There are many excellent community resources, some of which are free, low-cost, or provided on a sliding scale. Included below are also online information and resources.
 
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
 
Urgent Local Services
Mobile Crisis Services: 24/7 crisis help & referrals. 1-800-838-1381
SLO Hotline:  call 211. Crisis intervention & resources, 24 hours/day
Suicide Prevention Hotline: Free & confidential, 24 hrs/day. 800-273-TALK
SLO The Stigma: Crisis help & resources (se habla español).  800-549-4499
San Luis Obispo County Department of Mental Health Services: requests for
service, 24 hours/day, 800-838-1381
Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention (SARP) Center: Free, confidential 24-hr
crisis & support lines (se habla español). 805-545-8888 / 1-800-656-HOPE
North County Women's Shelter& Resource Center: 805-461-1388
Women’s Shelter Program of San Luis Obispo County: Assisting partner
violence and child abuse victims. 805-781-6400 / 1-800-549-8989     
 
Additional Local Services & Referrals:
Central Coast Psychological Association: good source for local referrals
Psychology Today: good source for local referrals
San  Luis Obispo County Mental Health Services: a full range of service
Tri-Counties Regional Center: developmental disability services & support
YMCA: activities & programs for strong communities
Big Brothers, Big Sisters: one-on-one mentoring & friendships
Boys & Girls Clubs: a fun, safe place for growing children
Transitions Mental Health Association’s Family Services: programs & services
GALA: support for the GLBT community on the Central Coast
Alcoholics Anonymous: local support 805-541-3211
Narcotics Anonymous: local support 800-549-7730
 
General Health & Mental Health Information & Resources:
Health Reform Law: how will it affect you & your family?
National Alliance on Mental Illness: current research and resources
National Institute of Mental Health: current research and resources
American Psychological Association: research, links, & referrals
American Psychiatric Association: research, links, & referrals
California Psychological Association: research, links, & referrals
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): stats, treatment & resources
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD):information,
news & research on a wide range of topics
MedlinePlus: information on a wide range of health and mental health topics
Healthline.com: suggested by a reader! Great source for mental health topics
Sleep Foundation: articles, research, advice for healthy sleep
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: info & referrals
Suicide Prevention Action Network: resources & advocacy
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: links to four organizations, support & resources
Depression Screen: ages 18+; not diagnostic; seek help if suggests depression
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: support groups and information
DisabilityInfo.gov: information, advocacy & opportunity
Caregiver Handbook: from UCSF, guide for caregivers of those w/ serious illness
Caregiver.com: leading provider of info, support, and guidance for caregivers
National Family Caregivers Assoc.: resources for all caregivers, for all diagnoses
Well Spouse: for caregivers of chronically ill and/or disabled spouses/partners
 
Women, Children & Families (also see below for Autism & Military links):
American Society for Reproductive Medicine: fertility & menopause
What To Expect: pre-conception through the first year
Menopause.org: facts, treatments, & support
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: support groups and information
Postpartum Support International: the most common complication of childbirth
MedEdPPD: Postpartum Depression education, support & referrals
Sleep  Foundation: articles, research, advice for healthy sleep
Zero-to-Three: articles & resources to promote healthy child development
Babycenter: from getting pregnant to age-specific advice, blogs & resources
Positive Discipline: manual for parents, with age-specific advice
Greatschools: ratings, reviews, & age-specific advice
IEP Strategies: getting your child the school services he or she needs
Wrightslaw.org: Special educatipon law and advocacy
YMCA: activities & programs for strong communities
Big Brothers, Big Sisters: one-on-one mentoring & friendships
Boys & Girls Clubs: a fun, safe place for growing children
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): info,
news & research on a wide range of topics
 
Autism Spectrum Disorders & Developmental Disabilities Resources:
Support Group for Caregivers of Individuals with Asperger's: Atascadero
Tri-Counties  Regional Center: developmental disability services & support
Central Coast Autism Spectrum Center: local support, programs & resources
CA Area Board 9: local resources for individuals living with disabilities
IEP  Strategies: getting your child the school services he or she needs
MIND Institute of UC Davis: research, resources & programs
Autism Society of America: community, support & resources
Autism Speaks: awareness, advocacy & services
Council for Exceptional Children: special education info & advocacy
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: stats, treatment & resources
DisabilityInfo.gov: information, advocacy & opportunity
Autism Shop: sensory items, visuals, books, games, resources
Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT): education, advocacy & support
First Signs: learn the early signs so you can begin early treatment
International Society of Autism Research (INSAR): research, meetings & info
National Autism Association: resources & advocacy
National Autistic Society: resources & tips on living with Autism
Life Journey Through Autism: an assessment guide for parents
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD):information,
news, research and publications
The Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP): support
groups, resources, newsletter
 
Veterans, Active Duty & Military Families:
US Dept. of Veteran's Affairs Mental Health Dept.: benefits & resources
Real Warriors: resilience, recovery & reintegration with family upon return
AfterDeployment.org: resources covering a wide range of topics
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: links to four organizations, support & resources
DisabilityInfo.gov: information, advocacy & opportunity
Caregiver Handbook: from UCSF, guide for caregivers of those w/ serious illness
Caregiver.com: leading provider of info, support, and guidance for caregivers
National Family Caregivers Assoc.: resources for all caregivers, for all diagnoses
Well Spouse: for caregivers of chronically ill and/or disabled spouses/partner
Blue Star Mothers: support for mothers of military members
Blue Star Families: support for military families
 
Additional Organizations:
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: info & referrals
Suicide Prevention Action Network: resources & advocacy
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: links to four organizations, support & resources
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: support groups and information
DisabilityInfo.gov: information, advocacy & opportunity
GLBT Mental Health Resources: support & resources
PFLAG: Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays support & education
DiversityInc: advocacy, news & support for diverse communities
Sleep  Foundation: articles, research, advice for healthy sleep
Caregiver Handbook: from UCSF, guide for caregivers of those w/ serious illness
Caregiver.com: leading provider of info, support, and guidance for caregivers
National Family Caregivers Assoc.: resources for all caregivers, for all diagnoses
Well Spouse: for caregivers of chronically ill and/or disabled spouses/partner
 
 
 
 
 
Call for a complimentary 15 minute phone or  office consultation to see if Dr. Ferguson can be of assistance. 
 
Dr. Ferguson is committed to helping you and your family  thrive
 

 
 
Laurie Ferguson, PsyD
Licensed Clinical  Psychologist PSY 20842
9700 El Camino Real, Suite #303
Atascadero, CA  93422
LaurieFergusonPsyD@gmail.com
805-610-8694