Mental health, plainly explained

The CHC Journal

Evidence-based articles, practical tools, and unhurried guidance from licensed therapists in Alpharetta — with companion podcast and video for every piece.

A young Asian man in his twenties sits at a shared dinner table with family, subtly tense and withdrawn while others eat around him — editorial documentary photo about misophonia and sound sensitivity in everyday settings

FeaturedAnxiety & Stress

Misophonia: Symptoms, Triggers & Treatment Options

Why certain everyday sounds provoke real distress — and what helps

Misophonia symptoms, common triggers, and treatment options explained. Learn why chewing and tapping sounds cause genuine distress and when to seek clinical support.

CHC Counseling TeamAug 3, 20267 min read

Latest

From the Journal

A Latina woman in her forties sits alone at a sunlit kitchen table early in the morning, both hands wrapped around a coffee mug, looking tired and thoughtful — editorial documentary photo about caregiver burnout and emotional exhaustion

Self-Improvement

Caregiver Burnout: Signs, Causes & How to Recover

Caregiver burnout signs, causes, and recovery options explained. Learn how compassion fatigue differs from depression and when to reach out for support in Georgia.

Aug 3, 20268 min read

A man resting at home during an evening telehealth session, representing recovery from racial trauma and race-based traumatic stress

Trauma & PTSD

Racial Trauma: Signs, Symptoms, and Support

Racial trauma is the cumulative toll of discrimination. Learn the symptoms of race-based traumatic stress and how culturally competent therapy can help.

Jul 26, 20269 min read

Depression

Perimenopausal Depression: Signs and Treatment

Perimenopausal depression is real, common, and treatable. Learn the symptoms, who is most at risk, and the therapy and medical options that actually help.

Jul 26, 20269 min read

A woman sitting quietly by a sunlit window during a telehealth session, reflecting the steady pacing of complex PTSD trauma therapy

Trauma & PTSD

Complex PTSD: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Complex PTSD develops from prolonged, repeated trauma. Learn the symptoms that separate C-PTSD from PTSD, and the evidence-based treatments that help.

Jul 26, 20269 min read

A new mother in her early 30s sits by a sunlit nursery window holding her sleeping newborn, her expression tender but tired and quietly worried — editorial documentary photo about perinatal OCD and the intrusive thoughts new parents rarely talk about

Anxiety & Stress

Perinatal OCD: Intrusive Thoughts Are Not Desires

Perinatal OCD causes unwanted, intrusive thoughts in pregnancy and postpartum, often about harming the baby. Learn why they aren't desires and how ERP helps.

Jul 15, 202611 min read

A young Black woman sits close beside her older mother on a sunlit living-room couch, gently holding her hand and speaking softly — editorial documentary photo about family support and recovery from catatonia

Depression

Catatonia: Signs, Causes, and Why It's Treatable

Catatonia is a treatable syndrome of disrupted movement and responsiveness — not being frozen forever. Learn the signs, causes, and when to seek help.

Jul 15, 20269 min read

A Black woman in her 30s sits by a sunlit window at home with a warm mug, looking thoughtful and a little tired but hopeful, in a moment of quiet self-reflection — editorial documentary photo about living with co-occurring anxiety and depression

Anxiety & Stress

Co-Occurring Anxiety and Depression: Why Both Matter

Co-occurring anxiety and depression often show up together. Learn why treating one leaves you stuck, which approaches help, and how to start feeling better.

Jul 15, 202610 min read

A Black man in his 40s sits at a kitchen table in the early morning, staring at an open laptop with a spreadsheet, one hand rubbing his temple in quiet exhaustion — editorial documentary photo about undiagnosed specific learning disorder in adults

Workplace

Specific Learning Disorder in Adults: You Were Never Lazy

Specific learning disorder in adults often hides behind years of self-blame. Learn the real signs, why it's brain-based, and how therapy helps.

