Healing Resources
We believe that opportunities for healing and learning are everywhere, not just in a therapy room! We recommend checking out the following resources to supplement your journey in therapy.
Please be aware that all of these resources contain potentially triggering and mature material. If you feel overwhelmed during your engagement with these resources, please check in with your therapist for additional support.
Addiction
Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong
In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts By Gabor Mate
Discusses addiction, homelessness, trauma
"Addiction Poem" A Message Of Hope by IN-Q
Poem about healing from addiction
Nuggets
Animation illustrating a metaphor for addiction
Antiracism
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
Explores how racialized trauma is stored in the bodies of all races and how to start healing from it.
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Explore the different aspects of white supremacy and how white supremacy has show up in your life.
Antiracism Daily
Daily newsletter that discusses various issues within BIPOC communities with various writers from many Communities of Color. Get the daily email or explore the archives.
ARC suggested reads: https://bookshop.org/shop/anti-racism-daily
13th Documentary
Discusses Black History and its relation to Mass Incarceration
Available on Netflix and Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8
Hello Privilege. It’s Me Chelsea
Discusses White Privilege
Available on Netflix.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPsLcrVlwt4
How To Build An Antiracist World TED Talk
https://bookshop.org/books/how-to-be-an-antiracist/9780525509288
How To Be An Antiracist
Explores history of racism and how to actively challenge racism.
https://bookshop.org/books/how-to-be-an-antiracist/9780525509288
Is This the Beginning of the End of American Racism?
By Ibram X Kendi
Discusses the history of racism in the U.S.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/09/the-end-of-denial/614194/
Explained | Racial Wealth Gap
Discusses racism in socioeconomic systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqrhn8khGLM
Antiracism Resources for White People
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic
11-Step Guide to Understanding Race, Racism, and White Privilege
Guide to Being an Anti-Racism Activist
https://www.thoughtco.com/things-you-can-do-to-help-end-racism-3026187
103 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234
Article: This app will show you what Indigenous land you're on
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/22/us/native-land-app-trnd/index.html
Covid-19
Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook
https://thewellnesssociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook.pdf
Your ‘Surge Capacity’ Is Depleted — It’s Why You Feel Awful
Discusses how Covid-19 is draining our survival energy
https://elemental.medium.com/your-surge-capacity-is-depleted-it-s-why-you-feel-awful-de285d542f4c
Depression
This Could Be Why You're Depressed or Anxious TED Talk By Johann Hari
Discusses psycho-social factors for depression and anxiety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB5IX-np5fE
Lost Connections By Johann Hari
Discusses psycho-social factors for depression and anxiety and how to heal from them, elaborates more on Hari's TED talk above!
https://bookshop.org/books/lost-connections-why-you-re-depressed-and-how-to-find-hope/9781632868312
Gary Gulman: The Great Depresh
Gary’s experience with depression
On HBO: https://www.hbo.com/specials/gary-gulman-the-great-depresh
Eastern Philosophy for Healing
Rebel Buddha By Dzogchen Ponlop
https://bookshop.org/books/rebel-buddha-a-guide-to-a-revolution-of-mind/9781590309292
You Are Here By Thich Nhat Hanh
https://bookshop.org/books/you-are-here-discovering-the-magic-of-the-present-moment/9781590308387
Empathy
Jubilee Channel
Discusses various aspects of the human experience to build empathy and understanding
https://www.youtube.com/user/jubileeProject
Brene Brown on Empathy
Grief
We Don’t Move On From Grief. We Move Forward With It TED Talk
How do you help a grieving friend? Youtube video
LGBTQIA+
Transgender Teen: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals Supporting Transgender and Non-Binary Teens
By Stephanie Brill and Lisa Kenney
Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender
By Kit Heyam
Explores the history of the spectrum of gender identity and gender roles that do not align with the gender binary
Disclosure Documentary
Trans representation in culture and media- available on Netflix
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysbX6JUlaEc
Ash Hardell Youtube Channel
Queer/Trans Psychoeducation
https://www.youtube.com/user/HeyThere005
Paris is Burning
1990 Documentary on the New York drag and ball scene in the 1980s that is a pivotal part of drag, queer and trans history
Content warning: outdated queer language, some of which is now considered derogatory or inaccurate
https://watchdocumentaries.com/paris-is-burning/
Pose
Based on Queer and Trans community in 1980s/1990s New York City
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t4YuPXdLZw
46 Terms That Describe Sexual Attraction, Behavior, and Orientation
https://www.healthline.com/health/different-types-of-sexuality
The way we think about biological sex is wrong TED Talk
By Emily Quinn
Discusses biological sex existing on a spectrum and importance of advocating for Intersex visibility
How to come out at work, about anything TED video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PmqknYmY9Q&list=RDCMUCAuUUnT6oDeKwE6v1NGQxug&index=1
Gender Spectrum: Myths About Gender
https://genderspectrum.org/articles/myths
Gender Spectrum: Understanding Gender
https://genderspectrum.org/articles/understanding-gender
LGBTQ+ Allyship and You: DRIEP Training
Great LGBTQ+ info for beginners
*Registration open and closes frequently, check for next opening!
