One of the main inquiries I get in my inbox are questions about resources and where to turn during a mental crisis, life crisis or when you simply want to begin the journey of therapy and mental, spiritual growth. I believe one of the many reasons people don’t get the help that they need is because they simply don’t know where to turn or how to begin. So I wanted to dedicate this page as a hub for resources and I will continue to add to this page over time as more services come to my attention!
Where to Begin
Should I be seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, mental health social worker? One of the common factors of confusion is what type of services one should be checking into. So here is a list of the different types of mental health professionals, from therapists to psychiatrists and the type of services they provide for your specific needs.
Also, you can check out my latest video on 5 Ways to Find a Therapist for some practical steps!
One of the most common ways to begin your search for immediate help is through your insurance provider to refer you to mental health services that are under your coverage. Call them and find out what mental health services and which professionals your insurance covers in your area. Your primary physician may also be able to give a referral.
If you or your loved one is a college student, most colleges have clinicians on staff who can provide counseling services as a part of student services. Check in with your school’s health center for more details. They usually allow a certain number of visits per semester and can refer you to more local help if you require services beyond them.
In the US, check out HealthCare.gov to see if you or your loved one qualifies for free or low-cost insurance that covers mental health services.
Check out UHSM’s Health Share Program. UHSM (Unite Health Share Ministries™) is a nonprofit, faith-based health sharing ministry founded on Christian beliefs and values. Health share programs are an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional insurance for many individuals and families. UHSM takes a modern approach to health sharing that prioritizes holistic health and wellbeing. UHSM offers simple, fair, and friendly health share programs to its members, who can use its benefits across all 50 states. Inquire about membership options at www.uhsm.com or call 800-900-8476.
211- United Way or 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps people across the U.S. and in many parts of Canada find the local resources they need. Whether it be a mental crisis, housing crisis, disaster, employment, health, food needs, etc. they are here to help refer you to services in your area. They’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.211.org or you can simply dial 211.
Something to keep in mind when looking for a mental health professional to help you through your process: It takes a little time to build a therapeutic relationship and that’s okay. Let’s face it, you’re coming face to face with someone you’ve never met and are about to disclose maybe some of the deepest darkest things you’ve never shared before. Hopefully, the person you’re seeing will help you feel safe and comfortable enough to do so. However, I caution against being quick to dismiss therapy simply because it’s not clicking right away. Like most relationships, it takes a little time. Time for them to assess where you are and time for you both to build a relationship that feels genuine and authentic. Allow yourself that time. And remember at the end of the day if it’s just not working out, as discouraging as that can be, commit to your recovery by continuing to seek someone who might be a better fit for you. It happens.
That being said, here are a few resources to check out!
Imminent-Risk Crisis Resources:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 9-8-8. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and is now active across the United States.
- Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 crisis support by text message. When someone is in crisis or feeling distressed, they can text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor.
- You can text NAMI to 741-741 for NAMI’s text crisis line.
- Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
- Web Poison Control offers an interactive website, hotline, and app triage tool that guides users faced with a poison emergency, especially if someone has taken something that could be harmful. https://www.webpoisoncontrol.org/
General resources:
- To find nearby treatment services, call 1-800-662-HELP .
- The NAMI helpline (U.S. based) 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org can help answer questions about mental health issues including:
- Symptoms of mental health conditions
- Treatment options
- Local support groups and services
- Education programs
- Helping family members get treatment
- Programs to help find jobs
- Legal issues (the NAMI Legal Resource Service can connect individuals with attorneys in their area but does not have the resources to provide individual representation) They can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 am–6 pm, ET.
- You can also visit NAMI.org and click “Find Support” for resources in your area.
- Better Help Counseling offers online therapy services with licensed therapists at https://betterhelp.com/moses (sponsored: 10% off your first month)
- Check out PsychologyToday.com, Find a Therapist, for a search of different mental health professionals in your area. You can see what they specialize in and what types of services they offer as well as what types of insurance they accept.
- Warm lines were created to give people support when they just need someone to talk to. These calls are typically free, confidential, and you don’t have to be in a crisis to call. Here is a list of warm lines you can call by state: https://screening.mhanational.org/content/need-talk-someone-warmlines/
- Open Path is a “non-profit nationwide network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing in-office mental health care—at a steeply reduced rate—to individuals, couples, children, and families in need.”
- Low Cost Help is national directory of affordable and sliding scale counseling services: www.lowcosthelp.com
- Psychologist & Counseling Training Clinics. Most of these clinics are at universities and colleges that are training graduate-level students to become licensed therapists. These are typically low cost and overseen by professionally licensed supervision. Consider doing a local search online.