Jul 4, 202610 min read

A Black mother in her 30s sits on the edge of the bed where her young son sleeps, in the soft blue light of early morning, watching over him with a gentle, alert expression, a small nightlight glowing nearby, editorial documentary photo about sleepwalking and night terrors

Anxiety & Stress

Sleepwalking and Night Terrors: The Science Explained

Sleepwalking and night terrors happen in deep, dreamless sleep, not a dream. Learn the science, adult triggers, and evidence-based therapy that helps.

Jul 4, 202610 min read

A Black woman in her 30s sits alone at a sunlit kitchen table, hands wrapped around a coffee mug, gazing out the window with a thoughtful, searching expression — editorial documentary photo about recognizing hallucinogen use disorder and seeking evidence-based support

Self-Improvement

Hallucinogen Use Disorder: More Than Just Experimenting

Hallucinogen use disorder is a real DSM-5 diagnosis, not "just experimenting." Learn the signs, evidence-based treatment, and Georgia telehealth options.

Jul 4, 20269 min read

A worried White woman in her 40s talks with a compassionate Black therapist during a warm telehealth session at a sunlit kitchen table, the therapist listening with a gentle, reassuring expression — editorial documentary photo about compassionate care for factitious disorder

Trauma & PTSD

Factitious Disorder: Why It Is Not Just Faking It

Factitious disorder is not faking for attention. Learn what it really is, how it differs from malingering, and how trauma-informed therapy in Georgia can help.

Jun 19, 20268 min read

A content Black man in his 30s reads alone by a sunlit window with a calm, self-possessed expression, soft morning light, a peaceful moment of chosen solitude that illustrates the difference between schizoid personality disorder and healthy introversion, editorial documentary photo

Self-Improvement

Schizoid Personality Disorder: Signs vs. Introversion

Schizoid personality disorder explained: how it differs from introversion, social anxiety, and autism, the real signs, and respectful therapy in Georgia.

Jun 19, 202610 min read

A woman in her 40s sits at a sunlit kitchen table early in the morning with a cup of tea and an open notebook, looking thoughtful and calm, reflecting on benzodiazepine dependence and the decision to talk with her prescriber

Anxiety & Stress

Benzodiazepine Dependence: Signs and the Safe Way Off

Benzodiazepine dependence can develop even when taken as prescribed. Learn the signs, why abrupt withdrawal is dangerous, and how a supervised taper helps.

Jun 15, 20268 min read

A pensive young adult sits alone by a window at dusk, the warm glow of a single candle on the sill reflected in their thoughtful face, conveying the private tension and quiet shame many people carry with pyromania, an impulse-control disorder — editorial documentary photo

Self-Improvement

Pyromania: The Impulse-Control Disorder, Not Arson

Pyromania is a rare impulse-control disorder, not the same as arson. Learn the signs, why the urge differs from criminal intent, and how CBT can help.

Jun 15, 20268 min read

Two adults — an older Black man and a younger white woman, both casually dressed — sit a comfortable distance apart on a sunlit living-room sofa, one beginning to lean in slightly as trust is tentatively offered — editorial documentary photo about paranoid personality disorder and rebuilding trust

Trauma & PTSD

Paranoid Personality Disorder: Signs and How Therapy Helps

Paranoid personality disorder is a long-standing pattern of distrust. Learn the signs, why it develops, and how trust-building therapy in Georgia gently helps.

Jun 15, 20268 min read

A Black woman in her 40s and her adult son sit close together on a living-room couch in warm afternoon light, talking quietly and listening to each other, conveying steady family support for someone living with schizoaffective disorder

Depression

Schizoaffective Disorder: The Two-Week Lag Explained

Schizoaffective disorder explained: how the two-week lag sets it apart from schizophrenia and bipolar or depression with psychosis, plus the path to stability.

Jun 8, 20269 min read

A young adult and a parent sit close together on a living-room couch in warm afternoon light, the parent listening with an accepting, open expression — editorial documentary photo about family acceptance and gender-affirming support

Therapy Basics

Gender Dysphoria: What Affirming Care Really Means

Gender dysphoria explained — what affirming care actually is, how it eases distress, and how to find LGBTQ-affirming therapy across Georgia.

