Resources

Resources for understanding, healing, and growth.

A selected starting place for clients, parents, caregivers, and community members who want compassionate, practical ways to understand emotions, behavior, relationships, neurodivergence, technology use, recovery, and the nervous system.

Curated resources

Ideas and tools that support everyday healing.

This is a selected starting place, not a complete library or a homework list.

What shapes this list

Carey is drawn to resources that emphasize curiosity, relationships, nervous-system regulation, respect for neurodiversity, and change without shame.

How to use it

Browse slowly, ignore what does not fit, or bring one resource into therapy if it feels useful.

Upcoming community talk

Beyond Back to School: Navigating Anxiety, School Routines, and School Avoidance

September 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM | McLean Community Center

Carey will offer a community talk for parents and caregivers who want more supportive, practical ways to understand anxiety and help children move back toward school engagement.

Recognize the anxiety cycle
Respond with support and confidence
Build tolerance for hard feelings
Move toward re-engagement

QR code for Beyond Back to School event registration

Featured focus

AI, youth mental health, and the need for thoughtful guidance

Carey sometimes shares a timely article, topic, or community resource here. This month’s focus looks at young people turning to AI for mental health support and why human guidance, reliable information, and thoughtful care still matter.

Read the Harvard Gazette article

Anxiety, OCD & Discomfort

Starting points for understanding anxiety, OCD, avoidance, reassurance, and the practice of tolerating uncertainty.

Explore SPACE Treatment Parent-based support for childhood anxiety, OCD, and related concerns.
Read Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD A practical guide to reducing anxiety accommodations while staying supportive.
Read Freeing Your Child from Anxiety An accessible parent guide for fears, worries, and phobias.
Resilience Raising a Kid Who Can A broader resilience framework for coping, adapting, and growing.

ADHD, Autism & Neurodiversity

Resources for understanding executive functioning, sensory experience, masking, energy, identity, and environment.

Explore CHADD ADHD education, support, advocacy, and resources for families and adults.
Explore Neurodivergent Insights Accessible education on ADHD, autism, AuDHD, burnout, and masking.
Read Is This Autism? A helpful resource on less obvious autistic presentations.
Explore Kelly Allen Pickens - Undivided Attention ADHD- and autism-informed education with both lived and clinical perspective.

Parenting, Behavior & Connection

Resources for understanding behavior with more connection and respect for what may be hard beneath the surface.

Explore Mona Delahooke, PhD Brain-body, relational, and developmental ways to understand behavior.
Explore Parenting Translator Cara Goodwin's research-informed parenting articles in everyday language.
Explore Dan Siegel Resources Handouts and practices related to regulation, connection, and brain development.
Explore Lives in the Balance: Parents & Families Free demonstrations of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions.

Nervous System, Mindfulness & Self-Compassion

Resources for understanding stress, regulation, connection, mindfulness, and self-compassion.

Explore Rhythm of Regulation Deb Dana's accessible Polyvagal-informed teaching.
Listen Polyvagal Institute Podcast Conversations about connection, regulation, stress, and the nervous system.
Practice Kristin Neff Self-Compassion Exercises Free exercises for responding differently to self-criticism.
Practice Tara Brach's RAIN Resources A mindfulness and compassion practice for working with difficult internal experiences.

Healthy Technology Use

Resources for thinking about phones, social media, apps, games, family routines, and digital life with more context.

Watch Candice Odgers, PhD - What We're Getting Wrong About Teens and Tech A research-informed talk on teens, phones, and mental health.
Practice AAP Family Media Plan A tool for creating realistic technology expectations around family routines and priorities.
Explore Common Sense Media Age-based reviews and practical information about digital content.
Read How to Raise a Healthy Gamer Alok Kanojia's book on digital habits, motivation, and family conversations about technology.

Crisis, Recovery & Community Support

Direct links for crisis support, recovery communities, and treatment referrals.

Crisis 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988, or visit the website for crisis support in the United States.
Local Northern Virginia Intergroup of A.A. Local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and hotline information.
Local Al-Anon/Alateen Northern Virginia Meetings for family members, friends, and teens affected by someone else's drinking.
Local Narcotics Anonymous, Northern Virginia Area Northern Virginia NA meeting information.
Explore Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families Virtual and in-person ACA meeting resources.
Find Help SAMHSA National Helpline and Treatment Locator A free, confidential 24/7 treatment referral and information service.

Getting started

Schedule a Free Consultation

Carey offers a complimentary consultation call to help you explore whether therapy feels like the right fit.

Not sure where to begin? A free consultation is a place to talk through what is happening and whether Carey's support feels like the right fit.

Carey Hitchcock, LCSW Rooted in Care Therapy 9912A Georgetown Pike Great Falls, VA 22066 (571) 766-8293 carey@rootedincaretherapy.com

If this is an emergency or you may harm yourself or someone else, call 911 or 988 now.