows, and in 2001 he headed up the worldwide experiment to find the funniest joke on Earth. Needless to say, his posts make very fascinating and often amusing reading.
2. Andrew Mendonsa
@DrMendonsa916 – a massive following
Award-winning psychologist Andrew Mendonsa received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. He continues to practice in Sacramento, now licensed across more than a dozen states, with a growing focus on neurodivergent-affirming care for autistic teens and adults alongside his longtime work in clinical and forensic psychology. He has frequently been a guest on TV and radio shows, where he discusses psychological issues. “Dr. Mendonsa is one of a kind,” said one patient, adding, “I have never found someone so accepting, warm, inviting and willing to help you meet the challenges you have in your life.”
1. Phil McGraw
@DrPhil – the largest following of any psychologist on this list, by a wide margin
Phil McGraw first garnered recognition in the 1990s after appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show. He went on to host the syndicated Dr. Phil show for 21 seasons starting in 2002, using the platform to talk about social issues such as drugs, bullying, child abuse, depression, and domestic violence, before the show ended in 2023. McGraw received his bachelor’s in psychology from Midwestern State University before achieving an M.A. in experimental psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas. He held a psychology license in Texas early in his career, during which he developed treatment procedures for patients with long-term pain, but he voluntarily surrendered the license in 2006 and no longer practices clinically. Since Dr. Phil ended, McGraw has launched Merit Street Media and, more recently, Envoy Media Co., continuing to comment on social and mental health topics as a media personality rather than a practicing psychologist. His X feed offers a mix of commentary and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his current projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Twitter still called Twitter?
No. Twitter rebranded to X in 2023, though plenty of people, including several psychologists on this list, still call it Twitter out of habit. The core function hasn’t changed: short posts, replies, and a following-based feed.
Are all of these psychologists still active on X?
Most remain active, though posting frequency varies, and a few haven’t posted in a while. If recent activity matters to you, check the account before following, since profiles can go quiet for stretches.
Can I get therapy or clinical advice from a psychologist on X?
No. Following a psychologist on X is a way to read their commentary and research, not a substitute for treatment. If you’re dealing with a mental health concern, reach out to a licensed provider directly rather than posting on someone online.
How were these 30 psychologists chosen?
Selection was based on professional credentials, a track record of published research or clinical work, and a consistent presence on the platform that adds real insight rather than noise.
Key Takeaways
- Twitter is now X – the name changed in 2023, but the format (short posts, replies, real-time takes) is the same.
- Specialties vary widely – this list spans clinical, social, cognitive, and media psychology, so there’s a fit for almost any interest.
- Following isn’t treatment – it’s a good way to see a psychologist’s thinking in real time, not a substitute for professional care.
Curious about the field these psychologists work in? Find accredited psychology programs and see what it takes to study alongside them.