https://www.driep.org/lgbtq-training
Effective Allyship: A Transgender Take on Intersectionality | Ashlee Marie Preston | TEDxPasadena
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EcuDfDjUd8&feature=emb_logo
Interviewing LGBT High Schoolers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haPXxFLQhJI
Transgender Children Talk About Being Raised By Their Families | them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLNdExzuKwc
Your words have the power to end suffering of LGBTQ youth | Kat Clark | TEDxTauranga
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zuqUpiM26c&feature=emb_logo
Pronouns | Trans | One Word | Cut
Discusses importance of personal pronouns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn1TC7VEpf4&feature=emb_logo
Them Youtube Channel
All things queer
https://www.youtube.com/c/watchthem/videos
Bisexuality + Purity Culture + Hedonism Retreat with Gabrielle Alexa
Chatty Broads Podcast
A sex positive take on bisexuality, cultural conditioning around sex and gender roles, how sex education can fall short, cultural conditioning that leads to toxic monogamy, the benefits of non-monogamy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8EALorIHbs
An Ally's Guide to Terminology
LGBTQ+ Terminology Guide
https://www.glaad.org/files/allys-guide-to-terminology.pdf
5 Tips For Parents of LGBT Kids | Queer 101 | The Advocate
A pastor and mom gives advice to parents of LGBTQ+ children from a faith based perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Ev2QG0W9M
Rose Montoya's Social Media
Transgender Education and Empowerment
IG & TT: @rosalynnemontoya
GENDER HEALTH SUBCATEGORY
UCLA Gender Health Center
Gender Affirmative Medical Care
https://www.uclahealth.org/gender-health/
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Center for Transyouth Health and Development
Gender Affirmative Medical Care for ages up to 25 and peer support groups
https://www.chla.org/the-center-transyouth-health-and-development
Gender Spectrum Support Groups
Groups for trans, non-binary and gender expansive preteens, teens, and their parents
https://genderspectrum.org/articles/gender-spectrum-groups
Refuge Restrooms
Ranking site for how safe public bathrooms are for gender expansive individuals, search by location.
Mind / Body Connection
Gabor Mate - Toxic Culture - How Materialistic Society Makes Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_ALpvLadQI
When The Body Says No by Gabor Maté
Explores the stress disease connection and correlations between specific life experiences / emotional regulation styles in connection to major diseases such as Cancer, ALS, Asthma, etc.
Somawise: Get out of your head, get into your body by Dr. Luke Sniewski
Explores connecting with the body in order to make deeper healing possible. Helps you to explore what's been living in your nervous system and how to release what's holding you back.
https://books2read.com/Somawise-Get-out-of-your-head-get-into-your-body
Self Esteem
Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability TED Talk
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability
Brene Brown: Listening to Shame TED Talk
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_listening_to_shame
Queer Eye
Discusses self improvement and self love
Available on Netflix.
Latest Season Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WechPJGpqS8
Demi Lovato on Ashley Graham’s Pretty Big Deal
Discusses Eating Disorder Recovery, Body Image, Self Care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9mqc4ou8Cc
Inquire Within by IN-Q
Book of poetry on various subjects including self examination and society examination by IN-Q
Self Efficacy
7 ADHD-Inspired Hacks for Better Concentration
Dad How Do I? Youtube Channel
Teaches life skills such as how to fix items around the house
https://www.youtube.com/c/DadhowdoI
Fear Is Just A Four-Letter Word By Tracy Tutor
A real estate agent's take on building confidence and success in business and beyond
https://www.tracytutor.com/book/
16 Personalities Test
Online version of the Meyers Briggs Type Inventory. Learn how your personality type functions in relationships, at work, in problem solving, etc. Learn more about your strengths and areas of growth.
https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Non-Violent Communication Lectures with Marshall Rosenberg
Reimagine your communication style with this compassionate, needs based approach to communication.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZnXBnz2kwk&list=PLPNVcESwoWu4lI9C3bhkYIWB8-dphbzJ3&index=1
Med Circle Youtube Channel
Psychoeducation videos on a large range of mental health diagnoses.
https://www.youtube.com/c/MedCircle/videos
Masterclass Website
Perfect for lovers of learning! Take classes on a broad range of topics taught by high profile professionals from entertainers to athletes to entrepreneurs.
