EL SEGUNDO HERALD September 2, 2021 Page 5
Your Neighborhood Therapist
Dear Neighborhood Therapist,
I have been going through a lot lately
and I am interested in seeing a therapist
or talking to someone about it, but I have
not called one because I am afraid of being
diagnosed with some “mental illness” that
will go on my permanent health record and
could affect me in ways I don’t know in
the future. I don’t feel like there is anything
wrong with me at all; I just want a little
bit of extra support during this time when
I happen to have a lot going on in my life.
Is there anything I can do to avoid getting
caught up in the system?
– Annoyed But Mostly OK, El Segundo
Dear Annoyed,
Your question stood out to me because
it points to a major problem with the way
we think about the work of counselors and
therapists.
You are right to be miffed at the emphasis
on diagnosis. This is a systemic problem
that stems largely from the field of psychology
trying to imitate the field of medicine.
Many insurance companies expect therapists
to identify a diagnosis, in the same way
doctors do.
But it’s not the same. Part of the problem
is the term “mental health,” and the fact
that we tend to think of “mental health” as
a personal responsibility. By doing so, we
ignore the enormous impacts that our surroundings
have on how we feel. Are there
times when simple actions we take could
positively or negatively affect the way we
feel? Absolutely. But in the same way that
sometimes people get sick because they are
breathing polluted air, or get injured when
they are in an accident, people can be made
to feel miserable by the culture around them
and the things that happen to them.
On top of that, popular culture tends to
assume that being “mentally healthy” means
feeling good most of the time. I think that’s
not just wrong, but ridiculous. That definition
of healthy would mean that a person who
is bullied at school should just stop feeling
so awful. It would mean that women in
Afghanistan would only be mentally healthy
if they started feeling good about living
under Taliban rule. Other people find it is
more stressful to try to be happy than it is
to live with some sadness or discomfort. We
should respect their wishes, not pathologize
them. (If you are one of those people, you
are not alone!)
We need to find language to replace the
terms “mental health” and “mental illness.”
A therapist helps a person respond to
a set of circumstances and problems in their
life. That is not the same as being healthy
or ill.
The short answer to avoiding a diagnosis is
to avoid the insurance system. While not all
insurance companies require a diagnosis in
order to reimburse for mental health services,
many of them do. I’m sure I don’t have to
tell you that avoiding the insurance system
can make therapy unaffordable, and that this
is a real flaw in our system (yet one more
example of systems that cause people problems).
The good news is that there is quality,
affordable counseling out there. Please feel
free to reach out to me and I will give you
some referrals.
Please write to tom@tomandrecounseling.
com or text to 310.776.5299 with questions
about handling what is affecting your life,
your family, the community or the world.
Tom Andre is a Licensed Marriage & Family
Therapist (LMFT119254). The information
in this column is for educational purposes
only and nothing herein should be construed
as professional advice or the formation of a
therapeutic relationship. •
SB Swatik & Brandlin LLP
LAW
AT T O R N E Y S AT L AW
Lifetime El Segundo Resident
Living Trusts, Wills, Estate Planning
Probate and Trust Administration
310-540-6000
www.sbtrustlaw.com
*AV Rated (Highest) Martindale - Hubbell / **Certified Specialist Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
Police Reports
Monday, Aug 23rd
A petty theft report was taken at 0745 from
the 300 block of South Aviation Boulevard.
The suspect entered the victim’s unlocked
vehicle and stole his property.
A burglary (vehicle) report was taken at 0827
hours from the 200 block of Sheldon Street.
A laptop was taken from the victim’s vehicle.
A vandalism report was taken at 1053 hours
from the 800 block of East Grand Avenue.
Unknown suspect(s) shattered the victim’s
vehicle window.
A vandalism report was taken at 1158 hours
from the 200 block of West Oak Avenue. The
suspects wrote graffiti and put toilet paper
all around the outside of the victim’s home.
A criminal threats report was taken at 1228
hours from the 400 block of Main Street. The
suspect threatened the victim.
One male adult was arrested at 1945 hours
from the 700 block of South Pacific Coast
Highway for petty theft.
A stolen vehicle report was taken at 2126
hours from the 800 block of North Pacific
Coast Highway. Taken was a 2012 Kia Rio.
Tuesday, Aug 24th
One male adult was arrested at 1025 hours
from the 2100 block of Mariposa Avenue for
vandalism and battery.
A stolen vehicle report was taken at 1200
hours from the 300 block of Main Street.
