- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988. People can call in or chat on line for emotional support and resources. There are over 150 languages available.
- Psychology today is a great website to seek therapy and psychiatry referrals. For more information visit www.psychologytoday.com.
- The SAMSHA Mental Health Facility locator is free to use and provides information about mental health resources in all 50 states. The locator can be accessed at: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov. SAMHSA's National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) TTY: 1-800-487-4889 Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline. This Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery.
- Automated Victim Notification (AVN) System 1-866-5-NOTIFY. The Illinois Automated Victim Notification System provides victims and concerned citizens with a toll-free number they can call for up-to-date information on the custody and/or case status of an offender. Illinois AVN operates through interfaces with the jail booking system, the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and circuit court clerks throughout the state. Illinois AVN is available online at www.vinelink.com, a public website that allows visitors to search for offender custody and case status. Users can register online for notification of changes in an offender's custody and/or court case status. Notifications are available by email, text messages or phone calls.
- Heal My PTSD website offers information on PSTD, books, and emotional support. For more information visit www.healmyptsd.com.
- National Center for Victims of Crime. 202–467–8700 www.ncvc.org. Provides resources, pamphlets and a national hotline for victims of crime.
- Illinois Crimes Victims Compensation Program. (800) 228-3368. Their website is http://www.ag.state.il.us/victims/index.html.
- The National Center for Crime Victims provides counseling and resources on safety and prevention of a crime. https://victimsofcrime.org.
- National Crime Prevention Council provides counseling and resources on safety and prevention of a crime. http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety.
- Victim Connect Center is a group of highly trained victim assistance specialists (VAS) who are dedicated to assisting victims. They are passionate about your cause and intentional in their actions to connect underserved victims of crime to the services they need. (855) 4- VICTIM.
- Anxiety: Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Guided Imagery – link is https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=34&contentid=18413-1
- Emotional Freedom Technique for more information visit: https://www.healthline.com/health/eft-tapping
- Meditation videos by Deepok Chopra on You Tube.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a form of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy [link to CBT] specifically developed for reducing the power of traumatic memories. For more information and a video go to this link https://www.brainline.org/treatment-hub/eye-movement-desensitization-reprocessing-emdr?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnuGNBhCPARIsACbnLzrgT9rFZ_t3Vc2LIs_D5zNzs5Xkf66Q1-iThUeoFyI-L40GBloPSfgaAuC7EALw_wcB
- RAINN is a national organization that focuses on helping survivors of any type of abuse. They offer emotional support through the phone. Call (800) 656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
- Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) (888) 293-2080, 180 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL. 60601.
- Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) is a good resource to talk to someone on the telephone for support and guidance when needed as well as to find domestic violence counseling near her home.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline Number at 1-800-787-3224. This number is staffed 24 hours a day by trained counselors who can provide crisis assistance and information about shelters, legal advocacy, health care centers and counseling.
- Statewide Helpline: domestic violence shelter referrals: 877-863-6338(TO END DV).
PODCASTS
The following podcasts provide self-help and can be downloaded in your app store for free:
- Mental Health News Radio
- Social Work Podcast
- Heal My PTSD
- Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations
- LatinX Therapy
- Additude ADHD Experts
- Red Table Talk
- Ultimate Health
- Meditation
- Anxiety Slayer
- Calmer You
- The Happiness Lab
- The following podcasts provide self-help and can be downloaded in your app store for free:
- In Recovery Dr. Harrison
- Where Should I Begin (Best for Couples)
- Navigating Narcissism Season (hosted by Dr. Ramani who has written several books on narcissism) 1 Episode 2 (Married to a Narcissist with Tina Swithin)
- Red Table Talk Season 5 Episode 4 (Explores Love Bombing)
- The Survivor’s Guide To Life
- Shatterproof: Thriving After Domestic Abuse
- I AM A Survivor
- Domestic Violence and How I survived
- The Domestic Violence Discussion
- Suze Orman Women and Money Podcast Episode #178
- Support For Survivors
- The Happiness Lab
- Basics Hinduism
- The Calmer You Podcast
- Meditation Minis Podcast
- Daily Meditation Podcast
- Mindful Coping Podcast
- Mindfulness Mode
- Mindfulness for Beginners
- Meditation
- Ultimate Health
- Pick the Brain
- Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations
- Mental Health News Radio
- The Psych Hub Podcast
- Unlocking Us With Brene Brown
- Therapy Chat
- The Emotions Mentor
- Yeah I’m Not Ok
- Not Another Anxiety Show
- The Anxiety Coaches Podcast
- The Anxiety Slayer
- It’s Okay to Feel
- OCD Stories
- The Positive Psychology Podcast
- The LatinX Mental Health Podcast
- LatinX Therapy
- Therapy For Black Girls
- On Purpose With Jay Shetty
- The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast by Dr. Duff
- Feeling Good By Dr. Burns
- Dear Therapists
- ADHD Experts Podcast
- The Autism and ADHD Podcast
- The Trauma Therapist
- PTSD
- Life After PTSD podcast
- Heal My PTSD
APPS FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION (There may be associated a small fee for these applications on your iPhone or Android phone.)
