Resources
SDPA provides resources for the public related to mental health. These resources are produced primarily through the work of SDPA committees. A list of the current public resources offered is presented below. To find out more information about a particular resource and its associated SDPA committee, click on the its name.
Resource Categories
These resource categories are designed to help psychologists and community members quickly locate trusted support across a range of mental health and wellness needs. Each section highlights reputable organizations in San Diego that provide specialized services, referral options, and pathways to care for individuals, families, and clinicians seeking additional support.
Addictions
Resources for individuals and families affected by substance use and behavioral addictions, including treatment options, support groups, and recovery services. Psychologists can also find referral partners and specialized programs for client care.
Community Mental Health
A collection of public and nonprofit mental health services that provide accessible care across San Diego County. Ideal for those seeking support and for clinicians looking for trusted community referral options.
Crisis Hotlines
Immediate, confidential support for individuals experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or urgent mental health needs. These services are available 24/7 for rapid assistance and stabilization.
Community Mental Health
Resources below
Public and nonprofit services that expand access to mental health care across the region, especially for individuals who may face barriers to private treatment. These organizations provide essential support and practical referral options for psychologists serving diverse community needs.
NAMI San Diego – Support Services
Provides peer-led mental health support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Services include support groups, a helpline and warmline, and connections to local resources to promote recovery and reduce stigma.
211 San Diego
Whether you are looking for help for yourself or you are worried about someone else, we can help you find available mental health resources and services. All calls are confidential and we’ll listen, judgment-free, and work to find the best solution whether you need counseling and support groups or long-term care. We know you may feel lost, but we are here to help you take the first step on your journey.
Lifeline Community Services
A community-based organization serving youth, adults, and families across San Diego County with evidence-based programs in behavioral health, housing stability, child abuse prevention, and self-sufficiency. Their services focus on early intervention, prevention, and long-term support for underserved populations.
Crisis Hotlines
Resources below
Immediate, 24/7 support for individuals experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or urgent mental health crises. These services provide confidential intervention, stabilization, and connection to ongoing care.
Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT)
Call the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) to help you or a loved one if there is a mental health or substance use crisis.
Available 24/7, they can come to you anywhere in San Diego County to help:
- Stabilize people
- Connect people to local care and support
- Prevent trips to the hospital or jail
The San Diego Access & Crisis Line (ACL)
Confidential and free of charge, the San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL) serves as the local crisis call center and is operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The ACL offers crisis support and helps facilitate connections to behavioral health resources for you or your loved one, including:
- Suicide prevention and crisis intervention
- Mobile crisis response services
- Alcohol and substance use referrals
- Mental health referrals
- Community resources
- Other supportive services
Self-Sufficiency Programs
The San Diego County Harm Reduction Services Program (SSP) is a public health initiative designed to reduce the harms associated with substance use, especially among people who inject drugs, by providing low-barrier, stigma-free services such as sterile syringe access and safe disposal, naloxone distribution and education, fentanyl test strips, and linkage to HIV/HCV testing and treatment. It also connects participants with substance use treatment, mental health care, housing support, and other social services to improve health outcomes and prevent disease transmission in the community.
- Food Assistance
- Medical Assistance
- Work and Money
- Veterans Services
- Housing Assistance
- Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
- Public Charge
Domestic Violence - Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Support, advocacy, and safety resources for individuals affected by domestic or intimate partner violence. Includes shelters, legal advocacy, counseling services, and referral information for clinicians assisting survivors.
Grief and Loss
Organizations and groups offering support for those coping with the death of a loved one or other significant losses. Psychologists can also find grief-specific programs and referral options for clients in need of additional care.
LGBTQ+
Affirming and inclusive services tailored to the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Includes community centers, specialized counseling, and supportive networks for both clients and providers.
Domestic Violence – Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Resources below
Support services for individuals experiencing abuse in relationships, including safety planning, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling. These resources prioritize safety, empowerment, and healing.
One Safe Place – North County Family Justice Center
We provide no cost support services all under one roof to anyone who has experienced child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, hate crime, elder abuse, human trafficking, violent loss, family violence, or other abuse or victimization. At One Safe Place — the North County Family Justice Center — we provide comprehensive help in a safe and judgment-free environment that empowers people to move forward with their lives.