Taken was a 2014 Mercedes Benz GLK350.
An identity theft report was taken at 1412
hours from the 100 block of Main Street.
Unknown suspect(s) stole over $6000.00 from
the victim’s bank account
An identity theft report was taken at 1545
hours from the 300 block of Main Street.
One male adult was detained at 1734 hours
from the 1800 block of East Sycamore Avenue
and transported to Harbor General Hospital
for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation
A burglary (residential) report was taken
at 2028 hours from the 1400 block of East
Grand Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) entered
the victim’s residence and stole his property.
One male adult was arrested at 0104 hours
from the 800 block of South Douglas Street
for driving a stolen vehicle and possession of
a controlled substance.
A grand theft report was taken at 0451 hours
from the 400 block of Main Street. Unknown
suspect(s) stole the victim’s catalytic converter
from his vehicle.
Wednesday, August 25th
A burglary (auto) report was taken at 0600
hours from the 800 block of South Douglas
Street. Unknown suspect(s) broke into the
victim’s vehicle and stole her laptop and wallet.
A petty theft report was taken at 1137 hours
from the 700 block of South Pacific Coast
Highway. Miscellaneous items were taken
from the business.
A burglary (vehicle) report was taken at
1422 hours from the 200 block of Lomita
Street. Unknown suspect(s) stole miscellaneous
items from the victim’s vehicle.
A vandalism report was taken 1451 hours
from the 300 block of South Douglas Street.
Unknown suspect(s) sprayed graffiti on an
electrical power box.
One male adult was arrested at 1711 hours
from Hyperion Way and Vista Del Mar for
driving a stolen vehicle and one Inglewood
P.D. misdemeanor warrant
A peeking into a home report was taken
at 1751 hours from the 400 block of West
Imperial Avenue. The suspect peeked into
the victim’s residence.
A misdemeanor hit and run report was taken
at 1908 hours from the 700 block of East
Grand Avenue, vehicle versus parked vehicle
An injury report was taken at 1958 hours
from the 300 block of Sierra Street. A female
adult fell on the sidewalk.
One male adult was arrested at 0123 hours
from Imperial Avenue and McCarthy Court
for possession of a controlled substance
One male adult was arrested at 0248 hours
from El Segundo Boulevard and Illinois
Street for drunk in public and one LAPD
misdemeanor warrant.
Thursday, August 26th
A grand theft report was taken at 0834 hours
from the 500 block of East Walnut Avenue.
Taken was the catalytic converter from the
victim’s vehicle.
A grand theft report was taken at 0914
hours from the 400 block of Sierra Street.
Taken was the catalytic converter from the
victim’s vehicle.
A stolen vehicle report was taken at 1025
hours from the 500 block of North Pacific
Coast Highway. Taken was a Hyundai Sonata.
One male adult was arrested at 1243 hours
from the 2nd Street in Manhattan Beach for
driving a stolen vehicle.
A grand theft report was taken at 1307 hours
from the 1400 block of East Grand Avenue.
Taken was the catalytic converter from the
victim’s vehicle.
A lost/stolen license plate report was taken at
1416 hours from the 300 block of Main Street.
One male adult was arrested at 2313 hours
from the 400 block of East Imperial Avenue
for possession of a controlled substance.
One male adult was arrested at 0453
hours from the 500 block of Main Street
for possession of a controlled substance and
one outstanding Manhattan Beach Police
Department misdemeanor warrant.
One male adult was arrested at 0450 hours
from the 300 block of North Pacific Coast
Highway for being under the influence.
Friday, August 27th
A traffic collision (no injuries) report was
taken at 0652 hours from Maple Avenue and
North Pacific Coast Highway, vehicle versus
vehicle.
A fraud report was taken at 0852 hours
from the 2200 block of East Maple Avenue.
An identity theft report was taken at 0955
hours from the 600 block of Whiting Street.
See Police Reports, page 11
Love Thy Neighbor
Dear El Segundoans,
The Herald staff and I only know so many El Segundoans,
but we want to learn about more of you. With 8,000
residents, we’re sure there are some gems we may have
overlooked or not been aware of them. Do you have an
interesting friend, neighbor or student? With most of El
Segundo sports and events on hold, we are looking to do
more El Segundo residents’ profiles. All you have to do
is ask their permission and send us
their contact information. Of course,
if you find yourself fascinating, send
us your information too.
– Best to you all. HM.
Send your suggestions in
to letters@heraldpublications.com
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the backbone of
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make sure its a cut above the rest
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