“Child Psychologist to the Stars”

[Anonymous]

Not really the “stars” but a well liked and respected child psychologist in our circle/area who everyone consults. She even runs new mothers groups. Everyone raves about this woman so I have consulted her several times. I slowly realized that I felt great after talking to her because she was telling me what I wanted to hear. And it turns out that she wasn’t even a true child psychologist but had a masters degree in marriage and family counseling.

I made a huge mistake based on her advice.

I wondered if this was an LA thing (we’re in Los Angeles) or if it happens all over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really the “stars” but a well liked and respected child psychologist in our circle/area who everyone consults. She even runs new mothers groups. Everyone raves about this woman so I have consulted her several times. I slowly realized that I felt great after talking to her because she was telling me what I wanted to hear. And it turns out that she wasn’t even a true child psychologist but had a masters degree in marriage and family counseling.

I made a huge mistake based on her advice.

I wondered if this was an LA thing (we’re in Los Angeles) or if it happens all over.

OP, certainly you can understand that there are certain trendy parenting things that you don’t have to follow. Consider yiur e perience as a lesson in “everyone is different” and move on.

For me (n=1), I felt irritated by both the BLW book and apparently the hottest potty training method ever, Oh Crap. I digested what I could, dontsted the books to a mother’s group, and employed the best advice I ever got - listen to my child, and not to stress. DD wore pull ups, and was potty trained at 20 months. She also was fed purées along with chunks and is an amazing eater.

These aren’t humble brags - they’re just saying that you don’t need to listen to who is the most popular. Listen to yourself, listen to your child.

As far as a therapist to the stars goes.. well, most stars would have a very different life than most people. Wealth, travel, resources that most people cannot access. You bought into marketing without realizing your life is a very different place.

You did what you felt was best, and yes, this happens to parents all over.

[Anonymous]

I would guess that the hype is probably greater in LA but bad therapists happen all over.

Great you realized she was wrong, OP!

[Anonymous]

I'm a clinical psychologist licensed in CA. I did research and saw patients in SoCal, and was always amazed at how few mental health providers there practiced evidence-based approaches (i.e., that have demonstrated efficacy in peer-reviewed research studies). Otherwise, you got a lot of junk science, and untested approaches touted by charismatic personalities.

It's really a shame, but we in the field also need to do a better job of disseminating treatments that work.

[Anonymous]

A sign that everyone loves her is proof that she is telling everyone what they want to hear! I am a LA native and stuff like that is far more prevalent there.

My parents had a floor installer who was truly terrible at his job but he complimented my sweet but insecure mother all the time - and she continued to recommend him! Lots of bad and uneven floors on the west side!!!

[Anonymous]

Lol...I am a psychiatrist, and one of my supervisors used to say that if your patients like you, then you must not be doing your job. No one really likes to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol...I am a psychiatrist, and one of my supervisors used to say that if your patients like you, then you must not be doing your job. No one really likes to change.

That’s good.
I’ve been to counseling for a period of time, once. And over that time:
-I liked my counselor because she got me the end result that I needed. I feel very comforted that she got me through it
-I didn’t like her and was irritated by her. Because she was probably irritated by my stubborn mind. And yes, I didn’t want to pare down my life, and I didn’t want to let go of stuff.
I’d really question myself if I just constantly loved everything about my therapist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really the “stars” but a well liked and respected child psychologist in our circle/area who everyone consults. She even runs new mothers groups. Everyone raves about this woman so I have consulted her several times. I slowly realized that I felt great after talking to her because she was telling me what I wanted to hear. And it turns out that she wasn’t even a true child psychologist but had a masters degree in marriage and family counseling.

I made a huge mistake based on her advice.

I wondered if this was an LA thing (we’re in Los Angeles) or if it happens all over.

Only in LA and only to you.

Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a clinical psychologist licensed in CA. I did research and saw patients in SoCal, and was always amazed at how few mental health providers there practiced evidence-based approaches (i.e., that have demonstrated efficacy in peer-reviewed research studies). Otherwise, you got a lot of junk science, and untested approaches touted by charismatic personalities.

It's really a shame, but we in the field also need to do a better job of disseminating treatments that work.

Clinical psychologist here, too. I'm now in my second state practicing (MD first and now TX) and really cannot wrap my mind around the amount of junk therapy going on. And yet, person after person enthusiastically recommends one of the same three practitioners who collectively provide zero evidence-based treatments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really the “stars” but a well liked and respected child psychologist in our circle/area who everyone consults. She even runs new mothers groups. Everyone raves about this woman so I have consulted her several times. I slowly realized that I felt great after talking to her because she was telling me what I wanted to hear. And it turns out that she wasn’t even a true child psychologist but had a masters degree in marriage and family counseling.

I made a huge mistake based on her advice.

I wondered if this was an LA thing (we’re in Los Angeles) or if it happens all over.

What wrong things was she telling you?

[Anonymous]

It happens here all the time. If you think DC egos are any smaller than LA egos you are dead wrong.

Especially when it comes to parenting. Look at this forum - all the parents do everything right.