you are not alone
a human's voice.
If something about tethering felt familiar, there are people who can help. These resources are a starting point — not a prescription.
if you found us looking for our PTSD section, jump to section 05 — beyond tethering → or go straight to our new wing being built specifically for PTSD →
if all else fails, and you just need a voice… call the number at the top. i'm happy to listen.
let us know if you have a resource to share. we don't go looking for them anymore. we saw what was out there.
01 — find a therapist near you
for someone in your area, go to SAMHSA — they can put you in touch with a local provider. SAMHSA is the federal agency that maintains the national treatment locator. enter your ZIP code on their site and you'll see mental health providers near you.
and they're a site you can trust with your information — unlike this site, and unlike 99% of the ones out there that dress up like help and walk away with your data. go there. don't give your email to anyone else until you go there.
When searching, look for therapists who list behavioral addiction, attachment issues, or technology use as areas of focus. You don't need to explain tethering — “I've been struggling with my relationship with AI” is enough to start.
02 — crisis support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
call or text 988
Free, confidential, 24/7. For anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis. Call or text 988 from any phone in the US.
Crisis Text Line
text HOME to 741741
Free, confidential crisis counseling by text, 24/7. If you're overwhelmed and not sure what to do next, this is a good first message.
SAMHSA National Helpline
1-800-662-4357
Free, confidential, 24/7. Treatment referral and information for mental health and substance use. Available in English and Spanish.
03 — find a therapist (directory)
Psychology Today — Find a Therapist
Search by location and specialty. Filter for therapists who list behavioral addiction, attachment issues, or technology and screen use. One of the most complete directories available.
Open Path Collective
Reduced-cost therapy for people who can't afford standard rates. Sessions from $30–$80. Vetted therapists across the US.
Therapy for Black Girls
Directory of therapists committed to the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
04 — understanding what you're going through
What Is Tethering?
If you're not sure whether what you're experiencing is tethering, start here. It explains the condition in plain language — what it is, what it isn't, and why it has a name now.
itethered — the book
The full reported account of tethering — the science, the stories, the companies, and what comes next. written by character零号. Available for reading on this site.
Share Your Story
If you want to tell someone what happened to you, we're here. We read every submission. We write back to many of them. What you share stays with us unless you say otherwise.
These resources are a starting point, not a clinical recommendation. itethered does not have a therapeutic relationship with readers and is not a mental health provider.