Helpful Resources

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A psychiatric emergency is any situation in which a child or adolescent’s safety is at immediate risk due to severe emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, self‑harm, extreme behavioral dysregulation, or an inability to care for themselves. In these moments, children need rapid, specialized support to help them stay safe and stabilize their emotions.

If you are concerned that your child is in crisis, the following resources can provide immediate help:

911 — Immediate Danger or Life‑Threatening Emergency 

Call 911 if your child is at immediate risk of harming themselves or others, or if there is any life‑threatening situation.

988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 

Call or text 988 for 24/7 support during suicidal thoughts, emotional crises, or overwhelming distress. This line offers immediate guidance and connection to crisis services.

PESS (Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services) – Monmouth County 

Phone: 732‑776‑4555 

PESS provides emergency psychiatric evaluations and crisis intervention for children, adolescents, and adults. This is the designated screening service for Brielle and surrounding Monmouth County communities

Second Floor Youth Helpline 

Phone: 888‑222‑2228

A confidential, 24/7 helpline for New Jersey youth offering support, guidance, and a safe space to talk about stress, relationships, school, family conflict, or emotional struggles.

PerformCare is New Jersey’s statewide access point for children’s behavioral health services. Families can call PerformCare at 1‑877‑652‑7624 to request support, ask questions, or access services through the Children’s System of Care.

This is also the number to call if your child needs Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (CMRSS), a crisis and stabilization team that can come directly to your home to support your child during urgent emotional or behavioral moments.

PerformCare is available 24/7, offering guidance, connection to services, and immediate help when families need it most.

At Symbol of Hope Counseling, we believe parents thrive when they feel informed, empowered, and connected. These books were selected because they align with our child‑centered, relationship‑driven approach, offering practical guidance, gentle reassurance, and brain‑based tools you can use at home. 

Brain‑Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke 

A thoughtful, science‑informed look at how children’s nervous systems shape behavior. This book helps parents shift from “fixing” challenges to supporting regulation, connection, and emotional growth.

The Whole‑Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson 

A clear, parent‑friendly guide to understanding your child’s developing brain. It offers simple strategies that turn everyday moments into opportunities for connection and learning.

Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors by Robyn Gobbel
A compassionate, brain‑based guide that helps parents understand the nervous system behind challenging behaviors and respond with connection, regulation, and confidence.

No‑Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson 

A calm, compassionate approach to discipline that strengthens relationships while guiding children toward better choices. It’s especially helpful for parents seeking structure without shame.

Raising Securely Attached Kids by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, & Bert Powell 

A warm, accessible resource on building secure attachment, the foundation of emotional safety. This book supports parents in creating a home where children feel seen, soothed, and supported.

Trauma‑Proofing Your Kids by Peter A. Levine & Maggie Kline 

A gentle introduction to understanding stress responses in children and how everyday interactions can foster resilience. It’s a reassuring read for parents wanting to nurture safety and confidence.

Tiny Humans, Big Emotions by Alyssa Blask Campbell & Lauren Stauble 

A practical, heart‑centered guide to helping young children understand and manage big feelings. Perfect for parents looking to build emotional literacy from the earliest years.

Putting Children First by JoAnne Pedro‑Carroll 

A research‑based, neuroscience‑informed guide that helps parents reduce stress, prevent trauma, and protect emotional safety during divorce. Pedro‑Carroll offers clear, compassionate strategies for staying connected, minimizing conflict, and supporting children at every developmental stage.

Stories and shared learning can make challenging moments feel more manageable. This curated list brings together highly reviewed books for both parents and children to read together, resources that support emotional regulation, resilience, and connection. Each recommendation is chosen for its practical guidance, gentle reassurance, and child‑centered approach. Books for topics that are not addressed below can be recommended upon request. 

Some Days I Flip My Lid by Michelle Garcia Winner & Pamela Crooke

Ages: 5–10. 

A kid‑friendly introduction to self‑regulation that helps children understand what happens in their brain when emotions get big—and how to calm their “lid” back down.

How to Train Your Amygdala by Erin Donnelly

Ages: 5–10. 

A playful, neuroscience‑informed story that teaches kids how their brain’s “alarm system” works. Great for anxiety, big feelings, and building coping skills.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney

Ages: 2–6. 

A beloved classic that gently supports separation anxiety, bedtime struggles, and emotional reassurance. Perfect for younger children learning to name feelings.

Dinosaurs Divorce by Marc Brown & Laurie Krasny Brown

Ages: 4–10 

A clear, honest, developmentally appropriate guide that helps children understand divorce, family changes, and the feelings that come with them.

The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

Ages: 4–10. 

A highly reviewed story about connection and comfort, especially helpful for anxiety, separation, grief, or transitions.

A Little Spot of Emotion Series by Diane Alber

Ages: 4–10. 

Engaging, visual books that help children identify, understand, and manage emotions like anger, anxiety, sadness, and kindness.

When Sophie Gets Angry — Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

Ages: 3–7. 

A beautifully illustrated book that helps children understand anger and learn healthy ways to cope with overwhelming feelings.

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

Ages: 3–8. 

A gentle, powerful story about emotional processing and the importance of feeling heard, ideal for kids navigating disappointment, frustration, grief, or loss.

The Memory Box: A Book About Grief by Joanna Rowland

Ages: 4–10. 

A tender, reassuring story that helps children understand grief and remember loved ones with warmth and safety. Highly reviewed for supporting children through loss.

The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas

Ages: 3–7. 

A visually engaging book that helps young children sort, name, and understand their emotions, perfect for early emotional literacy and counseling support.