Welcome to the resources page! Here you’ll find all kinds of goodies to help you learn more about what’s going on with you or to get started finding help. This is a growing collection, so if there’s something you want me to add, please let me know!

How to find a good therapist

If you’re trying to figure out if therapy is right for you, here are some very good reasons to go. If you want to know what qualities a good therapist has and how to figure out if they’re right for you, take a look at this post. In terms of where to go to actually find one, here are some places to get started:

• Psychology Today has a great therapist directory that you can sort according to insurance, issue, gender, et. This is what I used, and it was great.
• The American Psychological Association also has a directory.
• Ask friends and family if you feel comfortable doing so.
• You might also try online/app – based therapy such as Talkspace, 7 Cups of Tea, or BetterHelp.

When contacting a potential therapist, be sure to include the following:

• how you found them
• ask if they’re taking new patients
• what issue(s) you need help with
• how they can best contact you

Books

I always have my nose in a book, especially during any of my history classes in high school because I did NOT like Mr. Sullivan. Even if he totally got me into Rasputin. Here are some great places to start that can help you get a handle on what’s happening in your brain/body when you’re feeling anxiety and give you some strategies for when you’re trying to communicate what’s happening. Individual posts about these books can be found here.

• Don’t Panic by Reid Wilson.
• The Worry Trick by David Carbonell.
• The Anxiety Toolkit by Alice Boynes.
• The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron.
• The Highly Sensitive Person’s Workbook.
• Anything by Brene Brown, but most particularly The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly.
• Yes Please by Amy Poehler. While not about anxiety, this book is amazing and funny and invaluable.
• This Panic Attacks Workbook which I have used and loved.

Websites/Articles/Blogs

• Cognitive Behave Yourself, a blog by a clinical psychologist who road tests cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in everyday situations. It’s amazing.
• How our gut influences our emotions.
• How headaches are related to anxiety.
• The science of deep breathing.
• This article about why bad moods are good for you.
• How meditation changes the mind and body.
• Habits of highly emotionally intelligent people.
• This study about how people process trauma differently.
• How personality and mental illness are connected.
• What is anxiety sensitivity? (aka the panic loop or the anxiety loop).
• An explanation of the mental load, which adversely effects women and can really impact anxiety.
• Heads Together, the awesome mental health initiative launched by the Royal Family.
• Healthy tips for a better night’s sleep.
• The best drug for depression? Pets!
• Why people with mental health issues are always so tired NEW!!

TED Talks/Videos

• What is depression? NEW!
• The brain-changing benefits of exercise.
• How to practice emotional first aid (this is aimed at teachers and students, but is useful for everyone).
• How your brain creates emotions.
• Loneliness and what to do about it.
• The power of vulnerability.
• How to stay calm when you know you’ll be stressed.
• There’s no shame in taking care of your mental health.
• Mental health for all by involving all.
• How to connect with depressed friends.
• Why I train grandmothers to treat depression.
• Don’t suffer from your depression in silence.
• The philosophy of Stoicism.
• Why do we love?.
• How running helps your mental health.
• Quick advice from Kristen Bell’s therapist.
• An exercise in self-compassion. NEW!

Apps

Posts about these apps and my experiences with them can be found here, here, here, and here.

• For meditation, try Headspace, Buddhify, or Stop, Breathe, Think.
• For yoga, try Down Dog, Yoga With Adriene, or these poses for anxiety.
• For symptom tracking, try Symple.

Podcasts

• NPR’s The Hidden Brain is awesome and teaches you so much about how your brain works.
• The Wise Council podcast, which is specifically geared toward mental health.
• The Moth isn’t about anxiety specifically, but I really identify with a lot of the storytellers and it’s so nice to know I’m not alone.
• All In The Mind, which explores behavior, depression, etc.

 

Resources for partners of people with anxiety

• The Meltdown Guide for when your partner has a panic attack.
• What to say/not to say to someone having an anxiety/panic attack.
• What to try when your partner or someone close to you feels anxious.
• Advice from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
• Advice from Psychology Today.
• You may find it helpful to read what my partner has to say about how he tries to approach the effect my anxiety has on our lives.

What am I missing? Drop me a line and let me know.