Updated April 16, 2019
An extensive collection of resources for mental health, wellness, and personal development
Explore evidence-based practices for mental illness and read about available treatments. Access research, statistics, online courses, and self-help guides. This list also includes free downloadable worksheets, toolkits, and assessments for mental health professionals.
Education and Advocacy Websites
Mental Health
American Mental Wellness Association
The Campaign to Change Direction
Canadian Mental Health Association
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care
Mental Health Research Network
National Alliance on Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health
The National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED)
Safe Harbor (“Alternative Mental Health”)
Addiction and Recovery
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Center for Substance Abuse Research
The Coalition to Prevent ADHD Medication Misuse
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute on Drug Abuse
World Health Organization on Management of Substance Abuse
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and stalking
Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
human trafficking
Child Abuse and Bullying
Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
elder abuse
National Center on Elder Abuse
Children and families
National Association for Children’s Behavioral Health
National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
Separated Parenting Access and Resource Center
Adolescents and young adults
LGBTQ
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association
Self-Injury
Adolescent Self-Injury Foundation
International Society for the Study of Self-Injury
Self-Injury and Recovery Research and Resources
Self-Injury Outreach and Support
Suicide Prevention and Recovery
American Association of Suicidology
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
The Columbia Lighthouse Project
International Association for Suicide Prevention
National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Grief and Bereavement
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
The Center for Complicated Grief
The Compassionate Friends: Supporting Family After a Child Dies
National Alliance for Grieving Children
National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
Trauma, Dissociation, and PTSD
DIDiva – A Dissociative Identity Response Compendium
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
The Trauma Informed Care Project
military and Veterans
Lifeline for Vets (National Veterans Foundation)
Service Women’s Action Network
Anxiety and Mood Disorders
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
International Bipolar Foundation
National Social Anxiety Center
Shyness: Sponsored by the Shyness Institute
Eating Disorders
National Association of Anorexia Nervousa and Associated Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association
Personality Disorders
Borderline Personality Disorder Demystified
National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder
TARA: Treatment and Research Advancements for Borderline Personality Disorder
Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
Early Assessment and Support Alliance
Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America
ADHD and Autism
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
Other Mental Disorders
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation
The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Tourette Association of America
emotional intelligence
Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
Mindfulness
American Mindfulness Research Association
Mindful: Healthy Mind, Healthy Life
Stress
The American Institute of Stress (AIS)
Resources for finding help
The National Association for Free and Charitable Clinics
SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
other Resources
Assisted Living Research Institute: Assisted Living Options for People with Disabilities
Greater Good: Science-Based Insights for a Meaningful Life
International Cultic Studies Association
Recommended Memoirs
Alice, . (1971). Go Ask Alice. The story of a 15-year-old American drug addict, based on her own diary
Burroughs, A. (2003). Dry: A Memoir.
Cohen, K. (2008). Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity.
Hamill, P. (1994). A Drinking Life: A Memoir.
Kaysen, S. (1993). Girl, Interrupted.
King, H. (2006). Parched: A Memoir.
Knapp, C. (1997). Drinking: A Love Story.
Wurtzel, E. (1994). Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America.
Zailckas, K. (2005). Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood.
Self-Help Websites
Take psychological self-tests and quizzes, read about symptoms and treatments, compare types of counselling and psychotherapy, learn about secure online therapy, and more
A site for individuals seeking information on DBT. This site includes DBT skill lessons, flash cards, diary cards, mindfulness videos, and more.
Collaborates with Harvard Health Publications to provide a wide range of unbiased, motivating resources and self-help tools for mental, social, and emotional. 100% nonprofit; dedicated to Morgan Leslie Segal, who died by suicide when she was 29.
National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse
A peer-run resource center
Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff
Test your level of self-compassion, watch videos, and download guided meditations
Providing the principles, patterns, and practices needed for personal development and success; a source for skilled living and personal empowerment
SucceedSocially.com is an extensive, completely free collection of articles on social skills and getting past social awkwardness. It’s written by someone who’s struggled socially himself, and who has degrees in psychology and counseling.
Additional Resources for Mental Health Professionals and Self-Help
Books and Resources for Therapists
Free Online Academic Journals for Mental Health Professionals
Free Online Assessment and Screening Tools for Mental Health
Free Online Education for Mental Health Professionals
Free Printable PDF Workbooks, Manuals, and Self-Help Guides
Drug and Supplement Safety Websites
Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance
Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss
DEA List of Controlled Substances
A comprehensive database featuring information and news alerts about potentially dangerous drugs currently on the market or previously available worldwide. The Web site is dedicated to keeping the public informed about drug recalls, side effects, and pending litigation associated with various drugs and their manufacturers.
Free Online College Courses
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer free online courses.