Jun 8, 20266 min read

A young mixed-race woman in her late 20s sits at a sunlit kitchen table with a warm mug and a notebook, thoughtful and steady, taking a quiet first step toward stimulant use recovery, editorial documentary photo

Self-Improvement

Stimulant Use Disorder: Signs, Treatment & Recovery

Stimulant use disorder explained: warning signs, why willpower isn't the issue, and the evidence-based therapy that drives real recovery across Georgia.

Jun 8, 20268 min read

A middle-aged Black woman sits at her sunlit kitchen table with a warm mug, a calm and determined expression on her face as she talks through a teletherapy session on her laptop — editorial documentary photo about quitting smoking and tobacco use disorder

Self-Improvement

Tobacco Use Disorder: Why Quitting Is Medical, Not Willpower

Tobacco use disorder is a medical condition, not a willpower failure. Learn the signs, why quitting is hard, and how therapy plus medication help you quit.

Jun 5, 202610 min read

A woman in her 30s sits in a cozy sunlit living room talking with a therapist on a tablet, her expression visibly relieved and validated, in a documentary editorial photo about being believed while living with functional neurological disorder

Trauma & PTSD

Functional Neurological Disorder: Your Symptoms Are Real

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is real and not faked. Learn the signs, why a normal scan is part of the diagnosis, and how evidence-based care can help.

Jun 5, 20269 min read

A man in his 30s sits at a sunlit kitchen table during a focused video therapy session on a laptop, leaning in with a serious, engaged expression — editorial documentary photo about getting honest help for antisocial personality disorder

Therapy Basics

Antisocial Personality Disorder: An Honest Guide

Antisocial personality disorder explained honestly: the real signs of ASPD, the conduct-disorder-before-15 rule, why it overlaps with addiction, and what helps.

Jun 5, 20269 min read

An adult daughter sits close to her aging mother on a living-room couch in warm evening lamp light, gently holding her hand with a tender, supportive expression — editorial documentary photo about dementia caregiver support and family grief

Grief & Loss

Dementia Caregiver Support: Grief, Burnout & Help

Dementia caregiver support matters. See how therapy helps with anticipatory grief, caregiver burnout, anxiety, and depression — and find steadier footing.

Jun 2, 20269 min read

A mixed-race woman in her late 20s rests her head on her hand at a sunlit kitchen table mid-morning, looking weary but gently hopeful while holding a mug of coffee — editorial documentary photo about living with narcolepsy and the emotional toll of constant sleepiness

Self-Improvement

Living With Narcolepsy: The Emotional Side and How Therapy Helps

Living with narcolepsy means more than tiredness. Learn how this neurological condition affects mood and identity, and how therapy supports coping in Georgia.

Jun 2, 20269 min read

A young Black man sits alone by a sunlit apartment window with a coffee mug, a thoughtful, reserved expression on his face in soft morning light — editorial documentary photo about avoidant personality disorder and the quiet longing for connection

Self-Improvement

Avoidant Personality Disorder: More Than Just Shyness

Avoidant personality disorder is more than shyness. Learn the signs, how it differs from social anxiety, and the evidence-based therapy that helps in Georgia.

Jun 2, 202610 min read

A young Asian woman in her 20s stands by a rain-streaked window in a warm living room, one hand resting on the glass with a distant, faraway expression as soft daylight blurs the street behind her — editorial documentary photo about depersonalization-derealization disorder and feeling detached from reality

Trauma & PTSD

Depersonalization-Derealization: When Reality Feels Unreal

Depersonalization-derealization disorder makes you feel detached or the world unreal. Learn the signs, why it happens, and how trauma-informed therapy helps.

May 30, 202611 min read

A woman in her 30s sits at a cluttered home desk late in the evening, meticulously re-aligning stacks of papers while her partner waits in the doorway behind her — editorial documentary photo illustrating OCPD vs OCD and how perfectionism and control strain relationships

Self-Improvement

OCPD vs OCD: The Difference and Why It Matters

OCPD vs OCD: OCD brings unwanted intrusive thoughts; OCPD is a lifelong pattern of perfectionism and control. Learn the difference and how therapy helps.

