Resources

Recommended Resources for Mental Health, Mindfulness, and Building a Practice.

A curated list of apps, websites, books, and tools to support your growth beyond the therapy room.

Apps &Websites

Improve Your Day-to-Day With These Mindfulness Tools

  • A popular app offering science-backed meditations, sleep tools, and focus exercises. Great for beginners looking to learn.

    Link: https://www.headspace.com

  • Features guided meditations, soundscapes, and bedtime stories to reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Ideal for busy professionals or families.

  • A comprehensive meditation app offering a vast library of free and premium content, including guided meditations, courses, music, and community features. It's designed to help users improve their mental well-being, reduce stress, and enhance sleep

  • Center for Mindful Self Compassion- a non-profit organization committed to building an equitable, inclusive, and caring global community supporting the practice of self-compassion. Offers courses, guided meditations, and free online community circles of practice. https://centerformsc.org/

    Brown University Mindfulness Center - School of Professional Studies-a comprehensive offering of a wide variety of evidence-based mindfulness programs and resources for beginners, teachers in training, and those who are certified, as well as custom programs for organizations. https://professional.brown.edu/executive/mindfulness

    UCLA Mindful Mindfulness Education Center at UCLA Health - (provides innovative, evidence-based mindfulness programs that empower individuals and institutions to manage stress, enhance health, and cultivate inner and outer peace. Through educational programs, we strive to inspire transformative growth and contribute to a culture of compassion and wellness for all). https://www.uclahealth.org/uclamindful

Organizations

Trusted Mental Health Resources

  • A nonprofit run by and for autistic people, ASAN promotes disability rights, neurodiversity, and self-advocacy through policy advocacy and public education.

    Link: https://autisticadvocacy.org/

  • National resource on ADHD offering science-based information, local support groups, advocacy, and educational materials for individuals and families.

    Link: https://chadd.org/

  • The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, NAMI provides education, peer support, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness.

    Link:  https://www.nami.org/

  • Leading organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders through resources, treatment options, and prevention education.

    Link: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Support

Books

Feed your mind and heart with insightful reads that support healing, growth, and connection.

Meditation/Retreat Centers

  • Located in Northern California, Spirit Rock offers silent meditation retreats and mindfulness-based teachings rooted in Insight (Vipassana) meditation and Buddhist tradition. Ideal for individuals seeking personal growth, emotional healing, and spiritual development, their programs support mental clarity, compassion, and stress reduction through guided meditation, dharma talks, and mindfulness practice in nature.

    Link: www.spiritrock.org

  • Located near Santa Cruz, CA, this donation-based center offers silent Vipassana retreats rooted in Buddhist teachings. Programs focus on mindfulness meditation, dharma talks, and walking practice, fostering deep inner awareness and emotional healing in a supportive, volunteer-run environment.

    Link: www.insightretreatcenter.org

  • Perched on the cliffs of Big Sur, California, Esalen Institute is a renowned retreat center offering transformative workshops in mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and Gestalt therapy. With natural hot springs, organic gardens, and a focus on holistic healing, Esalen fosters personal growth and spiritual exploration in a breathtaking coastal setting.

    Link: www.esalen.org

  • Located in downtown Oakland, EBMC offers donation-based mindfulness and meditation programs rooted in Buddhist and other wisdom traditions. With a focus on radical inclusivity, social justice, and accessibility, the center provides safe spaces for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities to engage in healing and spiritual growth.

    Link: www.eastbaymeditation.org

  • Nestled in Marin County near Muir Beach, Green Gulch Farm Zen Center (Sōryu-ji) offers Soto Zen meditation retreats, dharma talks, and residential practice programs. The center integrates mindfulness with sustainable living through its organic farm and traditional Japanese tea house, providing a holistic environment for spiritual growth and ecological awareness.

    Link: https://www.sfzc.org/locations/green-gulch-farm

  • Located in San Francisco's Hayes Valley, City Center (Beginner's Mind Temple) offers daily Soto Zen meditation, Dharma talks, and residential practice programs. This urban temple provides a supportive environment for mindfulness, spiritual growth, and community engagement. Programs include zazen instruction, one-day sittings, and multi-day sesshins, welcoming practitioners at all levels.

    Link: https://www.sfzc.org/locations/city-center

  • Located in San Jose, CA, this welcoming sangha offers weekly Vipassana (Insight) meditation sessions rooted in Buddhist teachings. Practices focus on mindfulness, breath awareness, and cultivating compassion and wisdom. The community meets at the Friends Meeting House and occasionally hosts teachers from other traditions, such as Zen.

    Link: https://sanjoseinsight.org/

  • Located in downtown Santa Cruz, Insight Santa Cruz is a community-based center offering mindfulness meditation rooted in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. Programs include silent retreats, dharma talks, and classes focused on cultivating wisdom, compassion, and ethical living. The center emphasizes inclusivity and supports practitioners at all levels on the path to awakening.

    Link: www.insightsantacruz.org

  • Located in Redwood City, CA, IMC is a community-based, non-residential center offering teachings in Vipassana (Insight) meditation rooted in Theravāda Buddhism. Guided by Gil Fronsdal and Andrea Fella, IMC provides donation-based programs including mindfulness meditation sessions, dharma talks, and retreats. The center emphasizes inclusivity, offering resources for diverse communities and fostering spiritual growth through ethical living and compassionate awareness.

    Link: www.insightmeditationcenter.org

  • SF Insight offers donation-based Insight (Vipassana) meditation sessions, Dharma talks, and retreats rooted in Theravāda Buddhism. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, the community provides both online and in-person gatherings, including a weekly Women's Sangha and events centered on mindfulness, compassion, and social justice.

    Link: www.sfinsight.org 

  • Based in San Francisco, WITHIN Meditation offers live online mindfulness classes, day-long silent retreats, and wellness circles designed to support emotional resilience, stress reduction, and personal growth. Their programs draw from various wisdom traditions, providing accessible, guided meditation sessions for individuals at all levels. In-person retreats are held at serene locations like Green Gulch Farm, offering immersive experiences to deepen practice. WITHIN also provides corporate mindfulness workshops to enhance workplace well-being.

    Link: www.withinmeditation.com  

  • Located in San Rafael, CA, Marin Sangha is a welcoming Insight (Vipassana) meditation community led by Phillip Moffitt. Emphasizing mindfulness, Dharma practice, and spiritual growth, the group offers weekly gatherings featuring guided meditation, mindful movement, and Dharma talks. Open to all levels, Marin Sangha fosters a supportive environment for integrating Buddhist teachings into daily life.

    Link: http://marinsangha.org

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