Psych by Shalom.

Psychology with soul.

Welcome to my sanctuary.

This space was created to serve as a dynamic portfolio of my academic journey and to help and support fellow students in their psych journey, no matter what path they are on.

Here I share research, programs, and reflections on my own psychology journey. There are also resources for other psych, pre-med, and social work students.

THE MIND

Psychology concepts and ideas explained clearly.

REAL STORIES

Reflections on growth, identity, and mental health.

RESOURCES

Programs and tools for students like you!

Featured Writing

Interracial Dating: Love Across Lines, Not Over Them

Interracial dating has become more visible, especially among young adults. It is often seen as a sign of progress. BUT the truth is.... Love does not exist outside of society (unfortunately). It moves within it. From a sociological lens, relationships are shaped by race, culture, and systems of inequality. Even when a relationship feels private, it reflects the world around it (Qian & Lichter, 2007). So this is not just about love. It is about understanding the forces that sh

psychbyshalom

Apr 264 min read

Mango's Origin Story (Tale of an Orange ESA )

March 5th 2025. That fateful day. The day I acquired my sweet orange kitty, Mango. Arguably one of the best days of my life. My friend Ashlee and I decided together to get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). Cats, specifically, to help support our mental health journeys and bring a new purpose to our lives. This was tricky because: We are college students living in an off-campus apartment (huge fees, including potential damages). It could be costly to get all the supplies (thi

psychbyshalom

Mar 282 min read

When Your Hard Work Gets Mislabelled as AI: A Halloween Horror Story

It was Halloween morning, but instead of costumes and candy, I faced a blank document and a dreadful deadline. At 8:00 AM, I sat down to write a hypothetical psychology case example due by 5:00 PM. Like many students, I had procrastinated. But unlike some, I felt confident. Between my coursework and my job as a behavioral technician, the material was familiar. I believed a few focused hours would be enough to produce a solid paper. The topic at hand was Autism Spectrum Disord

psychbyshalom

Mar 125 min read

Meet Shalom!

Shalom to you all.

My name means peace, and that idea sits at the heart of who I am and why I created this space.

My name is Shalom Handiseni, and I am an undergraduate psychology student at Washington State University. I built this space as a place to explore psychology, reflect on life, and share ideas about mental health, growth, and understanding ourselves a little better.

I came to the United States in 2007 from Zimbabwe and have lived in Texas and Washington. Growing up between cultures shaped how I see people and the different experiences that shape our mental health and social psychology.

I am the 3rd oldest of five siblings: Lee, Trish, Sharon, Maxwell Jr., and myself. My parents are Maxwell Snr and Aginella. Family has always grounded me and reminds me how important connection is in our lives.

Outside of psychology, I love going on long drives and listening to music. Those quiet moments often turn into the best time to think, reflect, and reset.

This space is my small corner of the internet where psychology meets real life. A place to learn, think deeply, and grow.

I am really glad you are here.