Upward Behavioral Health

11/05/2025

☀️ UpWORDS Wednesday ☀️

Thank you for our weekly dose of positivity!

👀 Don’t forget to look around and appreciate all the things going right. 👀

As we step into November, the season of gratitude, let’s take a moment to notice the good — the small wins, the kind gestures, the everyday moments that make life brighter.

Science shows that focusing on what’s going well isn’t just feel-good fluff — it actually rewires our brains. Studies from positive psychology and neuroscience have found that practicing gratitude can boost mood, reduce stress, and even strengthen the immune system. Moreover, practicing gratitude enhances our optimism and ability to think positively.

So this month, try to pause and reflect on what’s working in your life. A grateful heart doesn’t just see the good — it creates more of it. 💛

11/04/2025

🌟 Dr. Misti Norton's latest blog is now available! 🌟

"How OCD Impacts Relationships—and What You Can Do About It"

OCD is more than being “extra neat” or “overly cautious.” It can deeply affect not only those who live with it, but also the people they love most. Partners, parents, and children often get pulled into the cycle of anxiety and compulsions—leaving everyone feeling drained and disconnected.

The good news?

OCD is highly treatable. Evidence-based approaches like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and SPACE for parents can help families break free from OCD’s grip and rebuild connection and peace at home.

🔎 Read Dr. Norton's blog here:
https://upwardbehavioralhealth.com/how-ocd-impacts-relationships-and-what-you-can-do-about-it

If you or a loved one are interested in treatment for OCD, please contact us to schedule a free 15min consultation at 205-983-4063 or via our website: https://upwardbehavioralhealth.com

*Image by Freepik

11/04/2025

Where are our Upward team members today? 📍📍📍

Dr. Megan Keyes is currently attending an advanced training workshop from Nellie Health: Couple Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder, Suicidality, and Emotion Dysregulation (Sage).

✨ Training Highlights ✨

🔹 Developed by Drs. Skye Fitzpatrick, Rachel Liebman, and Candice Monson.
🔹 Focuses on treating BPD, suicidal/self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, and emotion dysregulation within couple therapy.
🔹 Informed by Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Conjoint Therapy (CBCT).
🔹 Targets BPD symptoms, relationship functioning, and partner mental health.

Dr. Keyes is committed to enhancing her skills to better support couples dealing with these complex challenges. Her participation in this cutting-edge training will further enhance our services at Upward Behavioral Health.

11/04/2025

Excellent convo with couple therapist Dr. Anthony Chambers on how and why couple therapy is essential for partners struggling or experiencing relationship distress. Thank you American Psychological Association for this excellent episode of Speaking Psychology!

11/04/2025

Big congrats and thanks to all involved in this wonderful event!

The Southern CT Autism Center on Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders—for which YCSC Senior Research Scientist Suzanne Macari, PhD, serves as an external advisory board member—will be hosting a “Practice Traffic Stop” event on Saturday, November 15, 2025. The event provides an opportunity for autistic and neurodivergent drivers and passengers to practice routine traffic stops with police officers in a safe, supportive environment. Participants can be either drivers or passengers. The event is free, but registration is required.

11/04/2025

Paid research participation opportunity!

💙 Want to make a difference and earn a $15 gift card? 💳
We’re looking for caregivers (18+) of children ages 3–5 with a formal autism diagnosis who use fewer than 50 words to communicate.

📋 Take this short survey to join the research: https://aub.ie/literacysurvey

Your input helps advance autism research and support! 🌟

11/04/2025

11/04/2025

❤️

An Alabama high school recently added a sensory-friendly section to its football stands, and in the process, allowed several students and other members of the community to experience Friday night lights for the first time. 🏈

“We hadn’t truly recognized how many students (and their families) have never stepped foot in a Buckhorn Football game before, simply because it’s too loud or too crowded,” said Jacob Souder, who serves as a Buckhorn High School assistant principal as well as its athletic director. “Our advocacy is designed to hopefully make it possible for all to attend.”

🔗Read more in the comments.

11/04/2025

Join us in a super fun week here in Vestavia Hills--we welcome two new businesses and fun open houses supporting our local small businesses.

Join us!

11/03/2025

Exposure therapy is one of most effective ways of treating social anxiety. Check out this client’s sweet success at the UA Psychology Clinic! 🍬🍬🍬

11/03/2025

11/03/2025

📣 MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY 📣

We are kicking off this new month with the November issue our newsletter, Upward Updates!

Check out what our Upward team members have been UP to this past month!

Read newsletter here: http://46381366.hs-sites.com/upward-updates-our-november-2025-newsletter