Walk-in services are available during hours of operation or call ahead for more information.
Your Safe Place -
The San Diego Family Justice Center
At the San Diego Family Justice Center, we work with a team of dedicated community partners and volunteers to provide confidential and comprehensive services.
YWCA San Diego County – Domestic Violence Services
Provides comprehensive support for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, and related crises. Services include 24/7 crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and long-term housing support, with a focus on safety, healing, and empowerment.
Grief and Loss
Resources below
Support for individuals coping with the death of a loved one or other significant losses. Services include counseling, support groups, and bereavement resources to help individuals process and adjust to loss.
NAMI San Diego Support Groups
Provides peer-led mental health support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Services include support groups, a helpline and warmline, and connections to local resources to promote recovery and reduce stigma.
Elizabeth Hospice – The Center for Compassionate Care
As a program of The Elizabeth Hospice, The Center for Compassionate Care™ provides grief counseling services to anyone in the community who has experienced the death of someone significant in their life. We feel that grief is a deeply personal and complex experience with a wide range of emotions. Some of the reactions characteristic to loss are anger, sadness, guilt, depression, heartbreak, difficulty concentrating, and lethargy. The passing of time eases the pain, but time alone may not be enough.
211 San Diego Resources
Whether you are looking for help for yourself or you are worried about someone else, we can help you find available mental health resources and services. All calls are confidential and we’ll listen, judgment-free, and work to find the best solution whether you need counseling and support groups or long-term care. We know you may feel lost, but we are here to help you take the first step on your journey.
LGBTQ+
Resources below
Affirming and inclusive mental health and community services that support LGBTQ+ individuals across identity, transition, and wellness needs. These resources also provide safe spaces, advocacy, and specialized care.
The San Diego LGBT Community Center
The San Diego LGBT Community Center provides targeted programs and services to the full diversity of the San Diego LGBTQ community, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, nonbinary, immigrant, and HIV communities, for the betterment of our entire San Diego region.
Project TRANS (at The Center)
All of The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s programs are inclusive and supportive of transgender and nonbinary people. In addition to our overall LGBTQ+ resources, we offer services designed specifically for the transgender and nonbinary community through Project TRANS, our Transgender and Nonbinary Services Program. Project TRANS stands for Transgender Referrals, Assistance, Networking and Services.
The Trevor Project
TrevorSpace is a welcoming online social community for LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 13-24 years old. With over 700,000 members across the globe, you can find support groups and make friends in a moderated online safe space intentionally designed for you.
Low Fee Psychotherapy
Affordable counseling services offered by clinics, training programs, and nonprofit organizations. These resources help connect individuals to quality care regardless of financial limitations and provide referral options for psychologists.
Neurodiversity & Developmental Disabilities
Resources and services for individuals with autism, ADHD, learning differences, and other developmental conditions across the lifespan. Psychologists can find specialized referral partners, assessment services, and support programs for clients and families.
Veterans Affairs
Resources and services for individuals with autism, ADHD, learning differences, and other developmental conditions across the lifespan. Psychologists can find specialized referral partners, assessment services, and support programs for clients and families.
Low Fee Psychotherapy
Resources below
Affordable mental health services offered on sliding-scale fees through clinics, training programs, and nonprofit organizations. These options help expand access to quality therapy regardless of financial barriers.
San Diego Family Care Behavioral Health
The Behavioral Health Department at SDFC consists of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. We provide therapeutic and psychiatric services to both children and adults. Services are available in English and Spanish, with other translators available.
Our services include:
- Psychiatric assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and adults of all ages
- Individual psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults of all ages
- Family and couple’s therapy
- Pharmacological treatment of psychiatric conditions
- General Substance Use Disorder Treatment
- Comprehensive psychosocial support to pregnant women and their families through the prenatal program
- Psychological testing for children and adolescents
- Referrals can be made to the Behavioral Health department through your primary care provider, insurance, or self-referral.
