<![CDATA[Aimée Lim-Miller, LICSW - Resources]]>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 03:16:32 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Take a Mental Health Test]]>Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:22:43 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/take-a-mental-health-test
From the Mental Health America website, this online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.

Click on the button to your right for more information.  -->
]]><![CDATA[AAPI Mental Health Resources]]>Fri, 26 May 2023 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/aapi-mental-health-resources ]]><![CDATA[988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline]]>Sat, 04 Feb 2023 00:55:59 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline
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The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
988 FAQ
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]]><![CDATA[Dr. Tracy Marks]]>Fri, 02 Sep 2022 15:29:34 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/dr-tracy-marksPicture
Psychiatrist,  Dr. Tracey Marks, has a wealth of information, short videos and insight to better help you understand yourself, your symptoms and helpful tools and resources.  Check out her Youtube channel "Mental Health Doesn't Have To Be a Mystery" HERE

​Many of my clients present with generalized anxiety concerns, her series on ANXIETY is helpful to get the basic understanding of what is happening with your body and mind.  Link HERE
]]><![CDATA[Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain "Don't Flip Your Lid"]]>Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:15:21 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/dr-dan-siegels-hand-model-of-the-brain-dont-flip-your-lidEver wonder what happens in our brain when we are dealing with intense emotions?  Here is a great clip showing Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain.  
]]><![CDATA[BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, People of Color] Mental Health Support]]>Thu, 10 Sep 2020 16:32:08 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/bipoc-black-indigenous-people-of-color-mental-health-supportI'm sharing the helpful resources put together my MGH Psychiatry Services here.  
Online Support Groups
  • Therapy for Black Girls: Online space founded by Dr. Joy Bradford dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls, including a free podcast aimed at making mental health topics accessible
  • Talkspace Support Group: Free therapist-led support group for coping with racial trauma
  • Sister Afya Online Sister Support Group: Support group for learning from other women and learning life skills to improve mental well-being ($10/session fee but can contact booking@sistaafya.com if fee is prohibitive)
  • Ethel’s Club: Paid membership-based virtual community with classes, live events and wellness resources for promoting wellbeing in people of color 


Self-Guided Virtual Resources 
Apps and MaterialsReadsOther Resource Compilations 
]]><![CDATA[Mental Health Links]]>Fri, 04 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/mental-health-links
The following links are listed to provide you with additional online mental health care information and counseling resources.

Addiction and Recovery
Alcoholics Anonymous
Center for On-Line Addiction
Drug and Alcohol Recovery Guides
Infographic: The Twelve Steps of Recovery
Infographic: Drug Abuse and your Body: Exposed
SAMHSA's Substance Abuse/Addiction
SAMHSA's Treatment and Recovery
Web of Addictions

Anxiety Disorders
Answers to Your Questions About Panic Disorder
National Center for PTSD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Mayo Clinic
Calm Clinic
Tools for Anxiety
Anxiety BC

Associations & Institutes
National Association of Social Workers
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
American Counseling Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
Association for Psychological Science
Center for Mental Health Services
National Institute of Mental Health
Mental Health America
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADDA - Attention Deficit Disorder Association
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, NIMH
Born to Explore: The Other Side of ADD/ADHD

BIPOC Support
Developing Positive Racial Identity
Melanin and Mental Health
NAMI- Black/African American
NAMI- Hispanic/Latinx
NAMi- AAPI
NAMI- Indigenous/Native
Students of Color Support Page
Asians Do Therapy
AAKOMA Project


Child Abuse and Domestic Violence
Childhelp USA®
SAMHSA's Children and Families
SAMHSA's Protection and Advocacy
Questions and Answers about Memories of Childhood Abuse
The National Domestic Violence Hotline Website

Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Depression
Bipolar Disorder News - Pendulum.org
Depression and How Therapy Can Help
Depression Screening
Depression Test, Symptoms of Depression, Signs of Depression

Developmental Disorders
Asperger's Disorder
NeuroWeb
Yale Autism Program

Diagnosis
DSM-IV-TR: Diagnoses and Criteria

Dissociation and Traumatic Stress
Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute

Eating Disorders
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Something Fishy

Gender Identity
APA Transgender Information
Transgender Resources

Journals & Magazines
ADHD Report
Anxiety, Stress and Coping
Autism
Childhood
Contemporary Hypnosis
Dementia
Depression and Anxiety
Drug and Alcohol Review
Dyslexia
Early Child Development and Care
Eating Disorders
Educational Assessment
Journal of Gambling Studies
Journal of Happiness Studies
Journal of Mental Health and Aging
Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy
Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Language and Cognitive Processes
Loss, Grief & Care
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Metaphor and Symbol
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Parenting
Personal Relationships
Personality and Individual Differences
Psychiatric Bulletin
Psychology of Men & Masculinity
Psychology Today
Stress and Health
Studies in Gender and Sexuality
Substance Abuse
Trauma, Violence & Abuse

Mental Health Care General Links
CounsellingResource.com
Internet Mental Health
Let’s Talk Facts, APA
Mental Health Counselor Resources, About.com
Mental Help Net
PsychCentral.com
Web Sites You Can Trust, Medical Library Association

Obesity/ Weight Management
Let's Move!
Kids Eat Right
Understanding Obesity
Binge-Eating Disorder
Body Image Movement

Personality Disorders
Mental Help Net - Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders - Focus Adolescent Counselor Services

Suicide Awareness and Hotlines
SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
Suicide: Read This First

Additional Mental Health Care & Counseling Resources
Disaster/Trauma
HIV/AIDS
Interpretation of Dreams
Keirsey (Myers-Briggs) Temperament Sorter
Signs of Menopause, Symptoms of Menopause


Note: Not responsible for the content, claims or representations of the listed sites.


