Top Myths About Counseling in Long Beach, CA

There seem to be endless, different representations of therapy and counseling through media. There is the classic client laying on the couch speaking to a boring therapist with no personality (“How does that make you feel?”), or the eccentric therapist who helps the troubled genius get their ducks in a row (“Good Will Hunting” anyone?). Either way, people generally have quite a few myths built up due to the stigmas in society and the underrepresentation of counseling and therapy in media.   

Are you in a place where you know something needs to change? Are you trying to understand what to expect when you start seeing someone for counseling in Long Beach, CA but you have heard some things about counseling making you apprehensive? Let’s silence the stigmas from media, our friends, and family, and, in a true therapeutic fashion, talk about some of the top myths surrounding counseling.

Myth: Therapists are just a friend you pay to listen to you complain.

Fact: Your therapist is not your friend. Instead, they are a highly trained professional who recognizes and understands how to treat serious mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues. Therapy is based on a trusting relationship between client and therapist. There absolutely needs to be a foundation of human connection and care for clients from therapists. 

Myth: Counseling is something rich privileged people do for their whole lives.

Fact: While counseling has been something rich privileged people can do their whole lives, help is available to everyone who needs or wants it. There are many therapists working to remove financial barriers to people accessing needed help. One great organization that does so is Open Path Collective, which works to link clients with lower financial resources to highly trained mental health professionals.

Myth: Therapy will last for years.

Fact: As an anxiety therapist in Long Beach, CA, I can tell you confidently I have not done my job if you need to see me for years upon years. One of my primary goals as a therapist is to empower my clients to have the tools and resources to live life fully without my help. Essentially, I am trying to put myself out of a job. I want to help my clients battling dysfunctional anxiety, trauma, depression, etc. transform into people with functional, healed emotions, and behaviors.

Myth: Your therapist is just doing this for the money.

Fact: If your therapist was just doing this for the money, they would have gone to law school or business school. Sassiness aside, your therapist needs to make a livable income and have the financial resources to run a business. And while all therapists are not the same, most therapists truly want what is best for their clients.

Myth: You shouldn’t expect to see real changes from going to therapy

Fact: Depending on your personal goals, you should expect change because isn’t that the point? Most people are considering therapy because something is not right in their lives or they are not where they want to be. Therapy should be life-changing in the best of ways, healing and strengthening those who pursue it. Expect and pursue changes from going to therapy.

Myth: You might end up dating your therapist

Fact: It is absolutely not okay to end up dating your therapist. This is a direct violation of the code of ethics (see section 1.09) and certain laws within the United States to protect clients from being taken advantage of emotionally or sexually during therapy sessions. *Also, if you are trying to set up a session with me in hopes of dating me, tough luck, I am happily married to the man of my dreams.

With this list, I hope you have found further clarity regarding therapy and counseling in Long Beach, CA. 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. 

If you are looking for help with anxiety, you can read more about how I can help here. If you are looking for help with the perinatal and postpartum journey, you can read more about how I can help here. And lastly, if you are looking for help in healing and strengthening your relationship with your partner or spouse, you can read more about how I can help here.

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