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.

Woman sitting quietly by a window at dusk holding a warm mug, illustrating grief support after pregnancy loss
FeaturedGrief & Loss

Pregnancy Loss Grief: Why It Hurts and What Helps

The loss no one sends flowers for is still a loss — and there is real support for it

Pregnancy loss grief is common, real, and often unwitnessed. Learn what miscarriage and stillbirth grief look like, why it lingers, and what evidence-based support exists in Georgia.

CHC Counseling TeamAug 19, 2026

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Woman at a kitchen table at night reviewing bills on a laptop, illustrating money anxiety and financial stressAnxiety & Stress

Money Anxiety vs. Financial Stress: Why Budgeting Doesn't Fix It

Money anxiety and financial stress are not the same thing. Learn the signs, why budgeting alone doesn't resolve financial dread, and what evidence-based therapy actually addresses.

Aug 19, 20268 min read
Couple sitting together on a couch at home, one listening attentively to the other, illustrating adult attachment patterns in relationshipsRelationships

Adult Attachment Insecurity: Signs, Causes, and Therapy

Adult attachment insecurity shapes closeness, conflict, and trust. Learn anxious and avoidant signs, why insight alone doesn't shift them, and which therapies have evidence behind them.

Aug 19, 20268 min read
A middle-aged mixed-race couple sits close together on a couch in a warmly lit living room in the evening, soft lamplight, tender and bittersweet expressions — editorial documentary photo about empty nest syndrome and a marriage after the children leaveGrief & Loss

Empty Nest Syndrome: The Grief Nobody Names

Empty nest syndrome is real grief, not a punchline. Learn why it arrives in waves, what it surfaces in a marriage, and the approaches that genuinely help.

Aug 13, 202610 min read
A Black man in his sixties stands in his backyard garden in warm mid-afternoon light, hands at his sides, expression thoughtful and uncertain — editorial documentary photo about retirement depression and losing the structure of working lifeDepression

Retirement Depression: When the Finish Line Feels Empty

Retirement depression is real and often missed. Learn why the transition can feel like grief, the signs clinicians watch for, and what actually helps you rebuild.

Aug 13, 202610 min read
An older mixed-race man sits alone at a sunlit kitchen table with a mug of tea, morning light coming through the window, quiet and contemplative — editorial documentary photo about adult loneliness and social disconnectionRelationships

Adult Loneliness: Why "Get Out More" Doesn't Work

Adult loneliness carries real cardiovascular risk, and "get out more" often backfires. Learn what the research shows, why withdrawal self-perpetuates, and what helps.

Aug 13, 202610 min read
An older Black man sits on his living room sofa in warm evening lamp light during a telehealth session on a laptop, calm and attentive — editorial documentary photo about recovery after an ICU stayTrauma & PTSD

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: Life After the ICU

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome explained — the cognitive, emotional, and physical effects ICU survivors face, and the trauma treatments that help. Georgia teletherapy.

Aug 10, 20269 min read
A mixed-race paramedic in uniform sits quietly on the back step of an ambulance at dusk, hands folded, looking down in thought — editorial documentary photo about moral injury in emergency servicesTrauma & PTSD

Moral Injury vs. PTSD: Signs, Overlap, and Treatment

Moral injury explained — how it differs from PTSD, the signs standard screening misses, and treatments built for guilt-based trauma. Georgia teletherapy.

Aug 10, 20269 min read
A tired Black woman in her mid-thirties sits at a sunlit kitchen table with a coffee mug, looking past her laptop with a drained expression — editorial documentary photo about occupational burnoutWorkplace

Occupational Burnout: Why Rest Alone Doesn't Fix It

Occupational burnout explained — the WHO's three signs, why a vacation doesn't fix it, and which evidence-based therapies actually help. Georgia teletherapy.

Aug 10, 20269 min read
A couple in their thirties sit close together on wooden porch steps at dusk, shoulders touching, looking out at the yard in quiet conversation — editorial documentary photo about infertility grief and supportGrief & Loss

Infertility Grief: Why It Resets Every Month

Infertility grief is cyclical, not linear, which is why it doesn't ease on schedule. Learn the signs, why partners cope differently, and what support genuinely helps.

Aug 7, 20269 min read
A man in his fifties sits on the edge of a bed in early morning light, one hand resting on his lower back, tired and thoughtful — editorial documentary photo about chronic pain and depressionDepression

Chronic Pain and Depression: How the Loop Works

Chronic pain and depression feed each other through sleep, activity, and isolation. Learn the signs, the evidence-based therapies that help, and what to try this week.

Aug 7, 20269 min read
A Black woman in her thirties sits alone on a sofa by a window in soft afternoon light, hands folded, quiet reflective expression — editorial documentary photo about betrayal trauma and rebuilding self-trustTrauma & PTSD

Betrayal Trauma: Signs, Symptoms, and Recovery

Betrayal trauma explained: the signs that set it apart from heartbreak, why self-doubt and shame come first, and how trauma-focused therapy rebuilds self-trust.

Aug 7, 20269 min read
A Black man in his thirties sits on the edge of a sofa in a dim living room at dusk, looking across the room at an untouched guitar with a flat, neutral expression — editorial documentary photo about anhedonia and loss of interest in things once enjoyedDepression

Anhedonia: When Nothing Feels Good Anymore

Anhedonia is the loss of pleasure or interest in things you used to enjoy. Learn the two types, why it is often missed at intake, and what treatment approaches help.

Aug 3, 20267 min read
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 settingsAnxiety & Stress

Misophonia: Symptoms, Triggers & Treatment Options

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

Aug 3, 20267 min read
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 exhaustionSelf-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 stressTrauma & 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
A woman in her forties at a kitchen table in morning light, reflecting the everyday reality of perimenopausal depression and mood changesDepression

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 therapyTrauma & 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 aboutAnxiety & 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 catatoniaDepression

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 depressionAnxiety & 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 adultsWorkplace

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 terrorsAnxiety & 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 supportSelf-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 disorderTrauma & 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 photoSelf-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 prescriberAnxiety & 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 photoSelf-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 trustTrauma & 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 disorderDepression

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 supportTherapy 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 photoSelf-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 disorderSelf-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 disorderTrauma & 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 disorderTherapy 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 griefGrief & 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
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