The Top 5 Myths about counseling, psychotherapy, or therapy in San Rafael, CA or Online in California

Top 5 Myths about counseling, psychotherapy, or therapy in San Rafael, CA or online in California

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the difference between a counselor, psychotherapist, therapist, and coach; how to find one; and what questions to ask from my other blogs. However, when looking for a counselor or therapist, you might also bump up against some of the myths or misunderstandings about counseling or psychotherapy that are out there.

My name is Michelle, and I am here to help you debunk some myths and have a better understanding of therapy in San Rafael, CA or online in California.

Myth #1: Counseling or Therapy in San Rafael is only for serious mental health issues.

There is still a stigma around counseling or therapy that you must have something seriously wrong with you if you are seeking help. Some people see it as a sign of weakness or failure. However, it is a sign of mental health and resilience to seek help. You don’t need to be in crisis to seek support.

The people I see don’t have serious mental health issues that affect their ability to function. People come in with all kinds of issues or stressors that affect all of us-anxiety, depression, a traumatic event, grief/loss, coping with health issues, work stressors, life transitions, and relationship challenges. Some people come to counseling or therapy for personal growth, to better understand themselves, and to seek a more fulfilling life.

Myth #2: Counselors or Therapists in San Rafael only listen and nod their heads.

There is a stereotype that a therapist just nods their heads and repeats back to you what they heard. Therapists are trained to listen. There is value in being listened to and understood without advice being given. However, there are many types of therapy and many ways of working.

Many therapists are interactive, directive, and collaborative in their work. A therapist may have you mindfully focus on your body felt sense; lead you through guided imagery; express your emotions through art or movement; follow a visual or auditory stimulus such as in EMDR; carefully examine your thoughts, beliefs for distortions and re-frame them; or work together on coping skills or problem solving. These are just to name a few. The type of therapy you receive depends on the training of the therapist and the issues you are working on.

In my practice, I work interactively and collaboratively. In addition to talking about the issue, I also help people mindfully track their body felt sensations, images, and movements that may arise.

Myth #3: Counselors or Therapists in San Rafael will just tell me what to do.

Actually, a good therapist won’t tell you what to do. They are helping to figure out things with you. They’ll help you explore your own wisdom, intuition, values, and choices. Therapy is more about discovery than advice—it’s about helping you connect with your inner voice and wisdom.

I work collaboratively with clients, exploring what they want to focus on and then helping them to discover new insights, beliefs, and inner wisdom. I support an understanding of the innate ability to heal oneself and move towards wholeness of mind, body, spirit.

Myth #4: Counseling or Therapy in San Rafael is only about re-hashing the past.

Some types of therapy focus on how your upbringing with family and society, and early life experiences shape your emotions, beliefs about yourself and the world, choices, and behavioral patterns. The goal may be to have a better understanding of yourself and others, express the pain of the past, challenge pre-existing beliefs, and develop more compassion for yourself and others. The goal is not to dwell on the past.

Some therapies completely focus on the present moment experience or on changing current thoughts and behaviors. The goal may be to create a more empowered future.

I often use a mindful, somatically oriented approach to understand how emotions, thoughts/beliefs, body felt sense, images are organized in the present moment with change occurring in the present moment. We explore the young parts of the Self from the past and the Wise Adult Self of the present.

Myth #5 There are no Counselors or Therapists in San Rafael that specialize in what I am looking for.

There are so many different types of counselors and therapists that focus on many different types of issues or challenges, with a wide variety of clients. We live in an abundant community of therapists who specialize in many areas of growth and healing.

To aid in your search you can use Google, Psychology Today, or get referrals from other health care providers, friends. With many therapists offering telehealth as well, you can see anyone online that is licensed in the state of California.

Be selective. Ask questions. Trust your intuition regarding who you resonate with and the expertise they can offer.

My specialties include trauma therapy, coping with grief and loss, cancer survivor support and coping with chronic illness, women in mid-life transition, including the menopause transition.

A Free Consultation with a Therapist in San Rafael Or Online in California

So now you have a better understanding of Top 5 Myths (and Truths) about Counseling or Therapy from a therapist in San Rafael or Marin County. You can learn more about me here and some of the types of therapy I specialize in. You deserve awarm, compassionate, skilled, and collaborative therapist to alleviate your suffering and help you deeply heal.  

 If you are looking for a therapist in San Rafael or an online therapist in CA, click here to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.

 My specialties include trauma therapy, coping with grief and loss, cancer survivor support and coping with chronic illness, women in mid-life transition