- Headspace
- Stop Panic Anxiety Self-Help
- Relax & Rest Guided Meditations
- Stop, Breathe and Think
- Calm
RECOMMENDED BOOKS (Most books are available through Amazon or Audible.com.)
1. Bard, Morton and Sangrey, Dawn. (1986). The Crime Victim’s Book. Secaucus, NJ: Citadel Press.
2. Berglas, Steven. (1985, February). “Why Did This Happen To Me?” Psychology Today: 44-48.
3. Bourne, E.J. (2010). The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook.
4. Brown, Brene. (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection.
5. Burns, David. (1990). The Feeling Good Handbook.
6. Burns, David. (2006). When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Treatment That Can Change Your Life (CD).
7. Carpenter, Erin. (2013). Life, Reinvented: A Guide to Healing From Sexual Trauma for Survivors and Loved Ones.
8. Chapman, Gary D. (1995). The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. Chicago: Northfield Pub.
9. Copeland, Mary Ellen and Harris, Maxine. (2000). Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook.
10. Durvasula, Ramani. (aka Dr. Ramani) (2017). Should I Stay or Should I Go? Surviving A Relationship With A Narcissist.
11. Durvasula, Ramani. (2019). Don’t You Know Who I Am?”: How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility.
12. Germer, Christopher and Neff, Kristin. (2018). The Mindful Self Compassion Workbook.
13. Goleman, Daniel (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.
14. Hendrix, Harville (1995). Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples.
15. Hendrix, Harville and Hunt, Helen L. (2003). Getting the Love You Want Workbook: The New Couples Study Guide.
16. Levine, Amir and Heller, Rachel (2010). Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find and Keep Love.
17. Levine, Peter A. and Frederick, Ann. (2002). Waking the Tiger. Healing the Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences.
18. Levine, Peter A. and Mate, Gabor. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Release Trauma and Restores Goodness.
19. Maltz, Wendy. (2012). The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse.
20. O’Connor, Richard. (1999). Undoing Depression: What Therapy Doesn't Teach You and Medication Can't Give You.
21. Posen, D. (2003) Little book of stress relief.
22. Richardson, C. (1998) Take time for your life.
23. Rinpoche, Y. M, Swanson, E. & Goleman, D. (2008). The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness.
24. Schwartz, Arielle (2017). The Complex PTSD Workbook.
25. Shetty, Jay. (2023). 8 Rule of Love. How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go.
26. Siegel Daniel J., and Solomon, Marion. (2003). Healing Trauma: Attachment, Mind, Body and Brain.
27. Shapiro, Francine. (2012). Getting Past Your Past.
28. Swithin, Tina. (2012). Divorcing a Narcissist: One Mom's Battle.
29. Tawwab, Nedra Glover. (2021). Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself.
30. Tawwab, Nedra Glover. (2021). The Set Boundaries Workbook: Practical Exercises for Understanding Your Needs and Setting Healthy Limits.
31. Van Der Kolk, Bessel. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score.
32. Warren, Rick. (2012). The Purpose Driven Life.
33. Winfrey, Oprah and Perry, Bruce D. (2021). What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing.
