Helpful Links

• www.aacc.net

This site provides detailed information about the AACC, how to join, and what is involved in being a member (a list of demographics of the members is included). Benefits of membership are included (free newsletters and counsel tapes, reduced fees for registration at conferences, and liability insurance for practicum and internships are just a few). A Counseling Resource Catalog is available with reduced prices for members on many counseling books and materials. This organization and website is geared toward professionals, religious leaders, and lay counselors, and supplies information that promotes the "highest standard of counselor training, facilitates integration of counseling principles and biblical theology, and encourages excellence in counseling worldwide.

• www.psych.org

The American Psychiatric Association is a medical specialty society recognized world-wide. Its 40,500 U.S. and international physicians specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illnesses and substance use disorders." Goals include advocating for the patients and the profession; supporting education, training, and career development; defining and supporting professional values; and enhancing the scientific basis of psychiatric care. This website provides a wealth of information regarding medical issues, mental health, and resources available to the public or professional. There are numerous articles and updates on the latest research and medical information. A few of the topics include: how to set up an online practice, Disaster Psychiatry, a media advisory on Borderline Personality Disorder, AID's Resource Center, Social Anxiety Disorder Awareness, and links to healthindex.org (consumer information from medical specialties).

• www.apa.org

The information in this site is geared towards three different groups: 1) psychologists, educators, and professionals; 2) the public; and 3) students.

In the first section, pertaining mainly to professionals there is information regarding membership, benefits, how to join, insurance, annual meetings and conferences, ethics (principles and code of conduct), employment services, and the credential process through the APA College of Professional Psychology. There are also helpful tools including a section on books and journals, an encyclopedia of psychology, and access to the PsychINFO Abstract database for a small fee. For the public, the site includes a list of referrals. Students have available to them employment opportunities, resources, books, and other tools. Each section provides education and research including up-to-date news on important research findings.

• www.aacap.org

This site exists to provide assistance to, "parents and families in understanding developmental, behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders affecting children and adolescents". Incorporated are articles on current research and news in the media (gun control, Surgeon General's report on mental health, children and depression, Elian Gonzalez, etc.). Available is help in locating a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist as well as up-to-date information on child and adolescent development processes and issues. Other topics of interest include: clinical practice, journals and publications, research, meetings, award opportunities, training, employment, legislation, and links to other professional organizations.

• www.nmha.org

NMHA is the "oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness." Their website is one which, along with their goal as an organization, "works to improve the mental health of all Americans." NMHA provides assistance in locating affiliates of NMHA in your community and state. A portion of the website contains newsworthy material such as, articles pertaining to mental health, legislative alerts (presidential budget, laws and bills to be passed, etc.), and an information site with numbers, fact sheets, pamphlets, books and newsletters, and program and advocacy resources. Other points of interest include a depression screening and information on depression, resources and job listings, on-line chat (coming soon), training and education opportunities, and information on their discussion boards and how to become involved.

• www.adaa.org

"The ADAA promotes the prevention and cure of anxiety disorders and works to improve the lives of all people who suffer from them. The association is made up of professionals who conduct research and treat anxiety disorders and individuals who have a personal or general interest in learning more about such disorders." This site includes detailed information regarding each of the different anxiety disorders (GAD, OCD, PTSD, Panic Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, and Specific Phobia), as well as a section on children and adolescents. Available information includes self-help tests, different medications, treatment options, how to find help, and helping a family member. Also included are consumer resources, a bookstore, events, and a chat room.

• www.autism.org

This web page was, "developed to provide information on various topics related to or about autism." For those who desire general information regarding autism, there is an overview written in 6 different languages. Subgroups that are related to autism are mentioned and include Asperger Syndrome, Apraxia, ADD, Rett Syndrome and others. Under the "Issues" section there is information on the DSM-IV, learning styles, self-injurious behavior, social behavior, and Tardive Dyskinesia among other things. An extensive section on "Interventions" is included and contains such topics as Allergies & Food Sensitivities, Auditory Integration Training, Feingold Diet, Music Therapy and Language, Relaxation & Visual Imagery Techniques. Exclusive interviews (Temple Grandin and others) are included as well as a Sibling Center.