Take free online courses from the best universities and institutions in the world — Harvard, MIT, UC Berkeley, Microsoft, Tsinghua University, The Smithsonian and more.
All courses in one place. Course Buffet finds and organizes free college courses from over 17 platforms and 200+ universities, enabling you to search for them in one spot.
Local Resources in Northern Virginia
A free service that can help with finding local resources (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Access Community Lecture Series
These free workshops are designed for parents, families, individuals and professionals in the disability community and are open to the public.
Support groups, seminars, lectures, health programs, fitness classes, and more
Legal, social, and language services for vulnerable immigrants in the DMV area
An emergency shelter in Northern Virginia that assists women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
Catholic Charities of Arlington
Affordable counseling services
Center Clinic at George Washington University
Graduate-level students provide affordable counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults in the DC metro area.
Low-cost counseling services for individuals, couples, and families
Recovery support and resources for people and families affected by addiction
A nonprofit organization in Northern Virginia dedicated to ending poverty by working through partnerships and in collaboration with charities, churches, and human services agencies.
Community Counseling Services Center
Graduate-level students provide low-cost counseling services in the Washington, DC area
CARF-accredited behavioral health treatment in Montgomery County, MD. Services include residential rehab, psychiatric rehab, day programs, vocational services, transitional-aged youth services, a vocational art program, clinical services, crisis care, integrated health, and mental health first aid.
On this website you can learn about Virginia’s Medicaid and FAMIS programs for children, pregnant women, and adults. You can also find information about health insurance options available through the Federal Marketplace. Use the site’s eligibility screening tool or find someone to help you apply for insurance. (Adults in Virginia between the ages of 19-64 qualify for low or no-cost health insurance if their yearly income is below $16,754.)
Information on the opioid epidemic in Virginia
Book clubs, free classes, workshops, and more
Call the hotline at 202-333-RAPE. DCRCC also provides counseling and victim assistance services.
Emergency Mental Health and Detox Services in Fairfax County
A nonprofit organization in Northern Virginia dedicated to ending homelessness and the cycle of poverty.
Fairfax County Domestic Violence Community Resources
Book clubs, free classes, workshops, tutoring, and more
Free REVIVE! Trainings to Prevent Opioid Overdose
REVIVE! trains individuals on what to do and not do in an overdose situation, how to administer naloxone, and what to do afterwards. Each attendee also receives a free REVIVE! kit, which includes all the supplies needed to administer naloxone.
George Mason Center for Psychological Services
Offers a range of evidence-based treatment services and has a sliding scale fee
Harrison House/Recovery Unplugged
A unique drug and alcohol treatment center located in Northern VA. Recovery Unplugged’s mission is to provide hope and healing for individuals affected by addiction using the power of music.
Grief support services and groups in Annandale, VA
Free support groups, lectures, and health and fitness classes in Montgomery County, MD
IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery
Treatment for substance abuse, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders exclusively for members of the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) located in Upper Marlboro, MD
AA meetings in Springfield, VA
Health and wellness programs, weight loss seminars, lectures, fitness classes, and support groups
Free, volunteer-run classes on various topics
Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab
Low-cost counseling services for adults in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and the DC metro area, located at the University of Maryland in College Park
A sober living environment for men in early recovery
Montgomery County Public Libraries
Book clubs, free classes, workshops, and more
Narcotics Anonymous (Northern Virginia Area)
Network for Victim Recovery of DC
Victim assistance services
Northern Virginia Family Services
A nonprofit organization that serves the diverse individuals and families in Northern Virginia who live in poverty. Services: Mental health, immigration legal services, foster care and adoption, homelessness and housing, workforce development, health and well-being, early childhood development, and youth initiatives.
Northern Virginia Intergroup (AA)
Northern Virginia Mental Health Foundation
A site to raise awareness and acceptance of persons with mental health issues and to provide individuals seeking mental health services with help and information
A free program for seniors (60+) in the Northern Virginia area. Services include social calls, daily reminders (i.e. medications, appointments, etc.), and welfare/safety checks.
A Northern Virginia hotline. Call 703-527-4077
Quitline – DC Tobacco Free Coalition
Free smoking cessation program (including free nicotine patches and lozenges) for DC residents
Located in Alexandria, VA. AA, Al-Anon, and Alateen meetings
A nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention, safe housing, and supportive services to the homeless and to victims of domestic violence in Northern Virginia.
Pro bono services for individuals who are unemployed, uninsured, or otherwise unable to afford counseling (Burtonsville, MD location only)
A recovery club in Falls Church, VA. (Meetings include AA, NA, CoDA, Debtors Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts, Marijuana Anonymous, Clutterers Anonymous, Love Addicts, Heroin Anonymous, Survivors of Incest Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and more)
Wendt Center for Loss and Healing
Services for grief, loss, and trauma in Washington, DC
A non-profit counseling and education center
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