Upward Alabama

My Chronic Pain is Real! Why Would I Need a Therapist?

By Beverly Thorn, Ph.D.

Posted: November 15, 2024

If you have chronic pain, have you ever felt like others didn’t think that your pain was real, or was “all in your head?” You’re not alone! Because chronic pain is mostly invisible to others, you may feel that family or friends think you are exaggerating the pain or making it up. When people have chronic pain, they don’t typically think of psychological therapy as a treatment option. They may think that therapists only treat people with “mental disorders,” or “psychological pain” - not real pain. Nothing could be further from the truth! Therapists have become a crucial part of a multi-disciplinary team approach that may include medical interventions, psychological pain management therapy, and physical therapy.

Nightmare on Main Street, Alabama

By Courtney Worley, Ph.D.

Nightmare, Sleep

Posted: October 28, 2024

Dreams are a natural part of sleep. They are a product of the visual and emotional parts of our brains actively working to process experiences. They offer a way to work through thoughts and feelings, and they allow us to problem-solve in creative ways as the rules of reality are often suspended. Some of the images we experience can be disturbing, distressing and cause fearful awakenings, leading to the all-too-familiar experience of a nightmare. A nightmare does not always indicate something is wrong, but it can indicate the need to pay more attention to what’s happening. Let’s explore why you might want to pay attention to or seek help with your nightmares.

What is ADHD?

By Michaela Higgins, Upward Intern

Autism & ADHD Evaluation

Posted: October 4, 2024

Oftentimes, Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is seen as a mental disorder that just causes a person to become hyperactive and unable to focus. While those characteristics may be true of many cases, they are not the only factors of ADHD.

The Ins and Outs of Group Therapy

By Misti Norton, Ph.D.

Group therapy, Psychotherapy, Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia

Posted: September 20, 2024

Some Alabama residents may see the words "group therapy" and feel excited, while others may see "group therapy" and think “Absolutely never!” In this blog post, I hope to explain some of the benefits of group therapy, as well as some circumstances where group therapy might not be for you. Additionally, I hope to help potential clients understand what to expect from groups at Upward Behavioral Health.