Our Blog: Upward Alabama

Postpartum Mental Health

By Katherine Cofer, Ph.D.

Postpartum

Anxiety Depression Postpartum Health Treatment

Posted: May 15, 2026

The postpartum period can be a time of joy, excitement, and wonder, right alongside frustration, isolation, and exhaustion. While there are mental health challenges that can arise during the prepartum period, the changes experienced after that little bundle of joy arrives can be dramatic in terms of physical differences, routine changes, role adjustments, financial stress, and many other elements. These combine to create a space that leaves many women vulnerable to new or worsening mental health symptoms.

Why Sleep During Pregnancy Matters More Than You Think (And What You Can Actually Do About It)

By Courtney Worley, Ph.D., ABPP, DBSM, M.P.H.

Sleep

Insomnia Treatment CBT-I Pregnancy Perinatal Health Postpartum Health

Posted: May 12, 2026

You are growing a human. You are exhausted. And yet — somehow — you cannot sleep. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Sleep disturbances affect 75% of pregnant people, peaking in the third trimester. Despite being incredibly common, poor sleep during pregnancy is often brushed off as “just part of it.” But the science tells a different story: sleep health during pregnancy is a serious maternal health issue — one that is treatable, and worth taking seriously.

Making Your Diagnosis Work for You: Navigating Workplace Accommodations

By Virginia Rediker, MSW, MPH, LICSW-S

Workplace Accommodations Reasonable Accommodation Evaluations

Workplace Stress

Posted: May 5, 2026

The modern workplace is a dynamic environment where the intersection of occupational functioning and mental health is increasingly recognized as critical to both individual well-being and organizational success. Employees living with mental health diagnoses often face unique challenges, but with appropriate support, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth, resilience, and high performance. Understanding one’s mental health diagnosis can empower employees to advocate for effective workplace accommodations, fostering both personal and professional development.

AI and Mental Health Support: Navigating Promise and Pitfalls in the Age of Digital Care

By Susan Rathmell, Ph.D., ABPP

AI Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Telehealth, Virtual, Psychotherapy

Treatment

Posted: May 4, 2026

Imagine this: A college student named Maya is struggling with anxiety before finals. It’s 2 a.m., and her therapist’s office is closed. She opens her phone and starts chatting with an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered app that walks her through a breathing exercise and offers words of encouragement. Across town, her psychologist, Dr. Lee, uses AI to transcribe session notes and flag potential risk factors in client language, freeing up time to focus on the therapeutic relationship. These snapshots capture the dual reality of AI in mental health—its capacity to support both clients and clinicians, and the questions it raises about safety, effectiveness, and clinical judgment.