You don't have to figure this out alone.
If reading this site has helped, that's good. If you need more than education — and many people do — here is where to find it.
If you're in crisis right now
If you're thinking about suicide, having thoughts of harming yourself, or in any kind of mental health emergency, please reach out now. These services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988Free, confidential support for people in distress. Available 24/7 across the US. Spanish-speaking counselors and a Veterans Crisis Line option are available.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741Text-based crisis support if calling feels like too much. Trained crisis counselors respond, usually within minutes. Available 24/7.
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386Crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ young people under 25. Call, text START to 678-678, or chat at thetrevorproject.org.
Emergency Services
Call 911If you or someone with you is in immediate physical danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You can request a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officer.
Finding a therapist
A good therapist is one of the most useful relationships a person can have. These directories help you search by location, specialty, insurance, and identity — many include filters for sliding-scale fees.
Psychology Today
The most comprehensive therapist directory in the US. Filter by location, insurance, specialty, identity, and approach. Profiles include photos, fees, and what conditions each clinician treats.
psychologytoday.comOpen Path Collective
A non-profit connecting people with vetted therapists who offer affordable rates between $40 and $80 per session. One-time $65 lifetime membership.
openpathcollective.orgInclusive Therapists
A directory centering therapists who are trained in culturally responsive, anti-oppressive care. Search by identity, language, accessibility needs, and approach.
inclusivetherapists.comTherapy for Black Girls
A directory and community resource founded by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, specifically supporting Black women and girls in finding culturally competent care.
therapyforblackgirls.comLatinx Therapy
A directory of Latinx therapists across the US, many of whom offer services in Spanish. Founded by Adriana Alejandre, LMFT.
latinxtherapy.comSAMHSA Treatment Locator
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free locator for mental health and substance use treatment facilities across the US.
findtreatment.govWarmlines & peer support
Warmlines are like crisis lines, but for moments that aren't emergencies. You don't have to be in crisis to call. Many are staffed by peers — people who have been through their own mental health challenges and have been trained to listen.
National Warmline Directory
A directory of warmlines across the US, organized by state. Hours and availability vary; some are 24/7, others are evening hours.
warmline.orgNAMI HelpLine
The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free, confidential support and information. Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or text "HelpLine" to 62640.
nami.org/helpSAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential, 24/7 information service for individuals and families facing mental health and substance use disorders. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
samhsa.gov/find-helpWildflower Alliance Peer Line
A peer-to-peer support line offering a listening ear and resources from people who have lived experience with mental health challenges. Call 1-888-407-4515.
wildfloweralliance.orgHow to find a therapist who fits.
The therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy helps. Research consistently finds that fit matters more than any specific technique. So the goal is not the most prestigious or experienced therapist — it's the one you actually feel comfortable being honest with.
Most therapists offer a free 15-minute consultation call. Use it. It is normal — and recommended — to talk to two or three before deciding.
It's also normal to switch therapists. If something isn't working after a few sessions, you can tell them, and you can also try someone else. This is not failure.
Questions to ask in a consultation
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What's your training? What kind of therapy do you practice, and what was your training in it?
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Have you worked with this before? Tell them briefly what you're hoping to address. Ask about their experience.
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What does a session look like? How long, how structured, do they assign anything between sessions?
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How will we know it's working? A good therapist will have an answer to this. Be cautious of one who doesn't.
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What does this cost? Confirm fees, insurance, sliding scale, and cancellation policy before the first session.
Specialized support
Some struggles benefit from organizations with specialized expertise.
RAINN (Sexual Assault)
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online.
rainn.orgNational Domestic Violence Hotline
Confidential support for people experiencing relationship abuse. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
thehotline.orgThe National Alliance for Eating Disorders
Free, clinician-staffed helpline for people experiencing eating disorders and those who love them. Call 1-866-662-1235.
allianceforeatingdisorders.comVeterans Crisis Line
Free, confidential support for Veterans, service members, and their families. Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
veteranscrisisline.netReaching out is not weakness.
Whatever you're carrying, you don't have to carry it alone. The hardest part is the first message, the first call, the first appointment. After that, it gets easier.