Resources
Hotlines
Area Agency on Aging
1-800-510-2020
Alameda County Crisis Line- 24 hour line for crisis intervention, safety planning and self-care tools
1-800-309-2131
Alameda County Access Line- Mental Health services- Medi Cal services
1-800-491-9099
Senior Warm Line by Institute on Ageing- Conversation line for seniors
1-800-971-0016
American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
1-800-533-3231
Bay Area Women Against Rape
24 Hour Hotline 1-510-845-7273
Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments
24 Hour Hotline 1-510-794-6055
BACS Wellness Centers- Group activities, peer support, case management/ free
Hayward 1-510-247-8235
Fremont 1-510-657-7425
Pleasanton 1-925-484-8457
Khalil Center Islamic Faith based mental health care in Santa Clara
1-855-554-2545
La Familia- Spanish speaking health services
1-510-881-5921
Bay Area Post Partum Hotline
1-888-773-7090
SFSI/ SGR- Free confidential, science based information on sex, sexuality and resources for safer sex.
1-415-989-7374
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860
Book Recommendations
Process Art
Life Paint and Passion, by Cassou and Cubley- on process art
Awakening the Creative Spirit, by Valters Paintner and Beckman- on expressive art as a tool for spiritual health
The Artist Way, by Julia Cameron and The Artists Way Morning Pages Journal- 90 day program with journaling, recommended exercises all focused on tuning into the self and moving past creative blocks or finding your new path
It’s Never to Late to Begin Again, by Julia Cameron- process writing for life review/ memoir
Writing as a Path to Awakening, by DeSilver- process writing- a 12 month program with mindfulness integrated into the writing process
Relationships and Communication
The Five Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts. by Gary Chapman
The Erotic Mind: Unlocking Inner Sources of Passion and Fulfillment, by Jack Morin
Modern Romance: An Investigation, by Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg
Non Violent Communication: Create Your Life Your Relationships, and Your Work in Harmony with Your Values, by Marshall Rosenburg (audio Book on Sounds True)
Stop Walking on Egg Shells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Love has Borderline Personality Disorder, by Paul Mason and Randy Kreger
Why Does He Do That: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men, Lundy Bancroft
Soul Mates: Honoring the Mysteries of Love and Relationship, by Thomas Moore
Coping with Pain
Break Through Pain: A Step By Step Mindfulness Meditation Program For Transforming Chronic and Acute Pain, by Shenzen Young
The Way Out: A Revolutionary Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain (Pain Reprocessing Theory), by Alan Gordon
Turning Suffering Inside out, by Darlene Choen
Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief, by Jon Kabat- Zinn (audio book on sounds true)
Mindfulness Meditation
The Science of Enlightenment: How Meditation Works, by Shenzen Young
When Things Fall Apart, (or any works) by Pema Chodrin
The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle
The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of the Parallels Between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism, by Fritjof Chapra
Gender
Trans Bodies Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community, Edited by Laura Erickson- Schroth
Men Explain Things To Me, by Rebecca Solnit
Hope In the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities, by Rebecca Solnit
Sleep
Fall Asleep Stay Asleep: Relax into Sleep, Sleep Through the Night and Awaken Refreshed, by Martin Rossman (audio book on sounds true)
Parenting
1-2-3 Magic: 3 Step Discipline for Calm, Effective and Happy Parenting, by Thomas Phelan
Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility, by Foster Cline and Jim Fay
What to Expect When Your Expecting, (series) by Murkoff, Eisenberg and Hathaway
The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting; Raising Children with Courage, Compassion and Connection, by Brene Brown
Alzhiemer’s
The 36 Hour Day: A Family Guide To Caring for People Who Have Alzhimers Disease and Other Dimentias, by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabbins
Hope and Purpose
Mans Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl
Online Resources
WRAP information on Wellness Planning
NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness peer and family support groups and public advocacy
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Depression and Bipolar Disorder Support Group Berkeley
Sounds True educational wellness website, ranging from qi gong, yoga and meditation to nonviolent communication
DBT Self Help self guided DBT tools
The Greater Good website on enhancing wellness through gratitude
YouTube resources for Yin Yoga, Chair Yoga , Restorative Yoga, Power Yoga and Yoga with Adriene (yoga has been shown to help reduce anxiety and fight/flight response), I recommended recordings by Jon Kabat Zinn and Pema Chodrin on mindfulness. 8 hour nature videos for insomnia by Johnnie Lawson . David Solis- mindfulness meditation music video. ASMR repetitive sounds and images for self soothing.
AA/NA/OA/CEA-HOW/SAA /ALANON- addiction support groups, donation based and anonymous. Run by members.
Alameda and Contra Costa County meeting finder 1-510-839-8900 for AA.
A Network For Grateful Living exercises for bringing gratitude into your day
A Good Day inspirational talk inspirational talk by David Steindl- Rast
East Bay Circle of Men social support group
SIRS Sons in Retirement Activity group for male retirees
Meetup social networking website, free groups ranging from book clubs to yoga to age based activities and dating
Bilateral Stimulation Music
Self-soothing/ help with sleep-
Robert A. Yourell- album Evolucid, Personal Journey or Up Level