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No family is perfect. Even in the most loving households, disagreements are bound to happen. Whether it’s a clash of opinions, misunderstandings, …

When most people think of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), they picture someone repeatedly washing their hands, checking locks, or organizing things in a …

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). If someone in your …

Obsessive thinking can feel like your mind is stuck in a loop. Whether it’s worrying about the future, rehashing past mistakes, or …

Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something deeply important to you. It often brings emotions like sadness, anger, and …

Healing After Saying Goodbye Losing a pet is one of the most heartbreaking experiences we can go through. For many people, pets …

Grief is a natural response to loss, but what happens when your loss isn’t recognized or validated by those around you? This …

Grief is a deeply emotional experience that affects every part of a person’s life — emotionally, mentally, and even physically. One of …

A Guide for Families Seeking Support When families face challenges—whether it’s conflict, communication breakdowns, or life transitions—it can affect everyone in the …

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns, affecting millions of people across all age groups. But if you’ve ever …

Experiencing trauma can leave a lasting impact on a person’s mental, emotional, and even physical health. Whether it’s the result of abuse, …

Life is full of ups and downs. From small everyday stressors to major life changes, we all face situations that test our …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Many people …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people, including veterans, trauma survivors, and individuals who …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that affects many veterans due to their military service experiences. When seeking …

Is PTSD a Disability?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can impact daily life, work, and relationships. Many people wonder, is …

Can Trauma Cause OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide, characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive …

What Is “Pure O” OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is commonly associated with visible compulsions, such as excessive handwashing or checking behaviors. However, there is a less recognized …

Do I Need Therapy for OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) …

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be a debilitating condition, causing individuals to experience persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions) …

Grief and loss are deeply personal experiences that can affect every aspect of a person’s life. While everyone processes loss differently, prolonged …

Grief is a deeply personal and unique experience that varies significantly from person to person. For many, the question “How long does …

Grieving the loss of a loved one or a significant life change can be one of the most challenging experiences in life. …

Whether the loss stems from the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another significant life change, the …

Families are complex systems made up of individuals with unique emotions, perspectives, and experiences. While this diversity is a strength, it can …

Do We Need Family Therapy?

If you’re asking yourself this question, it may be time to consider family therapy. Some common signs that indicate a need for …

How Can Family Therapy Help?

Family life is complex, filled with joy, challenges, and everything in between. When difficulties arise—whether it’s due to miscommunication, conflict, or external …

Family therapy is a collaborative approach to improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships within a family unit. It involves techniques designed …

High-functioning depression, often referred to as persistent depressive disorder (PDD) or dysthymia, is a form of depression that can be harder to …

Opening up about depression can feel daunting, but talking to your doctor is a crucial step toward getting the support and treatment …

Am I Lazy or Depressed?

Feeling unmotivated or stuck can be frustrating and confusing, especially when it’s hard to tell whether it’s just laziness or something deeper, …

Depression is often associated with sadness, lack of motivation, and feelings of hopelessness. However, one lesser-known yet impactful symptom is its effect …

Having a friend who is struggling with depression can be challenging – it may even be difficult to be around them at …

Can PTSD Be Cured? 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide after they experience traumatic events. Naturally, many individuals suffering …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. While …

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious and often overwhelming condition that affects many women after childbirth. As a partner, it can be …

How Do I Know If I Have PTSD?

It’s natural to feel shaken after a distressing experience, but how do you know if you’re dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? …

If you notice that a friend is struggling with postpartum depression, offering your support can make a big difference. Here are ways …

For many, postpartum depression is often associated with the emotional challenges following childbirth. However, the loss of a pregnancy through miscarriage or …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a well-known condition that can develop after someone experiences a traumatic event. However, there is a lesser-known …

Experiencing a panic attack can be incredibly overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. The sudden onset of intense fear, racing heart, shortness of …

Coping with postpartum depression following a miscarriage requires understanding that your feelings are valid and that healing takes time.  Here are some …

Online therapy, also known as teletherapy, is often covered by insurance, but coverage can vary depending on several factors. Here’s what you …

Is Online Therapy Effective?

Online therapy is very effective! Many studies and personal experiences confirm that online therapy, also known as teletherapy or virtual therapy, can …

Benefits of Online Therapy

Online therapy, also known as teletherapy, has grown in popularity due to its convenience and accessibility. Here are some key benefits: Convenience …

Does Teletherapy Work?