- Mental Health America provides free online mental health screenings to help determine if you’re experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Check those out here
- Postpartum Support International provides information about postpartum life and complications, including loss of a child, and other related struggles. https://www.postpartum.net/ | 1-800-944-4773 or text 503-894-9453
Christian Resources:
- The American Association of Christian Counselors and Find a Counselor.
- At PsychologyToday.com you can also filter your search for “Christian” if you’re looking for a Christian therapist.
- Faithful Counseling offers online therapy services with Christian licensed therapists at https://faithfulcounseling.com/brittney (sponsored: 10% off first month)
- Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselors Network: https://christiancounselors.network/
- Christian Counselor near me directory: /https://www.christiancounselornearme.com/
- Celebrate Recovery is a “Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life.” Groups are usually hosted in the local church but you can find locations near you here.
Spiritual Abuse:
- GRACE (Goldy Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) is a Christian-based organization with a team comprised of mental health experts, former prosecutors, and pastors who possess a combined experience of over 100 years addressing abuse-related issues. They leverage their experience and expertise to assist in creating a safer community for children and for those who have been impacted by abuse, including helping to provide independent investigations. https://www.netgrace.org/
PTSD:
- PTSD Coach an app that coaches through with information, treatment options, symptom tracking, and coping skills for PTSD.
Sexual Abuse:
- The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: a referral service that can put you in contact with your local rape crisis center. You can call the Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, or access RAINN’s online chat service.
- A Guide for Friends and Family of Sexual Violence Survivors: https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2017-10/friends_and_family_guide_final.pdf
- Women’sLaw.Org: Provides legal information for male and female survivors of domestic or sexual abuse including pressing charges in criminal and civil court, what to expect in court, obtaining restraining orders, and finding a lawyer.
- Ride-Sharing Sexual Assault Safety Guide: This comprehensive guide discusses the prevalence of sexual assault in rideshare apps, lawsuits and legal action against major ride-sharing platforms, and safety measures that Lyft and Uber passengers can take to avoid unwanted sexual contact.
Partner & Domestic Abuse:
- The National Domestic Abuse Hotline has highly trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the United States who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. The Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to empower victims and survivors to find safety and live free of abuse. https://www.thehotline.org/help/ | 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- myPlan is a tool to help with safety decisions if you, or someone you care about, is experiencing abuse in their intimate relationship. It can help you identify, navigate, and provides resources for a range of relationship abuse concerns: https://www.myplanapp.org/home
- Workplaces Respond provides resources, training, and technical assistance to employers, survivors, co-workers, and advocates to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual harassment and violence, and stalking impacting the workplace.: https://www.workplacesrespond.org/
Addiction:
- Drug Rehab helps equip patients and families with the best information, resources, and tools to overcome addiction and pursue lifelong recovery.
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has a Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems. https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
- Start Your Recovery provides helpful information for people who are dealing with substance use issues — and their family members, friends, and co-workers, too. They offer a single source of relatable, reliable information at any stage of their recovery journey. https://startyourrecovery.org/
- We Recover helps match you with carefully screened rehabs based on your clinical needs, budget and insurance. https://www.werecover.com/
Eating and Body Image Help:
- National Crisis Line for Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357
- National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support
- Eating Disorders Anonymous (EDA) is a Twelve-Step fellowship of individuals (founded in 2000 by sober members of AA) who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from their eating disorders. http://eatingdisordersanonymous.org/
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders supports and educates individuals struggling with eating disorders and their families. Their helpline is available between 9am and 5pm CST, and they will return messages left outside those hours (630-577-1330). https://anad.org/our-services/
- MyPlate provides nutritional education and online tools to help build healthy eating habits one goal at a time! https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Culture-Based Resources:
- Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls with an online directory to help locate a black female therapist. https://providers.therapyforblackgirls.com/
- MyTruCircle is a directory to help locate an African-American therapist for online or in-person therapy. https://www.mytrucircle.com/
- Therapy for Black Men is a directory to help men of color in their search for a therapist. Using the directory, men can search by therapist location and specialization. https://therapyforblackmen.org/
- Latinx Therapy is a is a bilingual database that connects individuals with therapists and other providers nationwide. The mission is to help you find a provider, in your preferred language and budget. https://latinxtherapy.com/therapist-search/
- Therapy for Latinx is a culturally affirming therapist database that can support you in understanding the process of finding mental health resources and in finding the right therapist for you https://www.therapyforlatinx.com/
- Asian Mental Health Collective has an Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Therapist Directory. They raise awareness about the importance of mental health care, promote emotional well-being, and challenge the stigma concerning mental illness amongst Asian Diasporic communities worldwide. https://www.asianmhc.org/apida
International Resources:
Crisis lines by country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines