Books, Links, and More
These are the main resources I use to stay current and help others.
Book Recommendations (I have read all of these):
Viktor E. Frankl
Welcoming the Unwelcome: Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World
Pema Chödrön [Note: Cultural accessibility warning. Specific religious beliefs mentioned.]
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Bessel A. van der Kolk
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
James Clear
Overcoming Overwhelm: Dismantle Your Stress from the Inside Out
Dr. Samantha Brody
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life
Henry Cloud and, John Townsend [Note: Cultural accessibility warning. Specific religious beliefs mentioned.]
Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren't
Henry Cloud and, John Townsend [Note: Cultural accessibility warning. Specific religious beliefs mentioned.]
Dr. Henry Cloud [Note: Cultural accessibility warning. Specific religious beliefs mentioned.]
The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts
Gary Chapman [Note: Cultural accessibility warning. Specific religious beliefs mentioned.]
The Interoception Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Mindful Self-Regulation
OTR/L Kelly Mahler OTD
Is That Clear?: Effective communication in a neurodiverse world
Zanne Gaynor, Kathryn Alevizos and , Joe Butler
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity
Devon Price PhD
Devon Price PhD
Is This Autism? A Guide for Clinicians and Everyone else
With common co-occurring, often misdiagnosed, health and mental health challenges.
Donna Henderson , Sarah Wayland and, Jamell White
The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
Dave Ramsey [Note: Cultural accessibility warning. Specific religious beliefs mentioned.]
Other Resources:
There are more than two hundred - 211 agencies across the United States, that are run by community specialists
who are available to help you access the best local resources and services to address your needs (like food, housing, crisis, disaster, or mental heath).
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, free help is available.
Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
Trans Lifeline (877) 565-8860
Trans Lifeline’s Hotline is a peer support phone service run by trans people for our trans and questioning peers.
Call us if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you’re not in a crisis or if you’re not sure you’re trans.
Warmline (number varies by state)
A warmline is a peer-run listening line staffed by people in mental health recovery themselves.
Warmlines are free to use and provide early intervention for people before a crisis occurs.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Pregnant or just had a baby? The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential, and here to help, 24/7 in English and Spanish.
1-833-TLC-MAMA [Call or Text].
The Living Room Program (LRP) (varies by state)
LRP is a free mental health crisis support in the US. It is an entirely peer-led mental health crisis respite center,
an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. The Living Room is a comfortable, safe, and quiet place for those experiencing
a mental health crisis. This program is run for those in recovery, by those in recovery.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)
An official website of the United States government regarding substance abuse and mental health.
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
An official website of the United States government regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - AskJAN
An official website of the United States government funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, and
Office of Disability Employment Policy regarding workplace accommodations and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Provides information, guidance and training on how to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR),
the network consists of 10 Regional ADA Centers and an ADA Knowledge Translation Center (ADAKTC).
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Low cost and free nonprofit mental health support for individuals and family members.
Therapist Neurodiversity Collective Directory
Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapist (non-ABA).
Written by: Ruth Holla, MPH
Asian American Therapist Directory
Asian Mental Health Collective
National Collation for Sexual Freedom Directory
Listing of psychotherapeutic, medical, legal and other professionals who have stated that they are
knowledgeable about and sensitive to diverse expressions of sexuality including but not limited to
LGBTQIA+, Kink, and Polyamory identities.
CenterLink LGBT Community Center (and resource list)
LGBTQ Centers serve a vital and multi-faceted role in many communities across the country. They are often the only staffed non-profit LGBTQ presence in the area and the first point of contact for people seeking information, coming out, accessing services, or organizing for social change. Over 60% of LGBTQ centers provide some direct health services (including counseling, peer-led programs, and support groups, as well as physical health and other mental health services).
The LIAM Foundation (Rockford, IL area)
Our mission is to encourage, heal, and empower the LGBTQIA+ community in Northern Illinois through Love, Integrity, Advocacy, and Mentorship. The LIAM Foundation provides services for all persons within our LGBTQIA+ community by offering safe and welcoming facilities for our community; providing support, services, and resources that take special consideration to the needs of our community; mentoring our community in life skills to persons with special needs, and or at-risk behaviors and or circumstances in our community.
LGBTQIA+ guide to online safety
This guide offers practical advice on managing privacy settings, navigating online dating, and establishing boundaries to enhance digital security for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The guide includes screenshots and step-by-step instructions on blocking, setting privacy options, and reporting online harassment to help mitigate cyberbullying and identity-based threats.
The Link Center: Bridging I/DD and Mental Health Systems
National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS),
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), and
National Association for the Dually Diagnosed (NADD).
Mental Health in Autism (MHAutism)
University of Nottingham Research Group.
Autism Essentials: Autistic-led education
Reframing Autism - reframing the understanding of Autism through education,
resources and research, underpinned by our lived experience as Autistics.
CurtinX: Autism and Mental Health (made in partnership with with Autistic educators)
This course provides autistic people and those around them with the
knowledge and skills to navigate the relationship between autism and positive mental health outcomes.
It also explores the intersection of common co-occurring neurodivergent conditions like
ADHD, Dyslexia, learning difficulties, auditory processing disorder, epilepsy...
Autistica - UK’s leading autism/neurodiverse research team.
The Autistic Advocate -from England
Kieran Rose. Kieran's articles are researched and cover
topics like Autistic Identity, Autistic Burnout and Autistic Masking.
National Autism Indicators Report
Researchers at Drexel University’s A.J. Drexel Autism Institute.
Interoception & Trauma: The Latest Science on Healing
OTR/L Kelly Mahler OTD
Polyvagal Theory: New easy to understand model of trauma recovery and mental health
Justin Sunseri: Stuck Not Broken Podcast and Resources.
These are not affiliate links.
Do you have other suggestions? Let me know!