Resources
We are lucky to live at a time in history when there are many, many resources available – from books (in print and online), to You Tube videos, to websites, forums, google/yahoo groups, community organizations and even Meet-up.com where you can find folks nearby going through similar issues or with shared interests. Click on the various headings to view some that I have found useful over the years during my own personal struggles and growth toward well-being and peaceful living.
Do let me know of any I haven’t included that have been helpful to you or those you love!
Depression & Self-Esteem
Books
Burns, David — The New Mood Therapy (updated edition) The first self-help book I ever read at 16, and it is still to this day an invaluable book for people suffering with depression.
Relationships
Websites:
Harville Hendrix & Helen LaKelly Hunt — co-founders of Imago Relationship Therapy harvilleandhelen.com
The Gottman Relationship Institute / Love Lab gottman.com
Imago Relationships International imagorelationships.org
Marriage Fitness with Mort Fertel marriagemax.com
Dr. Sue Johnson — Emotionally Focused Therapy & Hold Me Tight drsuejohnson.com
Books:
Hendrix, Harville & Hunt, Helen LaKelly — Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples
Johnson, Sue — Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
Inspiration & Spirituality
Books:
Frankl, Viktor — Man’s Search for Meaning
Inspirational Email Messages:
Panic & Anxiety
Fortunately, nowadays there are many books and resources available for those who suffer from panic disorder and other anxiety disorders. Here is a list of some of the ones I’ve found most useful. Of course, having so many choices can be daunting, so take a few deep breaths, relax, and choose only one or two to start with. They all have something valuable to offer.
Books:
Baer, Lee — The Imp of the Mind
Davis, Eshellman & McKay — The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook
Feniger, Mani — Journey from Anxiety to Freedom: Moving Beyond Panic and Phobias and Learning to Trust Yourself
Foa, Edna & Wilson — Stop Obsessing
Handly, Robert — Anxiety & Panic Attacks: Their Cause and Cure
Marks, Sir Isaac — Living with Fear
Rachman, Stanley & De Silva — Panic Disorder: The Facts, Second Edition
Wagner, Ph.D., Aureen Pinto — Worried No More: Help and Hope for Anxious Children
Weeks, Claire — Hope and Help for Your Nerves
Weeks, Claire — Peace for Nervous Suffering
Websites:
adaa.org (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) algy.com/anxiety healingwell.com/anxiety
Others’ Stories:
Parenting
Being a parent myself, I would have to say that Parenting wins the “Most Demanding Job on the Planet” prize hands down. Here are some of my favorites:
Books:
Bailey, Elizabeth — Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline
Brook, Carlene — Bringing Baby Home
Blogs:
Core Parenting coreparentingpdx.com/blog
Websites:
gordontraining.com/free-resources/free-parent-resources
Natural Child Project naturalchild.org
Portland Community Resources
Free & Useful Resources:
211info — Connecting People with Community Resources Free, Confidential & Live — covers all of Oregon and SW Washington Call or text: 2-1-1 (or 866-698-6155) Text your zip code to 898211 211info.org Note: As of July 2025, phone hours are Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm
Low Cost Counseling and Mental Health Support:
Lewis & Clark Community Counseling Center graduate.lclark.edu/clinics/community_counseling $15 intake session, then $10–$75 per session sliding scale (private pay only) Monday–Friday 9am–8pm, Saturdays 10am–3pm 4445 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland, OR 97239 503-768-6320
PSU Community Counseling Clinic pdx.edu/education/clinic $20 per session, sliding scale down to $5 for financial hardship By appointment only 1810 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97201 (Vanport Building, 2nd floor) 503-725-4620
William Temple House williamtemple.org $1–$80 per session sliding scale (no one turned away for inability to pay) Tuesday–Thursday, noon–7pm for applications; appointments Mon–Thu 2230 NW Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97209 971-242-2826
Portland Processwork Clinic (part of the Process Work Institute) portlandprocessworkclinic.org Sliding scale counseling for individuals, couples, families, and groups. Counselors are graduates of the Process Work Institute with advanced training in Process-Oriented Psychology. Please check website for current availability. 503-321-5002 2049 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97209
Postpartum Depression:
Baby Blues Connection — Portland babybluesconnection.org Phone/text: 800-557-8375 (24/7 support line) Free support groups, peer support, and resources for parents and families coping with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Postpartum Support International (PSI) postpartum.net Call or text: 800-944-4773 En Español: 971-203-7773 Free helpline, online support groups (50+), provider directory, and peer mentor program. Available in 60 languages.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 1-833-852-6262 Free, confidential, 24/7 support for pregnant and new moms. Interpreter services available.Low Cost Counseling and Mental Health Support:
Self Test:
Here are a few links that can be helpful in identifying the symptoms and intensity of your anxiety, panic, or depression. These tests are for informational purposes only and are meant to complement your work with a qualified health care or mental health professional.
adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/screenings/screening-panic-disorder
Sexuality:
Hotlines
GLBT National Help Center: 888-843-4564 LYRIC Youth Talkline — A peer talk line for LGBTQ youth 23 and under: 800-246-7743 / Monday–Saturday, 6:30–9pm Youth Legal Information Line: 800-528-6257 Confidential and free legal and practical support, information and assistance regarding safety in school, psychiatric abuse or forced commitment to a mental hospital or treatment center, homelessness, discrimination in the foster care system or juvenile justice system, and medical and legal issues for transsexual youth.
Websites
Unmarried Equality (formerly Alternatives to Marriage Project) unmarried.org Advocacy and resources for unmarried people and non-traditional relationships.
Gay-Straight Alliance Network gsanetwork.org An organization that empowers youth activists to fight homophobia and transphobia in schools.
It Gets Better Project itgetsbetter.org A great site that shares positive messages with LGBTQ youth and encourages them to hang on through the tough teen years because IT WILL GET BETTER.
Lambda Legal lambdalegal.org A national organization committed to achieving full recognition of civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom ncsfreedom.org
PFLAG — Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays pflag.org
Books
Labriola, Kathy — Love in Abundance: A Counselor’s Advice on Open Relationships
Taormino, Tristan — Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships
Ravenscroft, Anthony — Polyamory: Roadmaps for the Clueless and Hopeful
Suicide:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988lifeline.org Call or text: 988 (free, confidential, 24/7)
Living Works livingworks.net
Metanoia metanoia.org/suicide This page is an amazing resource for helping anyone who is concerned about suicide. It speaks directly to someone in pain and provides a broad range of options for support and getting through even the next five minutes.
Last updated: June 2026