Lifeline Community Services – Connections Counseling
Lifeline Community Services is a community-based human services organization that serves low-income and underserved populations in San Diego County. Every year Lifeline serves more than 25,000 members of our community through clinically-strong and evidence-based programs that focus on positive youth development, child abuse prevention, housing and self-sufficiency, behavioral health, and anti-human trafficking and survivor services.
Jewish Family Service of San Diego – Counseling Services
Provides affordable, sliding-scale mental health counseling for individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan. Services are offered by licensed clinicians and supervised trainees, making therapy accessible regardless of income or insurance status.
Neurodiversity & Developmental Disabilities
Resources below
Services and supports for individuals with autism, ADHD, learning differences, and other developmental conditions. Resources include assessment, therapy, family support, and long-term care coordination.
San Diego Regional Center
We provide a variety of services to persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Services are based on the client's individual needs and intended to maximize their independence, full potential, and quality of life.
UC San Diego Department of Neurosciences
San Diego Autism Resources
The San Diego area offers many public and private services to assist parents concerned about their child's development.
Autism Society San Diego Chapter
We create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.
Veteran Affairs
Resources below
Comprehensive mental health, medical, and social support services for military veterans and their families. These programs address trauma, transition to civilian life, and ongoing wellness needs.
VA San Diego Health Care – Mental Health Services
Provides comprehensive outpatient and inpatient mental health care for Veterans, including individual and group therapy, PTSD treatment, addiction services, and psychiatric care. Services are confidential and tailored to Veteran-specific needs.
VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH)
A nationally recognized VA research and clinical center focused on PTSD, trauma, and brain injury. CESAMH develops and evaluates innovative treatments and supports advanced training and evidence-based care for Veterans.
San Diego Vet Center – Readjustment Counseling Services
Provides confidential, no-cost counseling and support for Veterans, service members, and their families in a non-medical setting. Services include individual and group therapy for PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), grief, and transition-related challenges, with an emphasis on readjustment to civilian life.
Psychology 101
The Definition Of Psychology....
Many texts define psychology as the "science of mental processes and behavior." Psychology is difficult to define because the word "mental" suggests there are no boundaries or limits. "Psyche", in "Psychology," also suggests breath, life, soul or mind -- all of which are without limit. Subfields of Psychology
What Is A Psychologist?
A psychologist is an individual who holds a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in psychology. Licensed psychologists are bound by the ethical principles of the American Psychological Association.
What Does A Psychologist Do?
A psychologist provides counseling, behavior modification, hypnosis or psychotherapy to individuals, families, groups, organizations or businesses for a fee in order to treat or relieve psychological and emotional problems. A psychologist also develops, gives and interprets tests of mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, personality characteristics and motivations.
Who May Practice Psychology?
Only licensed psychologists may practice psychology with private patients without supervision. To get a license, the individual must have an appropriate doctorate degree, work in the psychology field under supervision for two years, and pass the National written exam.
How Do I Choose A Psychologist?
Decide what area you want help with, i.e. your children, spouse, substance abuse, depression, stress, etc. Then begin looking for a psychologist trained in that area. Ask friends or relatives for recommendations. Also check with your health insurance company for a list of authorized providers. You can call the national, state and local psychological associations for referrals. When you have a list of possibilities, you can narrow it down by determining if gender or geographical location makes a difference to you. Next, meet with the psychologist to see if the two of you are compatible. It is important that you feel comfortable with the psychologist.
Who Else Can Help?
Psychiatrists: Have completed medical school and are licensed by the Medical Board of California. They use limited counseling therapy and are authorized to prescribe medications.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW): Typically work in governmental or hospital settings, but may be in private practice. They can not provide psychological testing or prescribe medications. A Master's degree is required for license.
Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP): Work in schools and provide educational counseling services such as aptitude testing. They can not provide psychological testing that is not related to educational services, and they can not provide medications. A Master's degree is required for license.
Psychiatric Technicians: Provide counseling and related medical services in state hospitals. Can not provide psychological testing, or prescribe medications. Undergraduate degree required for license.
Priests, Ministers, Rabbis, or other Clergy Members: Provide spiritual guidance. May not treat for emotional or mental disorders, do psychological testing, or prescribe medications.