988 (call or text) - 24/7 suicide and mental health crisis hotline and website. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.
One minute to C.A.L.M.
Comfort: What is one small thing that you can imagine doing right now that will feel comforting to you? Think about that for 15 seconds (ideas to imagine yourself doing: Taking warm bath, looking at the ocean, taking a nap, going for a run, eating a snack, sitting in a comfortably darkened room, petting a dog.)
Awareness: Put one hand on your heart and one on your belly and feel your breath for 15 seconds and then ask yourself what you are feeling, where you feel it and what the part of you that is scared/anxious/angry/upset etc needs. You can also put one hand on your forehead and one on the back of your head if that feels better.
Love: Keep your hands on your heart and belly and think one loving (validating, calming, curious) thought and say that loving thought to scared/anxious/angry/upset etc part of yourself. You are not trying to make the part go away but you are giving that part love and attention - giving that part of you a voice.
Mindful: Look around and notice things that you appreciate for 15 seconds (like your favorite color or textures.) Ask that part of you that is upset to look around with you. Repeat until you feel calmer or more confident.
H.A.L.T. Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired? Stop and meet those needs first.
Regulate your nervous system:
Consider adding ways to calm and regulate your nervous system daily. Stretching, slowing down, turning off screens, reading a book for entertainment, acupuncture, yoga with connection to breath work focus, massage, floating therapy, biofeedback, neurofeedback, saunas, or exercise routines are just a few examples to help regulate a stressed nervous system.
Wellness Resources
Good News! to uplift our spirits.
Self Care App to consider that clients seem to like: Finch, Goblin Tools, Animi
The Science of Being Well (Free Course by Yale University)
Anxiety and OCD Free Resources for self-help
CDC Center for Disease Control Violence Prevention and ACE Study
Integrative Medicine Information Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
Additional Local Therapists:
Disordered Eating & Trauma Phoenix/Glendale Arizona Specialist Therapist: https://www.braveemberswellness.com/
Therapist for Teens and Adults: Katie Hammans, LCSW http://www.katiehammanslcsw.com/About-Me.html
Lisa Corbett, LPC with Deeper Dive Therapy (Adults, Telehealth Only)
Wellness Screenings & Questionnaires
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Postpartum depression screening
Adverse Childhood Experiences 10 question survey and article with links
Neurodivergence
Differences in mental or bio-neurological function from what is considered typical
Wenn Lawson (Autistic Consultant and Researcher) website https://www.buildsomethingpositive.com/wenn/
Youtube Channels: Mom on the Spectrum; Autism From the Inside
Screenings and Resources: https://embrace-autism.com/
Neurodivergent Therapist Directory and Resources NDTherapists.com
Neurodivergent Friendly DBT Workbook: Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Panic and Stress Relief (Workbook)
Self Care for Autistic People: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-stress, and Unmask by Dr. Megan Anna Neff
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price, PhD
Therapist explains why ADHD is unmanageable Youtube Mickey Atkins
YouTube Channels
Education about Mental Health by Dr. Tracey Marks - YouTube
Other great YouTube Channels:
“Dr. Les Carter” (practical mental health advice)
“Surviving Narcissism” (another channel by Dr. Les Carter)
“Return to Oneness” (Music/Sound Therapy)
“Doctor Ramani” - Healing from Narcissistic abuse
“JudithOrloffMD” - Psychiatrist MD who specializes in helping Empaths and HSPs (Highly Sensitive People)
“Mom on the Spectrum”
“Autism From the Inside”
TED Talks: One recommended talk: (The Simple Cure for Loneliness)
Channels that teach about love, compassion and emotional healing:
Eckhart Tolle, Matt Kahn, Abraham-Hicks, Sadhguru, Women of Impact, Iyanla Vanzant, Don Miguel Ruiz, Thich Nhat Hanh Plum Village, and Marianne Williamson.
Hannah Gadsby “Who do you want to be” Graduation speech at The University of Tasmania
Meditation and Mindfulness Apps
Headspace
Calm
Simple Habit
Muse Meditation and Biofeedback Program Choosemuse.com
Mindfulness Exercises
https://www.shambhala.com/mindfulnessprescription
Mindfuless Tips: Check the Facts (and other DBT skills) link
Books & Links
Self-Improvement and Enrichment
Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself by Lissa Rankin, M.D.
