It’s been a rough year, and I think I speak for a lot of us when I say there’s been an increase in anxiety and depression. Being trapped at home, being isolated, worrying about the safety of your friends and family, trying to keep a business afloat, working from home or losing jobs, or worrying about losing jobs, being home with the kids or worrying about the kids safety if they still went to daycare… We’ve all had a lot on our plates.
I’ve leaned on a lot of resources this past year and luckily, Long Beach has so many helpful wellness resources. In honor of World Mental Health Day, I wanted to share these resources with all of you.
Online Resources
Affordable Tele-therapy without Insurance (Individual, Couples, Family)
Open Path offers teletherapy without insurance, and out of pocket costs start around $35. You can browse different therapists to find one that suits your needs and then connect with them via email to schedule appointments.
Website: https://openpathcollective.org/
Telehealth Psychiatrist/Doctor Visits
Circle Medical offers Telehealth psychiatrist appointments to treat depression, anxiety, and adult ADHD. They also have Telehealth dr appointments for regular wellness checkups and treatment for issues such as STDs/STIs. Circle Medical is currently only offered for California residents.
Website: https://www.circlemedical.com/
Free Crisis Text Line: If you need to talk but aren’t comfortable talking on the phone
If you need someone to talk to ASAP but don’t want to actually talk on the phone, this crisis hotline is a great resource. You can text the word HOME to 741741, or visit the website I linked below. This hotline is great because it’s not only for suicide, it’s for anyone who is struggling. You’ll be linked with a real person and your conversation is confidential.
Website: https://www.crisistextline.org/
Life Coaching: Cassandra Vitale
Cassandra is a Long Beach local whom I met through a mutual friend. On Mother’s Day this year, I decided to gift myself her 8 week course called Activate Your Love. It helped me immensely with communication within my family as well as outside of it, and also helped me recognize patterns of behavior that weren’t helpful for me. This course changed my life in a huge way.
Website: https://www.cassandravitale.com/activateyourlove
Online and In-Person Resources
Parent Coaching: Mary Van Geffen
Being home with the kids 24/7 during the pandemic was incredibly stressful. Jason and I both had to juggle work and parenting, and we had no childcare and no breaks. It was hard to stay patient with the kids when we were trying to do so many other things. Sessions with Mary gave me a lot of tools for remaining patient as well as tools to deal with sibling conflicts and other parenting issues. I highly recommend following her ig because she offers a lot of knowledge for kids of all ages.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/maryvangeffen/
Physical Therapy: Dr Q
Dr Q is primarily a women’s health physical therapist, but she is so much more than that. I started seeing her following a surgery for endometriosis and to remove scar tissue from my c section, but the tools I learned seeing her made a big impact on my physical and mental health. I learned to recognize new feelings in my body such as when I was tensing up without realizing, or forgetting to take deep breaths. If you have had kids, have a vagina, or you are someone who pees (men too!), you can benefit from Dr Q. What I’m saying here is that literally everyone can benefit from seeing her. She offers telehealth appointments but if you go in-person, her office also offers pilates as a form of physical therapy and it’s amazing and covered by most insurances! Win!
Website: https://www.instagram.com/drq_dpt/
In-Person Resources in Long Beach
Sohma: Acupunture, Chiropractor, Sports Medicine
I have been going here regularly for acupuncture, chiropractor, and Chinese medicine supplements for the past couple years, and it’s done wonders for my anxiety. They also offer massage and sports medicine. All of these treatments are great for mild ailments to help you avoid medication, or in conjunction with your current treatments.
Website: https://www.sohma.org/
Hotel Maya
I would not have gotten through the last year with my sanity and my job if I hadn’t been able to take advantage of the Hotel Maya’s day rates. Getting away for 9 hours to catch up on work and decompress has been a lifesaver. Their day rates include access to amenities such as the pool and hot tub as well, so it doesn’t have to be all work and no play!
Website: https://www.hotelmayalongbeach.com/special-offers
Sun Elite Wellness Pod
Sometimes you just want to relax your mind and body but you don’t have a lot of time on your hands. Sun Elite has an amazing Wellness Pod called the Cocoon and it uses a combination of infrared heat, dry heat, and vibrating massage. You get into the Cocoon for a 15 minute session and your body is enveloped while you head sticks out and there’s a cooling fan for your face. It’s incredibly relaxing and it’s good for detoxing and soothing sore muscles too.
Website: https://sunelitetan.com/elite-wellness
The Salt Lounge
The Salt Lounge has a salt room that features 550 lbs of crystal infused Himalayan pink salt. It’s a great place to relax and rejuvenate, and you can go in alone or with a partner or friend. The salt is so soothing to touch and the room smells amazing. It feels like being lost in your own world, but in a good way. They also offer crystal light therapy and reiki.
Website: https://www.thesaltloungelb.com/
Affordable Therapy without insurance ($15/session)
I have not personally utilized this resource because they only offer in-person sessions and it’s hard for me to get a sitter, but I wanted to share it because it’s an affordable option compared to regular therapy rates. They offer individual counseling, couples counseling, and family counseling.
Website: https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-education/community-clinic-for-counseling-and-educational-services
Solo Vacation
This is something I’m embarking on this week for the first time. I’ll be staying in a glamping trailer for 3 nights and giving myself the opportunity to hike, read, meditate, and recharge. This will be the longest I’ve ever been away from my kids since they were born, and it’s much needed! Since the shutdown, the kids have spent a lot more time at home and Jason also began working from home, and I’ve really been craving a break. I’m excited about this opportunity and will share more about it when I return. The location I’ve chosen is only about 90 minutes from Long Beach and I’m linking it below in case anyone wants to schedule their own relaxing retreat!
Website: https://www.houfy.com/lodging/tiny-tiki-retro-hideaway-1-hour-from-los-angeles/6356