904-379-8094

D'Arienzo Psychology Blog

Study finds more adults are stressed about holidays this year than last year

Posted by: jackie

Highly regarded as a mental health expert, Dr. D’Arienzo is frequently featured in the media to provide insight into contemporary psychological challenges. Most recently, he appeared on Action News Jax to discuss a study finding that more adults are stressed about the holidays this year than last. Highlighting the specific lifestyle triggers that lead to […]

Read More

Jacksonville mother says students bully her daughter with drill rap songs about her son’s 2022 killing

Posted by: jackie

Clinical psychologist Dr. Justin D’Arienzo says repeated exposure to violence in music and social media is shaping how kids handle conflict — and each other. “We’ve been researching this for about 50 years, and we know that watching violent media does have a moderate effect, more significantly for younger kids,” D’Arienzo said. “It becomes more […]

Read More

Phubbing—The Relationship Threat Discussed on The Tamron Hall Show

Posted by: jackie

“Phubbing” (phone snubbing) is a new relationship threat, recently highlighted on The Tamron Hall Show, caused by habitual distractions like checking texts or scrolling feeds. The complexities of modern relationships, especially those challenged by technology, are a central focus for experts like Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a clinical and forensic psychologist who has become a leading […]

Read More

The Fascinating Science Behind Why People Are Afraid of Spiders

Posted by: jackie

Spiders are some of nature’s most misunderstood creatures. While they play a vital role in controlling disease-carrying insects and agricultural pests, many experience an intense fear of them—known as arachnophobia. Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, Forensic and Board Certified Clinical Psychologist, explains: Despite such instinctive fears, Dr. D’Arienzo highlights that most spiders are harmless, and that much […]

Read More

Clay County student, 14, creates fake text thread about bringing gun to school, tries to frame older brother

Posted by: jackie

A 14-year-old Clay County student, angry at his older brother, fabricated a fake text thread about bringing a gun to school, screenshotted it, and submitted it via the Fortify FL app in an attempt to frame his brother and disrupt school operations; the student has since been arrested on a felony charge for making a […]

Read More

Millions of People Fear Sharks, But Here’s Why They Shouldn’t

Posted by: jackie

A-Z Animals Encyclopedia recently featured Dr. Justin D’Arienzo’s expertise on galeophobia (shark phobia), highlighting his unique perspective as both a clinical psychologist and experienced diver with over 1,000 ocean dives. The article explores his research showing that women and teenagers are particularly susceptible to shark fears, which typically develop through media exposure rather than actual […]

Read More

Tragedy in Wisconsin sparks conversation about school safety

Posted by: jackie

Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a Jacksonville-based psychologist who works closely with children in school systems, shed light on the concerning normalization of these events. “Oh, it’s another school shooting. This is terrible, right?” Dr. D’Arienzo said, reflecting on society’s muted reaction to such tragedies. “We’re still not getting the message about seeing something, saying something.” Dr. […]

Read More

Florida legislators look to tackle state’s mental health crisis by expanding the role of psychologists

Posted by: jackie

Florida has been declared a health professional shortage area. Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a Jacksonville psychologist, recently discussed his advocacy for a bill that would allow psychologists with additional training to prescribe medications.  

Read More

Florida sports betting is expected to be big business again as the NFL season begins.

Posted by: jackie

With online sports betting booming in Florida, clinical psychologist Dr. Justin D’Arienzo warns against the lure of gambling. “I tell people…stay away. Don’t even start,” he says, pointing to the pervasive celebrity endorsements and ease of access. D’Arienzo cautions that, despite its legality, sports betting is likely to lead to addiction issues that society will […]

Read More

Many people are feeling fatigued after back-to-back hurricanes. A local psychologist explains the reason behind it

Posted by: jackie

Following recent storms, many Floridians are experiencing “disaster fatigue,” as repeated extreme weather takes a toll on mental health. Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a clinical psychologist, explains that ongoing storm threats can mimic PTSD symptoms: “We do have something called disaster fatigue when there have been repeated events,” he says. People may become hyper-vigilant, “obsessing about […]

Read More