Dr. Tracey Marks Why Am I So Anxious? Powerful Tools for Recognizing Anxiety and Restoring Your Peace
The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris - works well with ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Unf*** Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs…by Dr. Faith G Harper
Matt Kahn: Whatever Arises, Love That and All For Love
When the Past is Present: Healing the Emotional Wounds That Sabotage Our Relationships by David Richo
Feminism, Equity and Anti-Racism: bell hooks - several books including: All About Love (Gloria Jean Watkins)
Eckhart Tolle: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose & The Power of Now
Therapy Jeff: Therapist on social media who makes fun videos about therapy and relationships
The Four Agreements by M. Ruiz
You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay (take some of her advice with a grain of salt)
Life Isn’t Binary: On Being Both, Beyond and In-Between by Barker and Iantaffi
LGBTQ books that tackle mental health, abuse and grief - listed on The Advocate Website
The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People by Judith Orloff, MD
The Highly Sensitive: How to Stop Emotional Overload, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Energy by Judith Orloff, MD
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie
Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie
A Radical Awakening: Turn Pain Into Power, Embrace Your Truth, Live Free by Shefali Tsabary
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World - Narrated by The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams (on Audible)
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by C. Germer
Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown (or anything by Brene Brown)
The Anger Trap: Free Yourself from the Frustrations that Sabotage Your Life by Dr. Les Carter
The Instruction: Living the Life Your Soul Intended by Ainslie MacLeod
Male Depression, Anger, Relationships I Don’t Want to Talk About It - books by Terrence Real
Any books by Maya Angelou
Big Magic by E. Gilbert
Risking: How to Face the Crucial Choices That Will Help You Make the Most of Your Life by David Viscott, MD
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
BEHAVE: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté MD
The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav
Ho'oponopono: The Hawaiian Forgiveness Ritual as the Key to to Your Life's Fulfillment by Ulrich E. Dupree
Emotional Abuse Recovery
It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People by Ramani Durvasula, PhD
Psychopath Free: Recovering from Emotionally Abusive Relationships with Narcissists, Sociopaths, and Other Toxic People by Jackson MacKenzie
Emotional Abuse Breakthrough Scripts: 107 Empowering Responses by Barrie Davenport
Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft
NARCISSISTIC ABUSE: Recover from Emotional Abuse, Mental Manipulation, and Toxic Relationships — a Guide to Surviving Psychological Abuse and Codependent Relationships by Beverly Reyes
Should I Stay Or Should I Go: Surviving A Relationship with a Narcissist
Book by Ramani Durvasula
Blind to Betrayal: Whey We Fool Ourselves We Aren’t Being Fooled (Freyd and Birrell) Book
Second Saturday: Divorce Information Workshops with low cost fee - several locations available
Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld by Dr. Christine Cocchiola, Amy Polacko, et al. book
National Domestic Abuse Hotline
Wanna Talk About It - resources for mental health, abuse, and crisis outreach.
The Highly Sensitive Person
The Highly Sensitive Person's Survival Guide: Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff and info about being Highly Sensitive
Essential Skills for Living Well in an Overstimulating World by Tedd Zeff
The Empath’s Survival Guide by Dr. Judith Orlott
Anxiety
Dr. Tracey Marks Why Am I So Anxious? Powerful Tools for Recognizing Anxiety and Restoring Your Peace
Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous & Independent Children by Reid Wilson and Lynn Lyons
Stopping the Noise in Your Head by Reid Wilson and anxieties.com
The 10 Best Ever Anxiety Management Techniques Workbook by Margaret Wehrenberg (she has a book & workbook on depression, too.)
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky
UnF*ck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs and Triggers by Faith Harper, PhD, LPC-S
Trauma Recovery
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Walking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, book by Judith Lewis Herman MD
Grief and Loss
It's OK That You're Not Okay: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Devine
Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore and Jeffrey Rubin
Grief support groups:
Griefshare.org
Hospice of the Valley https://hov.org
New Song Center for grieving children
The Compassionate Friends (TCF)
Parenting
The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children by Dr. Shefali Tsabary
Parenting After Divorce: Resolving Conflicts and Meeting Your Children's Needs by P. Stahl, Ph.D.
The Blessings of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children by Wendy Mogel
The Connected Child by Purvis, Cross and Sunshine
Couples & Relationships
The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hahn
Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
Mating in Captivity: Reconciling the Erotic & the Domestic and/or The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity by Esther Perel
Come as You Are: The Surprising Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski
Sis Don’t Settle: How to Stay Smart in Matters of the Heart by Faith Jenkins
Reach out, find community, stay connected
Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Resources
How to Be You by Jeffrey Marsh (a book for LGBTQ teens)
Audible books & Podcasts are great ways to distract yourself from overthinking about everyday worries....
Podcasts and Shows
Oprah's Super Soul Conversations Podcast
Good News Network (App or Website) for daily GOOD news!
HAPPY (Documentary available on Netflix)
Esther Perel (Where Should We Begin?) Podcast
Ted Talks about anything
KJC’s intention in recommending the above information is to freely share quality resources with others that will hopefully be helpful.
Write your own story or imagine a new one.
Prompt idea: If you were to be a main character in your own favorite type of novel, what story would you want to write?