Emergency and Crisis Procedure

In Case of an Emergency

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or feel that you may be in danger, please do not wait for a therapy appointment or try to reach your therapist through our website or social media. Immediate support is available, and help is important right now.

Please choose one of the following options right away:

  • Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room

  • Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7)

  • Veteran’s Crisis Line: Call or Text 988, then press 1

  • Ayuda en Español: Call or Text 988, then press 2

  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing Lifeline: For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988

  • Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Text Line counselor

You deserve support and care during difficult moments. If you’re in immediate danger, please seek emergency help right away.You deserve support and care during difficult moments. If you’re in immediate danger, please seek emergency help right away.

Urgent Mental Health Support

If you are not in immediate danger but are experiencing significant distress and need support right away, the following resources are available to help you during difficult moments:

National Resources

  • NAMI Helpline
    Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) for information, support, and referrals.

  • SAMHSA Helpline
    Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential support related to mental health or substance use concerns.

  • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Support)
    Call 1-866-488-7386 for crisis support and suicide prevention services.

  • RAINN Sexual Assault Hotline
    Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) for confidential support related to sexual violence.

Local Resources (Los Angeles and Orange County)

Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH)
Provides mental health services, crisis support, and referrals for LA County residents.

  • 24/7 Access Line: 1-800-854-7771

  • TTY: 1-800-432-7077

  • Offers crisis services, referrals, and information about county-supported care

Orange County Behavioral Health Services (OCBHS)
Mental health and substance use services for Orange County residents.

  • 24/7 Behavioral Health Access Line: 1-855-625-4657

  • Provides crisis support, assessments, and referrals to local providers and programs

OC WarmLine
For emotional support and connection (not a crisis line).

  • Phone: 1-877-910-9276

  • Available daily for support during difficult moments

211 LA / OC (United Way)
Dial 211 to access free, confidential information about local resources including:

  • Mental health services

  • Housing and food assistance

  • Domestic violence support

  • Healthcare and community programs

211 is available by phone and online and can help connect you to services in your area.

These services are available to offer immediate, compassionate support when you need it most.

Non-Emergency Communication

For matters that are not urgent or crisis-related, you’re welcome to reach out using the appropriate channels:

  • Use the client portal to schedule, cancel, or adjust appointments

  • Contact your therapist using the official communication methods provided during intake

Please allow up to 48 hours for a response to non-urgent messages.

Contact Outside of Sessions

Journey of the Soul is not able to provide 24/7 support. Therapists respond to messages during regular business hours.

Please note:

  • Social media, email, and website contact forms are not monitored for emergencies

  • These platforms should not be used to seek urgent or crisis support

If you are in distress outside of session times, please use the crisis resources listed on this page.

Safety During Therapy Sessions

If a client shares thoughts or intentions related to self-harm or harm to others during a session, the therapist will take appropriate steps to support safety. This may include involving emergency services or additional supports when necessary.

Therapists are mandated reporters and are required to act in accordance with legal and ethical standards when safety concerns arise.

Safety Planning

If you have concerns about managing difficult moments outside of sessions, we encourage you to talk with your therapist about creating a personalized safety plan. This plan may include:

  • Coping strategies and grounding techniques

  • Trusted contacts for additional support

  • Crisis hotlines and local emergency resources

Safety planning is a collaborative process designed to help you feel more prepared and supported.

Scope of Services

While Journey of the Soul is committed to providing thoughtful and compassionate therapy, we do not offer:

  • Crisis intervention services

  • On-call or same-day emergency appointments

  • Medication management or emergency psychiatric care

Please use emergency or crisis resources when immediate support is needed.

Acknowledgement of Care Boundaries

By engaging in services with Journey of the Soul, you acknowledge an understanding of the limits of therapeutic support outside of scheduled sessions. We encourage all clients to prioritize safety and keep crisis resources accessible when needed.