Yes, teletherapy does work! Research and countless personal experiences show that teletherapy, also known as online therapy, can be just as effective …

teens covered in paint with hands outstretched towards camera

Adolescence is a period filled with challenges and transitions, making it a crucial time to provide the right support for mental health …

teen in hoodie with face resting in hands

Anger is a natural emotion, but when it becomes overwhelming and difficult to control, it can lead to serious problems, especially for …

group of women laughing

Family dynamics can be super complex. Sometimes, challenges arise that affect the entire household, creating tension, miscommunication, and unresolved conflicts. That’s where …

teen girl reading textbook

Getting through your teen years can be tough. Between school stress, social pressures, and the many emotions that come with growing up, …

two hands reaching out to each other

Experiencing a traumatic event can be life-altering. Whether it’s due to the sudden loss of a loved one, an accident, a natural …

hand in a bowl of marbles

Play is a natural and essential part of childhood. It’s how children explore the world, express their feelings, and develop social skills. …

kid with headache

Childhood should be a time of joy, exploration, and growth. However, for many children, anxiety can overshadow these experiences, making daily life …

parent comforting child

As parents, we want the best for our children, including their mental and emotional well-being. However, it can be challenging to determine …

a therapist showing a drawing to two parents and a child

When your child is in therapy, it’s natural to want to be involved and supportive. However, knowing how to communicate effectively with …

man sitting on couch with head resting in hand

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide. Anxiety is a natural response to stress …

a small child playing in a sandbox

Imagine a world where toys and games become the language of healing. That’s exactly what play therapy is for kids. Play therapy …

a group of six teens walking to school

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a type of therapy that helps kids understand how their thoughts and feelings affect their actions. …

angry man yelling with arms over ears

Unchecked anger can negatively affect your quality of life as well as your relationship to others. The pain associated with anger that …

a man in virtual meeting looking at a laptop

Online Therapy

Often, the first thing that comes to mind when people think about online therapy are very large national websites that house therapists …

square tiles spelling the word anxiety

One of the advantages of Birmingham Anxiety & Trauma Therapy is the number of therapists available to choose from. We have 19 …

One of the most comforting things to me is the realization that humans tend to function like thermostats, not thermometers. We have …

Parenting is a lifetime commitment and can sometimes be overwhelming. Under times of stress, it’s important to make sure you are taking …

We want a quick fix when we’re stressed out, but we need more than one skill.

One Question That Could Change Your Life Immediately

I don’t often make promises in the course of conducting therapy. But this is a promise I can guarantee - even in the midst of the worst of situations

The ease in which you can obtain a prescription for mental health medication has greatly improved, especially in the last few years.

Tackling Anxiety - Part 3

Discussion about how our bodies respond to stress and trauma has expanded from “fight, flight, or freeze” to “fight, flight, freeze, collapse (fawn), fine, and faint.”

Developing an Action Plan Diana L. Paulk, PhD In Part One of our Tackling Anxiety Series, we talked about the importance of …

How to Make Your Worry & Anxiety Worse! Diana L Paulk, PhD From time to time, a client will call me right …

How long does depression last?

Depression is a deeply personal matter. For those that are suffering from it, it’s normal to ask questions such as ‘how long …

Couples counseling or marriage counseling?

Marriage counseling and couples counseling are closely related therapeutic approaches aimed at addressing relationship issues. They do, however, differ in their scope, …

ADD and ADHD

We often use the terms ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) interchangeably.

How long does couples counseling take?

Couples therapy, also known as marriage counseling or couples counseling, is an approach to therapy that helps couples improve their communication patterns, resolve issues and conflicts, and strengthen their overall relationship.

Differences between depression and anxiety.

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders. While they can coexist, they are very different.

Benefits of EMDR

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

EMDR is a type of psychotherapy that has been shown to be highly effective in treating trauma, anxiety, and other psychological conditions.

Meditation can help with depression

Meditation has been used for centuries to promote well-being … mental, emotional, and physical. More recently, meditation is being used as a tool to treat depression.

What's new in couples counseling?

Counseling is an evolving field and that certainly holds true for couples counseling. New approaches, techniques, and technologies have emerged that help …

Different types of ADHD

Different types of ADHD

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults.

What is EMDR?

Just what is EMDR?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapeutic approach that has literally revolutionized the treatment of trauma.

DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY Dealing with anger is a learned response that each child must address in his development. Parents are often …

Hi! My name is Angelica Bellman, and I am a Child Behavior Therapist serving Birmingham and surrounding areas from Birmingham Anxiety and …

Underneath the Anger

My name is Angelica Bellman, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor at Birmingham Anxiety and Trauma Therapy. For the last seven …

Why is college so stressful?

It’s supposed to be fun, isn’t it? Learning and hanging out with friends. That little nirvana between high school and the real …

Some people have extreme emotions

Being emotional is a part of life. And even though emotions are a natural part of being human they sometimes get in …

Telehealth showing many benefits

Organizations across America have been researching the matter and, at this time, we can confidently share that, when it comes to mental health matters, telehealth – or teletherapy – has been providing many types of patient benefits.

As we age, we experience increasing loss, additional health issues, and changes in life that can lead to sadness, worry, and depression. …

Anger is a natural emotion. All of us get angry sometimes, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. However, anger can sometimes …

More than ever before teens, 20-year olds, and 30-year olds are feeling frazzled, anxious, and overwhelmed. The search for oneself is becoming …

Imagining a Better Life

Our lives are filled with a series of events; one after another.  Blissful events, tragic events, and everything in between. When those …

Anyone can meditate

We all know that one person – and perhaps it’s you! – that “just can’t meditate.” “I’ve tried it and can’t do it.” “I can’t sit still.” “It’s not for me.”

