FAQs about counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, and coaching in LongBeach, CA

I went to get my haircut the other day and was connecting with my incredible stylist about the challenges in finding quality mental health care. We talked about many things but one theme was that of having negative experiences with unempathetic providers (both in physical and mental health care). Another theme was stigmatization surrounding mental health care from culture and family, and another was how hard it is to navigate finding a good and supportive therapist in Long Beach, CA, especially when using insurance. 

We’re often apprehensive to dive into the most vulnerable parts of our lives, especially with a stranger. It does not help when our insurance links us to a provider who does not validate or express understanding. 

Something else I continue running into is that often people do not understand what therapy actually is, how it works, and how it SHOULD look. At best we get a movie that has been overly dramatized to educate the public on what a therapeutic journey should be like.  

With that said, maybe you found a few therapists in Long Beach (or whatever city you may be in) that seemed nice enough. You probably have a ton of questions- that is completely normal and honestly, a really GOOD thing!

FAQs about therapy and counseling in Long Beach, CA

First and foremost my job as a therapist is to support and serve others. It’s part of the code of ethics so let me share a few FAQs I frequently hear from new clients and things I wish I knew when I was on my own healing journey.

Question #1: How do I know if I need counseling?

No one else gets to tell you if you need counseling. You get to decide this. It is the foundation of self-determination. With that said, a great gauge to tell if counseling may be helpful is to ask yourself, “Do I need more support? Are there things I need help with because they impact my life in a negative way?” 

We all have quirks, but as a therapist, I am looking for more than quirks in clients. I’m looking for functional impairments - in other words, are my symptoms messing up my ability to have healthy interpersonal relationships, engage in basic self-care, go to work or school, etc.

Question #2: What should I ask a therapist before meeting with them?

When meeting a therapist for the first time it’s a great thing to ask them what type of therapeutic approach they use (and what that means), how many years they have practiced, their specialties (like anxiety work, depression work, trauma work, etc.), and how to best prepare for the first session. If you have more questions I want to encourage you to ASK! This is your treatment and it is important you feel a sense of trust and understanding when meeting with your therapist. Check out my blog post specifically on what questions to ask a therapist!

Question #3: How long will therapy last?

This is a good but tough question. The length of therapy is different for every person based on their unique needs. Some people need short-term intensive support while others appreciate long-term intermittent care. On average I typically work with people for 9 months to a year. Change takes time and consistency - but is entirely up to the individual and their needs.

Question #4: How often will we meet?

I recommended weekly treatment at first. Research shows that consistent intensive treatment at the beginning of therapy is more effective than inconsistent or more spread out treatment. As we make progress we typically fade out treatment to biweekly, then once a month check-ins. 

Question #5: Do you have experience working with the issues I am looking for help with?

I have quite a bit of experience working with a range of mental health diagnoses and needs. From Schizophrenia to Autism to Anxiety/Panic attacks to Postpartum and Couples work. I have furthered my individual training for Couples work by completing levels 1 and 2 of the Gottman Institute and plan to continue to full certification. In addition, I want to continue my education in perinatal studies and anxiety treatments. Always more to learn!

This is just a short list of common questions regarding therapy. I’d love to answer more though and I hope this helps you find the right therapist in Long Beach, CA, or wherever you may be. If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me at (562) 353-7136 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person.