By Dr. Sara Michelson Licensed Psychologist Chapel Hill N.C. The Psychological Effects of Spring: A Time for Renewal Spring is often viewed as a season of transformation, where the world …

By Dr. Sara Michelson Licensed Psychologist Chapel Hill N.C. Anxiety is a natural emotional response that affects individuals in various aspects of life, including academic, professional, and athletic performance. While …

By Dr. Sara Michelson Licensed Psychologist Chapel Hill N.C. Exercise isn’t just good for your body—it does wonders for your mind too! Here are some key psychological benefits: Improved Mood: …

By Dr. Sara Michelson Licensed Psychologist Chapel Hill N.C. The Impact of Cold Weather and Low Light on Mood The changing seasons, particularly during the transition to colder months, can …

By Dr. Sara Michelson Licensed Psychologist Chapel Hill N.C. Why Holidays Can Feel Difficult Holidays are often marketed as times of joy, celebration, and connection, moments that families and friends …

By Dr. Sara Michelson Licensed Psychologist Chapel Hill N.C. Insomnia, the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, can have wide-ranging effects on both physical and mental health. When chronic …

No matter how I curate my social feeds, it seems that never a day goes by without seeing “good vibes only” somewhere on my phone, expressed by one or more …

Stress can manifest from traumatic events, or from lower intensity but frequent daily hassles. Too much stress is a contributor to mental and physical health problems, even as far as …

The Vagus Nerve The vagus nerve is a long nerve that runs from your brainstem all the way down to your abdomen. It is responsible for many different functions, including …

Holidays can be a stressful time for new couples. Having different expectations can add strain and affect your moods. You might want to be together during these special days. Or …

Keeping our emotions close to our chest can often feel safer, but it isn’t always the healthiest way to move through life. This approach prevents us from discussing our needs …

What are the Causes of Insomnia? Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects as many as 35% of adults. It is marked by problems getting to sleep, staying asleep through …

Every day in this world is a shaky, uncertain, constantly changing landscape — and that causes us to try to get control. We create lists, systems, routines, schedules, comfort foods, …

Are you a good enough friend, employee, partner, or parent? Are you thin, attractive, smart, and nice enough? If you have doubts about yourself, you’re not alone. In fact, clinical …

Feeling the need to be in control is natural. It’s something we all inherently want, and we feel best when we know exactly what is going on in all the …

When we decide to create a new habit — exercise, healthy eating, meditation, writing — we can get excited and optimistic, and have an idea of how it will go …

Deciding to tell the people you love that you’re struggling with depression is a big step. Not only is it challenging to find the energy to reach out to people, …

As a therapist I’m usually a good sleeper. In fact, sleep and I have a bit of a thing going on. But last night? We weren’t friends at all. I …

Anxiety Disorder Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life. You might feel anxious when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important …

Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an often complex and challenging disorder for clinicians to treat. With a lifetime prevalence of 8% in the population, and in the aftermath of …

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most widely used evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety. In CBT, the focus is on thoughts, and how they directly affect emotions, and behaviors. …