May 30, 202610 min read

A woman in her late 20s sits at a kitchen table at dusk, resting her chin on her hand with a quiet, weighed-down expression beside a half-finished plate — editorial documentary photo about the hidden emotional weight of bulimia nervosa

Self-Improvement

Bulimia Nervosa: The Eating Disorder That Hides

Bulimia nervosa often hides at a "normal" weight. Learn the binge-purge cycle, the warning signs, and the evidence-based therapy that supports recovery.

May 30, 202610 min read

A Black woman in her 30s sits at a sunlit kitchen table with a notebook and coffee, pausing thoughtfully while tracking her mood — editorial documentary photo about living with cyclothymic disorder and mood swings

Depression

Cyclothymic Disorder: Bipolar's Quieter Cousin

Cyclothymic disorder brings years of mild highs and lows that never reach full bipolar. Learn the signs, treatment, and how Georgia teletherapy helps.

May 29, 202610 min read

A middle-aged Asian woman sits at a sunlit kitchen table holding a warm mug, one hand resting gently on her stomach, a calm and relieved expression on her face — editorial documentary photo about living with somatic symptom disorder and being believed

Anxiety & Stress

Somatic Symptom Disorder: When Pain Is Real but Tests Are Normal

Somatic symptom disorder means real physical symptoms paired with intense worry, even when tests look normal. Learn the signs, causes, and how therapy helps.

May 29, 202611 min read

A young Black woman sits alone by a sunlit window with a warm mug, looking thoughtful and calm in a cozy living room — editorial documentary photo about understanding dissociative identity disorder and healing from childhood trauma

Trauma & PTSD

Dissociative Identity Disorder: What It Really Is

Dissociative identity disorder is a trauma-based condition, not the danger movies portray. Learn the real signs of DID, why it develops, and how therapy helps.

May 29, 202610 min read

An older woman and her adult daughter sit close together in a tidy, sunlit room having a gentle, patient conversation, both at ease — editorial documentary photo about compassionately supporting a loved one with hoarding disorder

Anxiety & Stress

Hoarding Disorder: It's Not About Being Messy

Hoarding disorder is a recognized mental health condition, not laziness or clutter. Learn the real signs, why forced clean-outs backfire, and how CBT helps in Georgia.

May 28, 20268 min read

A young mixed-race adult sits beside a parent on a living-room couch in warm afternoon light, mid-conversation and supported, both calm — editorial documentary photo about understanding and supporting a loved one with schizophrenia

Therapy Basics

Schizophrenia: Signs, Myths & How Treatment Works

Schizophrenia is a treatable brain-based condition, not a split personality. Learn the real signs, the myths to drop, and why early coordinated care in Georgia matters most.

May 28, 20269 min read

A Black man in his 40s sits at a sunlit kitchen table with a mug of coffee and a notebook, thoughtful and resolved, in an honest morning moment of self-reflection — editorial documentary photo about alcohol use disorder and recovery

Self-Improvement

Alcohol Use Disorder: Signs, Criteria & Treatment

Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition, not a willpower problem. Learn the DSM-5 signs, why it co-occurs with anxiety and depression, and how treatment works in Georgia.

May 28, 20269 min read

A South Asian woman in her 30s sits in a bright living room on a video call with her therapist, a laptop open on the coffee table, her expression calm and focused — editorial documentary photo about specific phobia treatment through telehealth therapy in Georgia

Anxiety & Stress

Specific Phobias: How Graded Exposure Therapy Works

Specific phobia treatment through graded exposure therapy can resolve intense, life-limiting fears in weeks. Learn how it works and how CHC therapists help Georgians reclaim their lives.

May 27, 202611 min read

A Black woman in her late 30s sits at a sunlit kitchen table with a cup of coffee, gazing out the window with a quiet, distant expression — editorial documentary photo about persistent depressive disorder and the low-grade depression many people mistake for their personality

Depression

Persistent Depressive Disorder: When Low Mood Becomes Your Normal

Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is chronic low-grade depression lasting 2+ years. Learn the signs, how it differs from MDD, and effective treatment options in Georgia.

May 27, 202611 min read

Listen anywhere