Children, Parenting, and Play

Child Mind Institute
Clear, accessible information about children’s mental health, behavior, development, diagnoses, parenting concerns, and evidence-based treatment.

HealthyChildren.org
Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on children’s emotional, behavioral, developmental, and physical well-being.

ZERO TO THREE
Research-informed resources on early development, attachment, emotional growth, parenting, and relationships during the earliest years of life.

Association for Play Therapy
Information for families and professionals about play therapy, how it works, and how play can support children’s emotional expression and healing.

Teens and Young Adults

JED Foundation
Mental health and suicide-prevention resources designed to protect emotional health and support teens and young adults through major transitions.

YoungMinds
Practical mental health information for young people and caregivers, including guidance on anxiety, mood, self-esteem, school, and seeking support.

Active Minds
Peer-centered mental health education and advocacy for young adults, with tools for starting conversations and building supportive communities.

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Neurodiversity - Autism, ADHD and Executive Functioning

CHADD
Evidence-based education about ADHD across childhood and adulthood, including diagnosis, treatment, school support, executive functioning, and parenting.

Understood
Practical resources for people who think and learn differently, with guidance for families, adults, and educators on ADHD, executive functioning, and learning differences.

ADDitude
Articles, webinars, expert conversations, and everyday strategies related to ADHD, emotional regulation, relationships, school, work, and daily life.

Autism PDA and Neurodiversity

Autistic Self Advocacy Network
An autistic-led organization offering resources on autism, disability rights, self-advocacy, inclusion, accessibility, and neurodiversity.

Autism Level UP
Neurodiversity-affirming tools for understanding regulation, communication, sensory experiences, and supportive environments.

PDA North America
Education for individuals, families, and professionals seeking to understand PDA and use collaborative, autonomy-supportive, demand-sensitive approaches.

NeuroClastic
Articles and educational resources created by autistic people, centering lived experience, identity, inclusion, and neurodiversity-affirming perspectives.

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Anxiety, Panic, and OCD

Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Educational articles, webinars, and provider resources covering anxiety, panic, depression, stress, and related conditions across the lifespan.

International OCD Foundation
Reliable information about OCD and related disorders, evidence-based treatment, support groups, and directories for finding specialized care.

Child Mind Institute Anxiety Resources
Child- and family-focused guidance on anxiety symptoms, school avoidance, fears, panic, treatment options, and ways caregivers can help.

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Depression and Emotional Wellness

National Institute of Mental Health Depression Resources
Research-based information about depression, including common signs, risk factors, treatment options, and ways to find help.

Families for Depression Awareness
Education that helps families recognize depression and bipolar disorder, communicate supportively, and respond when someone may be at risk.

Mental Health America
Mental health education, screening tools, advocacy, and practical resources for understanding symptoms and identifying next steps for support.

Trauma PTSD and Dissociation

National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Research-informed resources on childhood trauma, traumatic grief, complex trauma, PTSD, and supporting children and families after difficult experiences.

National Center for PTSD
Education about trauma reactions, PTSD, evidence-based treatments, recovery, and ways loved ones can support someone who has experienced trauma.

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Information about traumatic stress, evidence-based treatment, current research, and resources for people affected by trauma.

International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
Educational information and professional resources focused on complex trauma, dissociation, and trauma-related conditions.

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Grief, Loss, and Life Transitions

Dougy Center
Developmentally appropriate resources for children, teens, young adults, and families who are grieving a death.

What’s Your Grief
Accessible articles, courses, and coping resources that recognize the many forms grief can take and the varied ways people adapt to loss.

National Alliance for Children’s Grief
Education and resources for families, communities, and professionals supporting children and adolescents who are grieving.

Modern Loss
Candid stories and practical reflections about grief, identity, relationships, and rebuilding life after loss.

LGBTQIA and Gender Affirming Support

The Trevor Project
Mental health education, crisis support, and affirming resources specifically designed for LGBTQ+ young people.

PFLAG
Education, peer support, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and their families, including guidance for affirming a child or family member.

Gender Spectrum
Resources for creating affirming environments for gender-diverse children and teens at home, at school, and in the community.

Trans Lifeline
Peer support and community resources created by and for transgender people, including support related to identity, well-being, and navigating services.

