Tools for the Road Ahead
Looking for support outside of sessions?
Here you’ll find a collection of books, organizations, websites, and other offerings that clients have found helpful along the way. These aren’t prescriptions — just tools, reflections, and resources you can explore at your own pace, and return to as needed.
Books
This list includes books that many clients have found informative, validating, or inspiring. Some offer tools for recovery, others provide insight into trauma, relationships, or resilience. Feel free to browse and take what’s useful.
Websites
These websites offer straightforward information, practical skills, and supportive guidance on topics like trauma, boundaries, emotional regulation, and self-care.
Organizations
These organizations provide services, hotlines, or educational materials — especially for those navigating domestic violence, trauma recovery, or mental health concerns. You can reach out to them directly if you need more support.
Books
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
A foundational text on trauma and the body, this book explores how overwhelming experiences live on in our physiology — and how healing must involve the whole self: body, mind, and spirit. Grounded in neuroscience and clinical insight, it’s essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the impact of trauma.
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker
A deeply validating book for survivors of emotional neglect, abuse, or relational trauma. Walker offers clear language for inner dynamics like the inner critic, emotional flashbacks, and fawn responses. He also offers practical tools for navigating recovery.
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
An empowering guide to trusting your instincts — especially when it comes to personal safety. De Becker breaks down the subtle signals our bodies pick up on, helping readers recognize boundary violations, spot warning signs, and listen to the inner voice that often senses danger before the mind catches up.
Women Who Love Psychopaths by Sandra L. Brown
A validating and eye-opening look at the dynamics of harmful relationships with partners who lack empathy and conscience. Brown explores why strong, empathic women may be especially vulnerable, and offers insight into the psychological impact of these bonds — not as a flaw, but as a reflection of deep capacity to connect.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
A profound and enduring classic that explores how meaning can be found even in the darkest of circumstances. Drawing from his experiences as a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, Frankl offers a compassionate framework for making sense of suffering — reminding us that even when we cannot change our circumstances, we can still choose how we respond.
Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine
In this foundational book Levine presents the idea that trauma isn’t just a psychological wound — it’s held in the nervous system, often outside of conscious awareness. Through accessible metaphors, case examples, and observations from the natural world, he explains how trauma responses develop and how the body’s innate capacity for regulation and healing can be gently reawakened.
Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman
A groundbreaking work that bridges individual trauma with broader systems of oppression and recovery. Herman outlines the stages of healing — from safety and remembrance to reconnection — while exploring the parallels between personal trauma (like abuse or assault) and collective trauma (like war or political terror). Thoughtful, rigorous, and deeply human, this book remains a cornerstone in understanding trauma’s impact and the path toward healing.
Websites
The Art of Healing Trauma Blog
https://www.new-synapse.com/aps/wordpress/
Created by trauma survivor and artist Heidi Hanson, this blog blends psychology, creative expression, and lived experience. It offers in-depth posts on topics like dissociation, the window of tolerance, and nervous system regulation — all written with empathy and clarity. It’s a great resource for those who learn visually or want to explore trauma recovery through both science and art.
Center for Mindful Self Compassion
Founded by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, this site offers research-backed practices for building self-kindness, emotional resilience, and mindful awareness. It includes free guided meditations, workshops, and online courses for people at all stages of healing. Many clients find mindful self-compassion to be a gentle but powerful tool for shifting self-talk and reconnecting with themselves.
The Crappy Childhood Fairy
Created by Anna Runkle, a trauma survivor and coach, this site offers down-to-earth tools for healing from childhood emotional neglect, dysregulation, and complex PTSD. Her video series and courses focus on calming the nervous system, shifting lifelong patterns, and rebuilding trust in your own perception and experience. The tone is no-nonsense, compassionate, and real.
Insight Exchange
This Australia-based initiative centers the voices and dignity of people who have experienced domestic and family violence. Insight Exchange provides resources for survivors and those supporting them — including the powerful Follow My Lead guide — and works to improve community and professional responses. It’s a thoughtful, non-blaming approach to understanding harm and honoring survivors’ choices and insight.
Narcissist Abuse Support
www.narcissisticabusesupport.com
This site is a wide-ranging resource for anyone recovering from narcissistic, emotional, or psychological abuse. It offers checklists, educational articles, survivor stories, and a global directory of therapists who specialize in these issues. Whether you’re trying to understand what happened or looking for next steps, this site can help you feel less alone and more informed.
The Mighty
The Mighty is a peer-led health community where people living with physical conditions, mental health challenges, and disabilities share their experiences. It’s a place to read real stories, connect with others who understand, and find encouragement from those who’ve been there. With thousands of personal accounts and topic-specific groups, The Mighty highlights the strength of authentic voices and collective support.
