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This website is maintained by a Psychologist, and I notice lots of places on the internet people volunteer their personal mental health concerns and issues such as feeling lost, depressed, dealing with anxiety and panic, even sometimes hearing voices and hallucinations. While I can't offer people specific, personalized advice online and outside a treatment relationship, its probably for the best since you should be careful who you accept advice from online including someone who claims to be a licensed Psychologist (I'm Ohio License #5979, though, just to reassure you related to that little joke). There are a lot of supportive and helpful comments online, as well as a number of useful resources exlpaining things like what to expect from counseling, the potential benefits of psychotherapy and psychotropic medication, explanations related to potential side effects and other concerns which of course you could bring to a Doctor or therapist if need be. Ultimately you are the expert on how you are feeling, but sometimes a little help in "helping yourself" can go a long way. There are lots of treatment options out there and many times it has been found that a combination of counseling/psychotherapy and medication has produced the best long-term results. You can discuss medication options with your family doctor who may or may not want to refer you to a specialist such as a Psychiatrist. The Psychiatrist is the one who gives drugs whereas the Psychologist typically doesn't prescribe medicine. Sometimes you have to check your ego at the door, since there is hope and you can feel better with treatment.

There are lots of ways to find a counselor or therapist, you could go to the American Psychological Associations Psychologist Locator for example, or call 1-800-964-2000. The operator will use your zip code to locate and connect you with the referral service of the state psychological association. Your state psychological association's website might also have an online search service. In addition, there is always the yellowpages. Also, if you have insurance, your insurance company may have a list of providers they would prefer that you go to. if you attend a school, your school would likely have a counseling center or counselor who could talk to you, answer questions or provide referrals to people in your area. If money may be an issue you may wish to contact your local community mental health center or perhaps a board of mental health, etc. which may be able to give you referrals to agencies who may be able to provide free or reduced cost services to you if you qualify. If this is an emergency such as not being sure you're able to keep from committing suicide, you always have the option of going to an Emergency Room or crisis center, calling 911 or a crisis hotline.

Resources for finding and understanding Psychological treatment

A list of Suicide Hotlines, including national numbers and numbers broken down by state.

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network They have an online sexual assault hotline as well as 1-800-656-HOPE.

The American Psychological Association has an APA Help Center with articles and information related to a lot of the experiences we face such as coping with grief, traumatic experiences as welll as articles like- Finding Help: How to Find Help Through Psychotherapy, Finding Help: How to Choose a Psychotherapist, Insurance: Ask Your Employer's Benefits Manager About Your Health Care Coverage, Medicaid and Psychology and Mental Health Parity: Does Your Insurance Cover Mental Health Services?

The American Psychiatric Association lists a numbe of resources on its website, including a parents guide to medication for ADHD and Depression.

What doesn't google do? It looks like they have a directory of support groups online, though you could also look in your local paper and other local advertising, or look for an organization such as AA, NA, AlAnon, Alateen, etc.

AA (alcoholics anonymous)

National Alliance on Mental Illness CHADD Children and Adults with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder.

Child and adolescent Bipolar Foundation

National Institute of Mental Health article about Bipolar Disorder and an article from NIMH about Depression

Anxiety Disorders Association of America

The VA provides us with The National Center for PTSD

Still wondering what counseling is all about? I noticed a nice page from a counseling center with a nice, basic description of some of the things that go on at this What is counseling? page

Still interested? It doesn't hurt to read more

Check out books at your local library, or you can find great deals such as books for depression or anxiety and panic attacks at amazon or eBay.


This is A World Wide Web resource from Psychologist Dr. Todd Finnerty who publishes World Wide Mental Health, a site filled with a growing number of resources for individuals interested in mental health issues including both the general public and mental health professionals such as counselors, social workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and nurses. Any information provided by Dr. Finnerty does not come in the form of a professional or doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Finnerty's websites or those of others are not intended as personal communication to any specific individual. This is not a solicitation to become a patient of Dr. Finnerty, Dr. Finnerty does not currently engage in consultation to individuals or telepsychology. E-mail is not necessarily confidential and no professional relationship will be established via e-mail. Dr. Finnerty will not offer personal advice to individuals over e-mail or other electronic means. If there is an emergency please contact your local emergency room, crisis center or call 911. Get referrals to Psychologists in your area by calling 1-800-964-2000


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