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Relationships, Couples, and Families

The Gottman Institute
Research-informed articles and tools for strengthening communication, managing conflict, building friendship, and supporting healthy couple relationships.

Love Is Respect
Education and confidential support for young people navigating dating, boundaries, communication, and concerns about unhealthy or abusive relationships.

One Love Foundation
Free education that helps young people recognize healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors and build safer, more respectful connections.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Confidential information, safety-planning tools, and live support for people affected by relationship abuse or domestic violence.

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Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Parenthood

Postpartum Support International
Education, support groups, helplines, and provider directories for mental health concerns during pregnancy, postpartum, pregnancy loss, and parenthood.

Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance
Education about perinatal mental health conditions and advocacy aimed at improving awareness, screening, and access to care.

The Blue Dot Project
Public education and awareness resources that help families recognize perinatal mental health concerns and reduce shame around seeking support.

Return to Zero HOPE
Support, education, and community for people affected by pregnancy loss, stillbirth, neonatal loss, and the grief that can follow.

Eating Body Image and Self Esteem

National Alliance for Eating Disorders
Free support groups, education, referrals, and a helpline for individuals and families affected by eating disorders.

Project HEAL
Treatment-access support, education, and advocacy focused on making eating-disorder care more equitable and accessible.

National Eating Disorders Association
Educational information, screening resources, and guidance for people concerned about eating behaviors, body image, or a loved one.

The Body Is Not an Apology
Articles and learning resources that explore body liberation, self-acceptance, identity, and the social forces that shape body image.

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Chronic Illness, Cancer, and Caregiving

CancerCare
Free counseling, support groups, education, and practical assistance for people with cancer, caregivers, and families.

Cancer Support Community
Emotional support, education, navigation, and community programs for people affected by cancer at any stage.

Caregiver Action Network
Practical education, tools, and peer resources for family caregivers supporting loved ones with chronic or serious health conditions.

The Mighty
A community-based platform featuring lived-experience stories and practical conversations about chronic illness, disability, mental health, and caregiving.

Therapy Skills and Mental Health Education

Therapist Aid
Educational worksheets and exercises addressing coping skills, emotions, anxiety, depression, relationships, mindfulness, and other common therapy topics.

DBT Self Help
Plain-language explanations and exercises for Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Centre for Clinical Interventions
Free evidence-based workbooks on anxiety, depression, perfectionism, self-esteem, worry, procrastination, sleep, and related concerns.

EMDR International Association
Introductory information about EMDR therapy, how it is used, what clients may experience, and how to locate an EMDR-trained professional.

IFS Institute
Articles and educational resources introducing Internal Family Systems and its approach to understanding inner parts, self-compassion, and healing.

School Learning and Advocacy

Wrightslaw
Detailed information about special education law, Individualized Education Programs, Section 504, evaluations, advocacy, and parent rights.

Center for Parent Information and Resources
Plain-language information about disabilities, early intervention, special education, and the network of parent centers available across the United States.

PEATC
Virginia-based training and support for families navigating special education, disability services, transition planning, and educational advocacy.

Northern Virginia and DC Community Support

NAMI Northern Virginia
Local education, peer support, family programs, and community resources for people affected by mental health conditions in Northern Virginia.

Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services
City services related to behavioral health, developmental disabilities, substance use, youth and family support, aging, housing, and public assistance.

Fairfax Falls Church Community Services Board
Public behavioral health, developmental disability, crisis, and substance-use services for residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.

Arlington Behavioral Healthcare
Public mental health and substance-use services for Arlington residents, including same-day access, crisis support, and community-based care.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community
Community programs, peer support, health and wellness resources, and social connection for LGBTQ+ people throughout the DC region.

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Crisis and Immediate Support

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Free, confidential crisis support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, or mental health and substance-use concerns. Call or text 988.

Crisis Text Line
Free crisis support by text message. In the United States, text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

The Trevor Project Crisis Services
Confidential crisis intervention and suicide-prevention support for LGBTQ+ young people by phone, text, or online chat.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Confidential 24-hour support, information, and referrals for people concerned about child abuse or seeking help for themselves or a child.

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
Confidential support and information for people affected by sexual violence, available by phone and online chat.