• www.chadd.org

"CHADD works to improve the lives of people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder through education, advocacy and support." Included in this site is general information regarding ADD or AD/HD (fact sheets and frequently asked questions), legislation, Attention! Magazine, news releases, research studies, links, and available resources.

• www.ndmda.org

This web site contains an incredible amount of information regarding depressive illness and its symptoms (these disorders are expressed in different terms, some of them being mood disorders, depression and bipolar or manic-depression). Among the many sites there is information on diagnosis, treatment and support, family education, education materials, videos, suicide, success stories, and clinical trials. The web site of NDMDA includes web broadcasts of "The Infinite Mind", a weekly public radio show focusing on the art and science of the human mind and spirit, behavioral issues, and mental health. Also of interest is a depression screening and symptoms, a site on intimacy and depression, where to go for help, news releases (i.e. risks of smoking during pregnancy increasing the chance of psychiatric disorders), books available to order, and how to start a support group.

• www.depression.org

This basic, easy-to-follow, web site is devoted entirely to depressive illness, educating those who are interested, and providing support for those suffering from a depressive illness. Each section is short and easy to understand. Included are sections on what is a depressive illness, stressing that it is an "illness" that is very treatable; the destructive nature of depression; causes of depression; symptoms of depression and manic-depression; successful forms of treatment; how to get help; and tips to feel better.

• www.ptsd.va.gov

The web site for this organization is extensive, providing a huge amount of information and resources on PTSD. Specific information is geared toward veterans and their families, trauma survivors, women, students, clinicians, researchers, librarians, and journalists. Especially noteworthy is the PILOTS database, an electronic index to the world's literature on PTSD and related disorders that offers bibliographical data and abstracts for over 16,000 publications. Also included in this site are Education/Training opportunities, Quarterly research and clinical magazines, a Resource Center, and a Disaster Guidebook for Clinicians and Administrators.

• www.pendulum.org

The Pendulum web site is an informative site for people with bipolar or those just wanting more information about the disorder. There are FAQ's and a link to 1-800-therapist.com to assist in finding professional help. Diagnostic criteria is covered as well as treatment and different alternatives. Also included are articles related to manic-depressive illness, writings and poems by people with bipolar or those who have friends and family with the disorder, stressors and how to identify them, tips for living, and a humorous section that includes affirmations and silly suggestions.

• www.jimhopper.com

This is the individual web page of Dr. Jim Hopper, Ph.D., and includes over 50 pages of information. Specifically, "This Web page documents scientific progress by those who study child abuse memories:

1. A substantial body of empirical evidence of amnesia and delayed recall for abuse exists now.

2. Significant theoretical progress has already occurred, particularly in the shift from a predominant reliance on the construct of repression to increasing recognition that the construct of dissociation better helps us describe and explain much (though certainly not all) of the evidence". Along with the vast array of information on current research regarding recovered memories, Dr. Hopper includes important foundational information and definitions to help understand recovered memories; these include Theoretical Constructs, Psychological Constructs such as repression and dissociation, and Empirical Evidence.

3. Dr. Hopper provides a long review of warnings and specifics (Words of Caution and Preface), regarding the statistics and research he has done. Methodological Issues are covered (how to understand the research), the Issue of Memory, and Additional Resources such as books, hotline numbers, organizations, and Web Sites.

• www.twhj.com

This site is designed for counselors and psychotherapists "who have experienced the devastation of traumatic experiences, including child abuse." Some of the highlights of this site are chat rooms, a forum with a broad range of topics in which to interact with others, articles and book reviews, a newsletter, and how to find a therapist and crisis numbers.