Social Justice
For resources specifically on race, see our Antiracist section.
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté and Daniel Maté
Discusses the toxic aspects of our society that have been normalized that are causing nervous system dysregulation.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Explores the history of humans as a species and how modern human culture came to be.
https://bookshop.org/books/sapiens-a-brief-history-of-humankind-9781467601573/9780062316110
They Call Us Monsters
Discusses teens with juvenile life charges and juvenile legal system
Available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_d3qIGPasY
The Mask You Live In
Discusses masculinity in our culture and toxic masculinity
Available to rent or buy.
https://therepproject.org/how-to-watch-the-film-the-mask-you-live-in/
Miss Representation
Discusses femininity in our culture
(prequel / sister documentary to The Mask You Live In)
Available to rent or buy.
https://therepproject.org/how-to-watch-the-film-miss-representation/
I was an MS-13 gang member. Here's how I got out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qkSMkiGWdg
#Unfit Documentary
Republican strategists, mental health professionals, and historians explore Donald Trump’s fitness for office and leaders with Malignant Narcissim
Available on various platforms for sale/rent including Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YNLBa1ov4Q
The Social Dilemma Documentary
Discusses how social media and the internet is designed to be addictive, how the internet effects self esteem, how algorithms are contributing to divide, misinformation and chaos in society
Available on Netflix
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaaC57tcci0
Implicit Association Tests (Harvard)
Test your unconscious biases towards different groups of people
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
Step Inside the Circle: Compassion Prison Project
People incarcerated connect over having shared traumas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVxjuTkWQiE
Honor Yard: Compassion Prison Project
Explores the mental health symptoms that many people who are incarcerated struggle with. Those incarcerated are some of the most traumatized members of society.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo_RUSuk4s8
Halsey's 2017 Women's March Speech
Trigger warning: explicit language and mention of assault.
Explores oppression and violence women experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HyLtDiRDLs
Foster Care + Adoption + White Saviorism with Ellie Coburn
Chatty Broads Podcast
Young foster / adoption mom shares her life story of loss and struggle with mental health concerns, what she learned about white saviorism, and her experience as an unconventional foster mother to meet the community need.
For Ellie's life story start at the beginning, for white saviorism / foster / adoption content start at 39:50.
Compassion In Action with Fritzi Horstman and Gabor Maté
Gabor and Fritzi discuss our traumatized culture, trauma as the root to both addiction and incarceration, and how important it is for society to become more trauma informed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A496QC-BMBc
The Social Change Ecosystem Map & Roles Definitions
"The Social Change Ecosystem Map is a framework that can help individuals, networks, and organizations align with social change values, individual roles, and the broader ecosystem."
https://buildingmovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ecosystem-Guide-2020.pdf
https://buildingmovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ecosystem-Roles-2020.pdf
Ten Reasons Why Your Mental Health Provider Stopped (or Never Started) Taking Your Health Insurance
Behind the scenes information on the issues of insurance coverage for mental health services
Trauma
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard Schwartz
Cracked Up with Darrell Hammond
Darrell’s story of child abuse and addiction recovery
Available on Netflix.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK_WmHUqvvk
The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Discusses how trauma memories are stored in the body
DissociaDID Youtube Channel
Psychoeducation on Dissociative Identity Disorder and trauma
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kFD5xIFvWyLlytv5pTR1w
This is Paris Documentary
Paris Hilton and friends share traumatic experiences in abusive boarding schools and the issues with the "Troubled Teen Industry"
Full documentary available for free on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOg0TY1jG3w
What is Felt Sense? With Dr. Peter Levine
Healing through working with body sensations and emotions
Treating Trauma: Two ways to feel more safe outside of therapy
Dr Peter Levine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7zAseaIyFA
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
Discussed the components of trauma and how trauma stores itself in your body.
Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal
Book by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
Connects childhood adversity to later mental health and physical health concerns.
Move Over, Love Languages: Do You Know Your ‘Route of Safety’?
Discusses different kinds of support for those healing from trauma.
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/routes-of-safety-model
The Choice: Embrace the Possible
Psychologist Dr Edith Eger shares her wisdom and insight after surviving the Holocaust as a teenager.
https://bookshop.org/books/the-choice-embrace-the-possible/9781501130793