Resources

Here is a collection of websites, articles and information to peruse.

  • CRISIS & IMMEDIATE SUPPORT

    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

      Call or text 988 for 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention

    • The Trevor Project

      1-866-488-7386 - Crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth under 25

    • Trans Lifeline

      877-565-8860 - Peer support hotline for transgender people

    • LGBTQ National Hotline

      1-888-843-4564 - Confidential support for LGBTQ+ individuals

      LGBTQ+ RESOURCES

      NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

    • PFLAG

      Support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and families

    • GLAAD

    • Media advocacy and education to promote LGBTQ+ acceptance

    • Human Rights Campaign

    • Civil rights organization advocating for LGBTQ+ equality

      LOCAL ORANGE COUNTY RESOURCES

    • LGBTQ Center OC

      Community center serving Orange County's LGBTQ+ population

    • Pride Center San Diego

      Programs and services for the LGBTQ+ community in Southern California

      TRANSGENDER-SPECIFIC SUPPORT

    • WPATH

      Professional standards for transgender healthcare

    • Gender Spectrum

      Resources for gender-diverse children, teens, and families

      POLYAMORY & ETHICAL NON-MONOGAMY

      EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

    • More Than Two

      Comprehensive guide to ethical non-monogamy and polyamory

    • Polyamory.com

      Community forum and resources for polyamorous individuals

    • Unicorns-R-Us

      Education about couple privilege and healthy poly dynamics

      LOCAL COMMUNITIES

    • Meetup Groups

      Search for local polyamory and non-monogamy meetups in Orange County

    • FetLife

      Social network for kink and polyamory communities (18+ only)

      KINK & BDSM EDUCATION

      SAFETY & EDUCATION

    • Kink Academy

      Educational videos and workshops on BDSM practices

    • Society of Janus

      BDSM education and community organization in San Francisco

    • The Kink Aware Professionals Directory

      Find kink-aware healthcare and mental health providers

    • CONSENT & COMMUNICATION

    • Consent Culture

      Resources on consent, boundaries, and communication

    • The Nice Guy™ Syndrome

      Article on healthy relationship dynamics and communication

      MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

      SUPPORT GROUPS

    • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

      Support groups and education for mental health conditions

    • Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

      Peer support groups for mood disorders

      BOOKS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

      LGBTQ+ IDENTITY & RELATIONSHIPS

    • "The Velvet Rage" by Alan Downs

      Exploring gay men's struggle with shame and authenticity

    • "Transgender 101" by Nicholas Teich

      A simple guide to understanding transgender identity

    • "The Gender Book" by Mel Reiff Hill

      An illustrated guide to gender identity and expression

      POLYAMORY & NON-MONOGAMY

    • "The Ethical Slut" by Janet Hardy & Dossie Easton

      Classic guide to ethical non-monogamy

    • "Polysecure" by Jessica Fern

      Attachment theory and polyamorous relationships

    • "Designer Relationships" by Mark Michaels & Patricia Johnson

      Creating custom relationship agreements

      KINK & BDSM

    • "The New Topping Book" & "The New Bottoming Book" by Dossie Easton & Janet Hardy

      Essential guides for BDSM dynamics and practices

    • "Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns" by Philip Miller & Molly Devon

      Comprehensive BDSM handbook for beginners and experienced players

    Please note: These resources are provided for educational and support purposes. They do not replace professional therapy or medical care. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact a crisis helpline or emergency services immediately.

    For therapy services in the Costa Mesa area, please visit www.TheNestCounselingCenter.com or call for an appointment.

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