• www.nimh.hih.gov

This web site is packed with information pertaining specifically to research in the mental health field, including both neuroscience and clinical studies. One of the main highlights of this site is the vast array of news-related material. There is "Breaking News" that reports the latest information on policies and research. Specific sites are geared for the public, practitioners, or researchers and include such things as fact sheets on one of many disorders, statistics, educational materials, and reports on specific topics related to mental health. There is also data on workshops and conferences to attend, as well as information on grants, career development sites, and training opportunities.

• www.nami.org

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), is a, "self-help and family advocacy organization solely dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses". This extensive web site provides information on a variety of topics. General and specific information on mental illness and the NAMI organization is available, including legislation issues, research, news, medical articles, and fact sheets. Book reviews are on-line and a bookstore to order pamphlets or books on a variety of topics. One may find NAMI affiliates in any state, receive information about the 5-year nationwide Campaign to End Discrimination, the Family Education Program, or the volunteer assisted Helpline that is available for Information, Referrals, or Support (but not counseling, legal or medical advice, or referrals to a professional).

• www.schizophrenia.com

Formerly NAMI/FAMI, this organization's new name is NAMI/NYC. They consist of "family members, or people with, neurobiological disorders ("NBD", formerly known as 'mental' illnesses)" who seek to help other families who are affected by a mental illness. Information is available on disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, bi-polar, borderline and OCD. The main categories of information are Diagnosis, Medicines and Treatment, Rehabilitation and Day Treatment, Coping and Managing Tips, First Person Accounts and Advice, Policy and Advocacy Papers, and Research.

• www.human-nature.com

The Online Dictionary of Mental Health is "a global information resource and research tool, compiled by Internet mental health resource users for Internet mental health resource users covering all of the disciplines contributing to our understanding of mental health." Instead of definitions, "there are links to many sites offering different viewpoints on issues in mental health, which are accessible using A-Z links, or a subject index." Also of interest is a Mental Health Search Engine that "provides the facility to search over one hundred other major sources of mental health information, including many organizations which do not have search engines on their own web sites." This useful site also includes a list of bestseller mental health books, a link to Amazon.com, and discussion/debates on such topics as the validity of psychoanalysis.

• www.psychcentral.com/resources

"Regularly maintained by John and an assistant, it is one of the Net's best annotated guides to the most useful Websites, newsgroups, and mailing lists online today in mental health, psychology, social work, and psychiatry." This site provides links to 1216 mental health resources under a variety of topics including Abuse, Articles & Essays, Attention Deficit Disorder, Books, Depression, Medical Disease Support, Parents & Children, Personality, Relationships, Health & Wellness, and Licensing Information. Also available are book reviews, live chats, forums, and a link to Amazon.com.

• www.oblpct.state.or.us

This practical site contains useful things such as information about licensure, including graduate information, degree programs, and examination. Also available online are Applications for licensure, How to file a complaint, FAQ's, Guidelines/Publications (Professional Disclosure Statements, How to register as an Intern, and Child abuse reporting laws), Information requests, Laws and Rules, and Related links.

• www.counseling.org

The ACA website offers many things including state licensure and certification information, the ACA code of ethics and standards of practice, National Counselor Examination Preparation information, journals, and a resource catalog of publications, home studies, and videotapes. Also available through the website are Listserve -- helping to connect graduate students around the country, CACREP - an online directory of accredited master's and doctoral programs in the U.S. and Canada, CTOnline - an internet news source for professional counselors, and informative legislative information.

• www.nbcc.org

NBCC focuses on "promoting quality counseling through certification," thus a large part of this website is dedicated to achieving that end. Information centers on National Certification with information on State Credentialing as well. Included are such things as requirements, benefits of becoming nationally certified, examinations, ethical codes, and study materials. Certain forms such as applications, references, and other documents may be that may be printed off the site. Other credentials offered by the NBCC are Approved Clinical Supervisor, Certified Clinical Mental Health counselor, Certified National School Counselor, and Master Addictions Counselor. An online service is accessible for National Certified Counselors.