Therapy in a Nutshell
https://therapyinanutshell.com/
Led by licensed therapist Emma McAdam, this site and YouTube channel break down therapy concepts into practical, easy-to-understand videos. Topics range from anxiety and trauma to emotional regulation and self-compassion. In addition to the free content, Therapy in a Nutshell also offers affordable online classes for those who want to build coping skills at their own pace.
Organizations
This is not an exhaustive list, but a starting place. I’ve included trusted hotlines and organizations at the national, statewide, city, and local levels. Because I’m rooted here in the desert and Inland Empire, you’ll see several resources close to home — but I’ve also included programs across California. Wherever you are in the state, there are people and organizations ready to listen, believe you, and help you find safety and support.
National and State Resources
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | thehotline.org
Confidential, 24/7 support for anyone experiencing domestic violence. Provides crisis counseling, safety planning, and connection to local shelters and services across the U.S.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | https://rainn.org/
The largest national network for survivors of sexual assault. Offers a confidential hotline, live chat, and referrals to local service providers.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24-Hour Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 | Text “BEFREE” (233733) | https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en
A confidential national hotline connecting survivors to local services, law enforcement, and safe shelter. Operated by Polaris Project.
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV)
cpedv.org
Statewide coalition connecting survivors to local programs and resources throughout California. Their site offers a directory of domestic violence organizations by region.
Veterans Crisis Line
Dial 988, then press 1 | Text 838255 | https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/
Support for veterans, service members, and their families. Available 24/7 for mental health crises, suicidal thoughts, or domestic violence concerns.
Polaris Project
Website: https://polarisproject.org/
A leading national anti-trafficking organization. Provides survivor-centered advocacy, data, and training, and operates the National Trafficking Hotline.
City and Regional Resources
W.O.M.A.N., Inc. (San Francisco)
24-Hour Support Line: (877) 384-3578 | womaninc.org
Domestic violence crisis line and peer counseling for survivors in the Bay Area. Offers safety planning, support groups, advocacy, and referrals.
WEAVE (Sacramento County)
24-Hour Support Line: (916) 920-2952 | https://www.weaveinc.org/
Nonprofit serving Sacramento with crisis intervention, safe shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
Marjaree Mason Center (Fresno County)
24-Hour Hotline: (559) 233-HELP (4357) | https://mmcenter.org/
Central Valley’s primary domestic violence agency. Offers a 24-hour hotline, safe housing, legal advocacy, and comprehensive services for survivors and families.
Domestic Violence Solutions (Santa Barbara County)
24-Hour Hotline: (805) 964-5245 | dvsolutions.org
Confidential emergency shelter, counseling, and advocacy for survivors in Santa Barbara County, including Santa Maria and Lompoc.
Peace Over Violence (Los Angeles County)
24-Hour Hotline: (213) 626-3393 | https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/
Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing crisis counseling, legal advocacy, prevention education, and emergency services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
San Diego Domestic Violence Hotline
24-Hour Hotline: (888) 385-4657 | sandiego.gov/domestic-violence
Countywide crisis line that connects callers to emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and resources across San Diego.
Inland Empire Resources
Unity Home (Morongo Basin / Yucca Valley)
24-Hour Hotline: (760) 366-9663 | unityhome.org
Provides emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, and outreach for survivors of domestic violence in the Morongo Basin and surrounding high desert communities.
Shelter From the Storm (Palm Springs / Coachella Valley)
24-Hour Hotline: (760) 328-7233 | https://shelterfromthestorm.com/
Comprehensive domestic violence service provider for the Coachella Valley, including a confidential shelter, counseling, advocacy, and education programs.
Alternatives to Domestic Violence (Riverside County)
Hotline: (951) 320-1374 | alternativestodomesticviolence.org
Serving western Riverside County with a crisis hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and prevention education.
Desert Sanctuary, Inc. (Barstow / High Desert)
24-Hour Hotline: (760) 256-3441 | https://www.desert-sanctuary.org/
Provides a safe house, DV advocacy, counseling, and community outreach for survivors in the Barstow region and greater High Desert.
A Better Way (Victorville / High Desert)
24-Hour Hotline: (760) 955-8723 | https://abway.org/
High Desert program offering emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, and prevention services for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.
Option House, Inc. (San Bernardino)
24-Hour Hotline: (909) 381-3471 | optionhouseinc.com
Offers emergency shelter, crisis counseling, support groups, and legal advocacy for survivors in the San Bernardino area.