]]><![CDATA[Digging Deep for Self Care]]>Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:22:46 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/digging-deep-for-self-careThis vulnerable and unpredictable time we are living is testing us in many ways. We are all in different situations, negotiating an assortment of challenges. For some, the fear of scarcity and daily uncertainty is not a novel experience, for others it challenges the safety net they’ve been privileged to not even think about until now.  However, this time we are experiencing what Brené Brown calls “an experiment of collective vulnerability”-- one in which directions haven’t been written for. We are narrating this time as we adapt to this new reality of living during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

I’ve been digging large holes in my backyard, 3 feet deep and 3 feet wide. The soil is a rich brown, earthworms pop through as the shovel awakens their winter slumber. I dig until I hit the sandy layer, an indication that I’ve dug deep enough.  I battle with the many roots, old, gnarly and some sustaining the large oak tree nearby. A row of deep green arborvitae trees await a spot in their new home where their roots can settle in and grow. 
The “stay home” order allows me the time for this home project, sooner than planned.  When feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I go outside, take a walk, dig in the garden, take photos of the emerging blossoms or sit, take deep breaths of fresh air and listen to the orchestra of sounds around me. This is what “self-care” looks like to me as a middle-aged adult and parent.  

There are many suggestions out there for self-care these days.  I challenge us to take this time to appreciate the variety of ways people are coping; the small moments, the simple and the undiscovered.  Below is a list of collected “self-care” recommendations and links to exercises and resources. 

Physical Care: 
  • ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) :: Change out of your PJs, bathe regularly, brush your teeth, make your bed, perform daily grooming.
  • Nutrition:: When possible, eat healthy well-balanced meals
  • Sleep :: Stick to a regular sleep schedule if you can. Now is a time to catch up on sleep.  If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, try a mediation app (e.g. Calm, Headspace, Insight) Call your PCP if you have significant sleep problems.
  • Move your body ::  Whether you are able to access the outdoors or quarantined. Try to get daily movement or stretching into your routine. [e.g. walk the stairs in your building/house, turn up the music and dance, use free online resources for workouts, yoga, etc.] 
  • Get fresh air when possible ::  If you can’t access outdoor space, open a window and breath in.
  • Monitor self-medicating behavior. Limit alcohol and drug consumption. 
  • Tune into your body: Where are you feeling the stress?  Try these: Body Scan Meditation and Progressive Muscle Relaxation
  • Safety :: For those facing challenges of physical or emotional safety, contact a trusted adult or friend.   24/7 Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)  

Mental Health Care: 
  • Validate your feelings. It’s ok to have all different feelings right now.  This makes us human!
  • Create a daily routine and insert gratitude for the day. 
  • Limit news intake that may exacerbate an already anxious thought pattern. [e.g. 30 minutes of news in the morning and night]
  • Practice breathe regulation such as Box breathing or Coherent Breath
  • Mindfulness and meditation exercises to help keep us in the present and ground us. [e.g. Five senses meditation] 
  • Self-compassion and kindness to others.  Sometimes we can be our worse self when we are afraid-- practice being brave and remember that we are all navigating this scary time without a script to go by.
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.  Play games, write a letter, video chat, phone calls, text, host a virtual gathering or movie watch, etc.
  • Learn something new: Explore your creativity (art, music, dance, comedy, write, make a short movie, sing  etc.).  
  • Brain dump:  When you have a lot of thoughts or feelings swirling around, take a piece of paper and write out all the thoughts.  Just write it out, you can even rip it up later, no one needs to see it.
  • Helpful Resources:  
    • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Referral Helpline: 1-877-726-4727, 
    • Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255  
    • Grief Hotline, 
    • Therapist Referrals (many provide Telehealth)
    • Parent/Guardian Support link here
    • 24/7 Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 

​All this is to say these are stressful, unpredictable times and you need to take care of yourself.  Remember there is no correct way to be feeling right now, what you feel is what you feel. It’s helpful to recognize that your feelings aren’t who you are. (“I feel angry” vs. “I am angry”)  Within your control are some of the choices you can make to care for yourself in this challenging time.  In the meantime, while there is a break in the rain, I’ll take some deep breaths, go back outside with my shovel and continue digging in the dirt.  

Stay safe out there.

]]><![CDATA[January 13th, 2020]]>Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:38:36 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/january-13th-2020
]]><![CDATA[BODY IMAGE MOVEMENT- EMBRACE]]>Fri, 21 Apr 2017 13:18:29 GMThttps://www.balancingwell.com/resources/body-image-movement-embrace"My body is not an ornament. It is the vehicle to my dreams" - TB

There is a powerful documentary that all women should see. EMBRACE, directed and produced by Taryn Brumfitt. Taryn is the founder of the Body Image Movement and an activist.

There is an upcoming screening of EMBRACE in the Boston area:
April 30, 2017 at 1 PM, Showcase Super Lux, Brookline, MA

Please order tickets here
The documentary may also be viewed by purchasing or renting on iTunes.

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