Support Groups:  

There is so much wisdom and healing we can gain from sharing with other people who are facing similar challenges in life. Support groups are confidential and free. They are not therapy, but they can be therapeutic. 

Co-Dependents Anonymous  "is a fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships. The only requirement for membership is a desire for healthy and fulfilling relationships." This link includes a link to meetings nationwide.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance is dedicated to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. In addition to support groups, their website has a lot of useful information.

Emotions Anonymous is a 12-step program similar to AA for people working to recover from various emotional difficulties. Many people have found this program enormously helpful for dealing with depression, anger, broken or strained relationships, grief, anxiety, low self-esteem, panic, abnormal fears, resentment, jealousy, guilt, despair, fatigue, tension, boredom, loneliness, withdrawal, obsessive and negative thinking, worry, compulsive behavior and other issues. This site includes a meeting locator link.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill  NAMI is "a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders." The website includes links to state and local contacts.

NOAH  New York Online Access to Health "provides access to high quality full-text consumer health information in English and Spanish that is accurate, timely, relevant and unbiased." This is a huge collection of links to information and support specific to numerous health issues.

Parenting & Family:

Divorce:  Traumatic as divorce is, the adversarial law system often makes the process more destructive and costly than necessary. The Collaborative Law (CL) movement has found a better way. Here is also support for people rebuilding their lives. 

Alliance of Collaborative Family Law Attorneys  (Houston area) "The Alliance of Collaborative Family Law Attorneys is comprised of independent, unaffiliated family law practitioners who are dedicated to resolving divorce and family law disputes, without bloodshed" 

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals The IACP site is another great resource for information and referrals in collaborative law.

DivorceCare  "It's a series of support groups and seminars conducted by people who understand what you are experiencing. Most importantly, you'll learn how to deal with the pain of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life." There is a meeting finder on the site.

Fathers Rights Foundation  This site sells books, documents and other resources targeted to fathers engaged in divorce and custody actions.

Mental Health Association of Greater Houston MHA is a great source of information for people-oriented help and opportunities. One of the best things on this website is The Guide, a detailed list of groups and agencies offering assistance with a wide assortment of life difficulties, including low- or no-cost services.

National Center for Fathering  This site provides lots of information and numerous practical tools for fathers and parents in general.

Drug and Alcohol Recovery:  

Drug and alcohol abuse have devastating consequences for the abusers, their families and the whole society. These organizations offer self-help support groups that provide the foundation for building new lives for millions.

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services "Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism." The original 12-step group. This is the main website.

Houston AA Intergroup operates a bookstore and publishes the Houston area meeting guide. This website also has a searchable database of meeting times and locations.

Cocaine Anonymous World Service "Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances."

Cocaine Anonymous - Texas maintains a searchable database of meeting times and locations in Texas.

Al-Anon/Alateen Al-Anon's purpose is "To help families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend. Similarly, Alateen is our recovery program for young people. Alateen groups are sponsored by Al-Anon members." Meeting information for Texas and the Houston area are at the following links:

Al-Anon Texas           Al-Anon - Houston Area

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:

Our understanding of ADHD has improved tremendously and continues to expand at a rapid rate. Here are some links to help keep abreast of it all and connect with others, too.

ADDitude Magazine  This magazine and its website is an excellent resource for information for parents, children and adults dealing with ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association: The ADDA "focuses especially on the needs of AD/HD adults and young adults with AD/HD. Parents of children with AD/HD are also welcome." Lots of links and information.

CHADD: Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a national non-profit organization "provides science-based, evidence-based information about AD/HD to parents, educators, professionals, the media and the general public."

Health and Wellness:

There really is no separation between mental and physical health. They are two aspects of the whole health picture, and each affects the other. 

National Wellness Institute  Historically, we have paid far more attention to illness than to wellness. The absence of illness is not necessarily health. Check this out.

NOAH  New York Online Access to Health "provides access to high quality full-text consumer health information in English and Spanish that is accurate, timely, relevant and unbiased." This is a huge collection of links to information and support specific to numerous health issues.

WebMD "WebMD Corporation provides services that help physicians, consumers, providers and health plans navigate the complexity of the healthcare system." This is a commercial website that is a great information resource for healthcare.