COVID depression

By now, we’ve all heard that COVID-19 has had a massive effect on the population’s mental health. “In the first year of …

New Mental Health Hotline 988

An exciting new-and-improved national mental health emergency hotline is now live across the U.S. What is it? 988 is the new Mental …

When should you get professional help for anxiety?

Anxiety – When To Seek Help

Anxiety. We all have it from time to time. And, according to the ADAA, anxiety is the most common mental illness in …

best birmingham therapist

Tips to Help Find the Best Birmingham Therapist \When you are looking for mental health care, you don’t want to settle for …

Stress Related Anxiety

Stress Related Anxiety

What is the difference between stress and anxiety? There is a fine line between stress and anxiety.  Both are emotional responses; however, …

relationship counseling

Relationship Counseling

Relationship counseling assists couples in joint sessions as well as individually in order to gain a better understanding of each other.  We …

couple fighting

Conflict is inevitable in all relationships.  Communication covers every possible way we interact.  Effective communication is essential to a good relationship. Couples …

TSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health disorder caused by a traumatic event. Many people think that PTSD counseling for veterans …

premarital counseling birmingham al

Imagine preparing for marriage like you would when packing for vacation. You want to make sure you have every single item necessary …

Your Mental Health & Menopause

]Some women welcome menopause as it marks the end of their monthly cycles. For others, especially those with an early onset of …

blending family counseling

Blended Family Counseling

Relationships of any kind aren’t easy. However, bringing children from two different families under the same roof brings a multitude of differences …

counseling for women’s issues near me

Women’s Issues Therapy

Women are more inclined to talk to their friends and spouse about things that are affecting their day-to-day. However, that’s not always …

marital counseling - marriage counseling Birmingham, AL

Many people think that your relationship has to be on the brink of collapse before you should seek marriage counseling in Birmingham, …

In our last blog, we defined what a coping mechanism is and discussed unhealthy ones. You can read the first blog here. …

African American psychiatrist in Birmingham

Being an African American in today’s America is different, and many would say, more difficult, than it has ever been. Racial issues …

learn coping mechanisms with our Birmingham counseling services

Life is full of stressful circumstances. Most people attribute depression, stress and anxiety with something bad like losing a job, going through …

You’ve taken the first step and decided to seek counseling. Now what? With so many therapists to choose from, finding the best …

Male or Female therapist

Sometimes we know that we want one gender therapist or the other. For example, if you were a woman with an abusive …

In our ever-changing world, we see more and more options becoming available in all aspects of life. You can meet with virtually …

Looking for the highest rate of return on an investment? Invest in your mental health with counseling in Birmingham, AL! Think about …

Grief After Suicide

The death of ABC33/40 reporter, Chris Sign, by suicide has raised this sad topic in front of all of us living in …

Birmingham Anxiety & Trauma Therapy (BATT) stands in solidarity with our Black therapists, community, and patients. Now is the time for us, …

Dr. Diana Paulk explains why you should double dog dare your feelings and how to do it. If you would like more …

Dr. Diana Paulk talks about how to improve your coping skills. If you feel overwhelmed during these times, please contact us and …

https://youtu.be/fpWg9H2LPB Diana Paulk talks briefly about parenting during COVID-19 and gives helpful tips on how to manage the stress. If you feel overwhelmed …

At Birmingham Anxiety and Trauma Therapy (BATT), we want to remind you of the wisdom of Mr. Rogers. We also want to …

Within the last week, there were public shootings in El Paso, Dayton, and right here in the Greater Birmingham Area. Twenty-one people …

Correct negative thinking. If you could only make one resolution in 2019, please resolve to tackle your negative thinking! Simply put: Don’t …

Our last post discussed the relatively new discovery that our brains can be rewired long after childhood. Today’s post will discuss some …

This is the first in a series on the brain and trauma. Why is the brain so important when it comes to …

We are now in the middle of summertime. While that might mean that things slow down in some professions, it certainly isn’t …

A sudden change in behavior or attitude may signal the need to consult with a therapist who specializes in working with children …

You’re not alone if every once in a while you would like to escape from the chaos of family life. However, we …

Everyone knows that women and men are physically different. But few understand the unique social, cultural, and political pressures that women have …

Many men have been able to achieve their goals faster and with more satisfaction with the help of a therapist. Common reasons …

Infidelity, anger, illness, and sexual issues are common reasons people decide to seek help from a marriage counselor. Adults who have suffered …

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is seen in men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds. People respond to unexpected or prolonged …

Clinical depression involves more than just “the blues”. While everyone gets sad from time to time, clinical depression is a serious disorder …

Everybody worries or gets anxious from time to time – and the right amount of anxiety can even improve performance and focus. …

Together, we take a look at your life as a whole – family history, relationships, career path, home life, emotions, thought patterns, …

We connect with you as a unique individual. We work to make it as easy as possible to talk to a “stranger” …

We Love What We Do!

At BATT, we love what we do! We consider it a privilege to work with each person who walks through our door! …

Adoption

Having adopted internationally, Dr. Paulk understands that the decision to adopt is a brave choice to enter a tedious and trying process …

Get care from people who truly care.

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