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Support, Crisis Help, and Next Steps.

The Protocol is a system for daily life. Sometimes you also need real-time support, a clinician, or a community of people who’ve walked similar terrain. This page collects starting points.

None of these links are sponsored. Use what helps, ignore what doesn’t, and always prioritize your safety.

If You Are in Crisis Right Now
If you are thinking about harming yourself or someone else, or you feel unable to stay safe, treat this as an emergency.
  • In the U.S.: Dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
  • Veterans & service members: Dial 988 then Press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. You can also chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or text 838255.
  • Immediate danger: Call your local emergency number (such as 911 in the U.S.).
The Protocol and the 23Protocol App are not crisis services and do not replace therapy, medication, or emergency care. Use them alongside real-world support, not instead of it.
Find a Therapist or Counselor
If you’re ready to bring your Protocol data into the room with a professional, these are common starting points.
General options
  • Search national directories (e.g., “trauma-informed therapist near me,” “EMDR therapist,” “veteran-focused therapist”).
  • Ask your primary care provider or VA provider for a behavioral health referral.
  • Ask trusted friends, faith communities, or peers for names—not just anonymous reviews.
What to look for
  • Experience with trauma, veterans, first responders, or high-stress professions.
  • Approaches like CBT, ACT, somatic work, or polyvagal-informed therapy.
  • Someone who respects your values and understands “mission” language.
Veteran & Community Organizations
These groups can offer connection, advocacy, and practical help. Replace the placeholders with links you trust in your region.
  • Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs): DAV, American Legion, VFW, and others for benefits, claims, and support.
  • Peer communities: veteran peer groups, first responder networks, faith communities.
  • Activity-based groups: outdoor programs, run clubs, music groups, veteran arts organizations.
VSOs Peer Support Activity-Based Healing
For Clinicians
If you’re a therapist, coach, chaplain, or leader using The Protocol with your people, start here.
  • Invite clients to bring their 23Protocol App patterns (sleep, signal, AARs) into session.
  • Use the Anchor / Shield / Beacon language as a shared map for treatment planning.
  • Integrate CBT / ACT / polyvagal interventions into the daily loop instead of one-off homework.
CBT / ACT Polyvagal-Informed Behavioral Activation
Learning & Education

Recommended Reading & Learning

Don’t treat this as a mandatory reading list. Treat it as an armory: pick one tool that fits the fight you’re in right now. You can always come back for more.

Nervous System & Trauma
  • The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk, MD
    How trauma shows up in the body and brain, and why “just talking about it” is rarely enough.
  • Anchored — Deb Dana
    A practical, readable introduction to polyvagal theory and nervous system states.
  • The Upward Spiral — Alex Korb, PhD
    Small science-backed actions that gradually change mood and motivation.
  • Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior — Charles Hoge, MD
    Written for warriors and families trying to understand post-combat life.
Habits, Sleep, and Systems
  • Atomic Habits — James Clear
    Straightforward framework for building small, durable habits—the “Shield” side of the Protocol.
  • Tiny Habits — BJ Fogg
    How to start from the smallest possible actions when willpower is on empty.
  • Why We Sleep — Matthew Walker, PhD
    Deep dive on why “Sleep Ops” isn’t optional for long-term brain and body health.
  • ACT Made Simple — Russ Harris
    A clinician-friendly guide to Acceptance & Commitment Therapy that maps well to values, missions, and daily ops.
None of these books replace therapy, medication, or crisis care—but combined with The Protocol, they give you a deeper map of why your brain and body do what they do under pressure.