Resources

Carefully curated, this is by no means an exhaustive list. Please feel free to share your favorite websites and books here!

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LGBTQ+ Support and Education

 

Mental Health

 

Substance Use and Abuse Awareness

 

Social Justice and Advocacy

 

Therapeutic Education Consultants

 

Education for Allies

Adolescent Development

  • The Teenage Brain by Frances E. Jensen, MD
  • You and Your Adolescent by Laurence Steinberg
  • How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims
  • Age of Opportunity by Laurence Steinberg
  • Fire Child Water Child by Stephen Scott Cowan
  • The Curse of the Good Girl by Rachel Simmons
  • Enough As She Is by Rachel Simmons
  • Boys and Sex by Peggy Orenstein
  • Girls and Sex by Peggy Orenstein
  • Fourteen Talk by Age Fourteen by Michelle Icard

 

Depression, Anxiety and Substance Use

  • Adolescent Depression by Francis Mark Mondimore and Patrick Kelly
  • Is Your Teen Stressed or Depressed? by Drs. Arch Hart and
  • Catherine Hart Weber
  • Crazy Stressed by Michael J. Bradley
  • Outgrowing Addiction by Stanton Peele and Zach Rhoads
  • Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety by John Duffy

 

LGBTQ+

  • “Mom, I’m Gay” by Susan Cottrell (covers faith and spirituality too)
  • Radically Included by Susan Cottrell (covers faith and spirituality too)
  • This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids by Dannielle Owens Reid & Kristin Russo
  • The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs PhD
  • God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines (covers faith and spirituality too)
  • Oddly Normal by John Schwartz
  • Always My Child by Kevin Jennings
  • The ABC’s of LGBT+ by Ashley Mardell
  • UnClobber by Colby Martin (covers faith and spirituality too)
  • SoulNotSkin by Jen SluMac
  • How We Do Family by Trystan Reese
  • Made Known Loved by Ross Murray
  • Raising My Rainbow – Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son by Lori Duron

 

Self Care

  • The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
  • The Magic by Rhonda Byrne
  • Mantras in Motion by Erin Stutland
  • The Clarity Cleanse by Habib Sadeghi
  • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
  • Untamed by Glennon Doyle
  • The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

 

Spirituality

  • Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstei
  • The Universe has your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein
  • The Calling by Rha Goddess
  • Raising Hell by Julie Ferwerda

 

Parenting

  • Brave Parenting by Krissy Pozatek
  • The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman
  • The Parallel Process by Krissy Pozatek
  • Not By Chance by Tim Thayne
  • Differently Wired by Debbie Reber

The Trevor Helpline:

1-866-4UTREVOR/1-866-488-7386
VISIT THE TREVOR PROJECT WEBSITE
*Suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth

Trans Lifeline

US: (877) 565-8860
VISIT THE TRANS LIFELINE WEBSITE
* Suicide prevention helpline for trans youth, staffed by trans people.

National Runaway Switchboard:

1-800-RUNAWAY/1-800-786-2929
VISIT THE NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWTICHBOARD WEBSITE
*Crisis intervention and referrals. National communication system for runaway and homeless youth.

RAINN – Rape Abuse & Incest National Network:

1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
VISIT THE RAINN WEBSITE
* National sexual assault hotline

GLBT National Youth Talkline:

1-800-246-7743
VISIT THE GLBT NATIONAL YOUTH TALKLINE WEBSITE
*Talk to peers directly

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
VISIT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE WEBSITE

National Child Abuse Hotline:

1-800-4-A-CHILD/1-800-422-4453)
VISIT THE NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE WEBSITE

Sexually Transmitted Disease & AIDS/HIV Information Hotline:

1-800-CDC-INFO/1-800-232-4636

National Youth Crisis Hotline:

1-800-442-HOPE (4673)
*Provides counseling and referrals to local drug treatment centers, shelters, and counseling services.

Fantastic resources in Chicago’s Northern Suburbs

A Special Thank You for Your Support

Just Breathe is Featured in Top 10 Lesbian Parenting Podcasts

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AS SEEN IN

I have loved and admired you and your family for over 30 years now, but the honor I have always felt to call you friend truly quadrupled yesterday after listening to your podcasts. Every word was true and authentic, and real, and beautiful-even those that made me cry to the point where I had to pause for a bit before continuing.

I know the last few years have been pure hell. Yet somehow you, Steve, and your kids somehow managed to navigate it with grace, dignity, love, vulnerability, and acceptance. I am in awe of each of you. Messiness sucks, but you are showing the world how beautiful life can be if we find a way to embrace it and breathe. Thanks to all of you for sharing your story and resources-it WILL make a difference for so many others.

S. Geidner

When I was Connor’s age, I don’t think Ellen DeGeneres was out yet. The world has changed so much since that time. I’m glad I’m alive to see it. I find myself cheering on parents like Heather who are willing to step out of their own comfort zone and reputations to stand by LGBTQ children and love us – out loud! This is such an important show [the podcast]. BIG LOVE for this courageous family in the Midwest! Yay YOU!

J. SluMac

Powerful, profound, so needed… What a breath of fresh air this show [the podcast] is. So many LGBTQ people, especially youth, struggle with the devastating impact of faith-based family rejection. Parents are searching for a better way. A way to love their LGBTQ child without compromising their faith. It takes opening what box you have God in – thank you for helping people do that! What a gift this podcast is!

R. Cottrell

I love your raw, real vulnerability. I am brand new on this journey and stumbled accidentally across your podcast on a road trip. I listened for 8 hours of driving and didn’t want to get to my destination because I wanted more. Using your own journey to help and support other parents is so brave and I am grateful to you and your family. Connor is so fortunate to have you ❤️

Anonymous

Your centered, calming voice and demeanor help me to feel more peaceful. I experience you as therapeutic & your journey gives me more hope that we can love [our son] well. Thank you for giving your life away to me through sharing your story and the guests you interview.

Anonymous

Powerful, profound. So needed. Thank you!!!

What a breathe of fresh air this show is. So many LGBTQ people, especially youth, struggle with the devastating impact of faith-based family rejection. Parents are searching for a better way – a way to love their LGBTQ child without compromising their faith. It takes opening whatever box you have God in – thank you for helping people do that! What a gift this Podcast is!!

Apple Podcasts

This podcast was unbelievably helpful. The frank discussion and honesty -completely helped me begin my journey with my son and I have shared this podcast with everyone in our family Truly look forward to more episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Amazing!!! This is so incredibly well done and your thoughtful approach is undoubtedly helping tons of families. What you’re doing truly matters! Your son is lucky to have you and vice versa ;)! Thank you for sharing w us!

Apple Podcasts

Thank you, thank you for this!! I learned so much!

Apple Podcasts

Helped so much!!

I have learned so much and feel so much less alone after listening! Thank so much!!

Apple Podcasts

Must-Listen!

This podcast is a must-listen for those wanting to learn how to best help the LGBTQ teen or young adult in their life. Heather is a thoughtful host who offers great information and support. Such a great podcast with great information!

Apple Podcasts

Thank you.

Exactly what this momma needed.

Apple Podcasts

Right on … so needed

Heather is real, relatable, thoughtful, educated, and inclusive of every teen parent scenario in her talks. I love being able to hear first hand from someone who has gone through the “Valley of Darkness” and come out the other side a better person, informed, and able to help others right where they are.

Apple Podcasts

Just breathe

Thank you for providing this valuable information.

Apple Podcasts

Attn Parents!

Listen, absorb, learn, and breathe thru this podcast. So helpful us (child and parents) as we go thru this journey together.

Apple Podcasts