FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am required to get 36 Continuing education credits per year to keep my license in force. In addition to this, I read a lot and have ongoing discussions with colleagues to keep up to date. I am a member of the California Association of Marriage, Family Counselors, which also educates its members. Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D., www.tinatessina.com is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Long Beach, Calif. since 1978 and author of 13 books in 16 languages, including Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage (Adams Media) and The Commuter Marriage (Adams Media). She publishes the Happiness Tips from Tina e-mail newsletter, and the Dr. Romance Blog http://drromance.typepad.com/dr_romance_blog/. She has written and been interviewed for many national publications, including Cosmopolitan, Maxim, and TimeOnline.com. Online, she's known as "Doctor Romance" and is a Redbook Love Network expert as well as columnist for Divorce360, Yahoo! Personals and ThirdAge.com
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Dr. Romance: Ten things you don't know about therapy. As a psychotherapist in private practice, I encounter a lot of people who waited far too long to come in for counseling because they didnt understand what it was or how it could help them. These ten things will clear up confusion and help you understand when counseling would be a good idea for you.. 1. It doesnt mean youre crazy. Therapy is for helping you learn to handle your feelings and thoughts in a more effective way. 2. It's not about blaming your parents or other people. While understanding events in your life that may trigger feelings is helpful, a good therapist will not encourage you to blame anyone, even yourself. The point is to make changes in how you think and feel. 3. It really can vastly improve your life, and make you more successful and happier. 4. You can learn skills you didn't know you needed, that will get you what you want. 5. It's not scary, it's enlightening. You won't be harmed or belittled -- instead, you'll be delighted at what you find out. 6. It doesn't cost a lot. The earlier you go in, the quicker you can get the problem solved, and the less it will cost. 7. No topic is off limits. Whatever you haven't been able to talk about, the therapist will create a safe place for you to hear and be heard. 8. Communication is not only something you need to learn to do well with others, it is also important to see how youre relating to yourself. Therapy will help you learn the skills you need to improve both external and internal communication. 9. Even if you are on medication, you can benefit from counseling. Research shows overwhelmingly that medication alone wont fix anxiety or depression. Learning to express your feelings and become comfortable with yourself, as well as changing your self-talk, is what makes the difference. 10 Its about being happy, sunshine. Therapy can help you understand your underlying motive and desires and teach you how to be your best, most fulfilled, and happiest self. Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D., www.tinatessina.com is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Long Beach, Calif. since 1978 and author of 13 books in 16 languages, including Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage (Adams Media) and The Commuter Marriage (Adams Media). She publishes the Happiness Tips from Tina e-mail newsletter, and the Dr. Romance Blog http://drromance.typepad.com/dr_romance_blog/. She has written and been interviewed for many national publications, including Cosmopolitan, Maxim, and TimeOnline.com. Online, she's known as "Doctor Romance" and is a Redbook Love Network expert as well as columnist for Divorce360, Yahoo! Personals and ThirdAge.com