Dr. Christine Cox

I’m Dr. Christine Cox, a therapist in Long Beach. I work with people who want something to change in their relationships, their sense of self, or both, and who want a therapist who will engage honestly rather than just nod along.

You might be the one everyone calls when something goes wrong. You get things done, you show up, and people tell you how together you seem. Meanwhile you’re exhausted in a way sleep doesn’t fix, you feel strangely far from the people closest to you, and you’re not sure what you’d want if you let yourself ask. That gap between how your life looks and how it feels is where much of my work happens.

I’ve been practicing for 5 years and hold a Master’s and PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University. I see clients in person at my Long Beach office and by telehealth. If you’re not sure whether we’d be a good fit, a first conversation is an easy way to find out.

I’m warm, but I’m also curious and straightforward. I ask real questions, and I tell you what I’m noticing, even when it’s not what you expected to hear. Therapy with me tends to be a conversation, not a performance of progress.

I pay attention to patterns: how you handle conflict, what you do when you need something, who gets your energy and who gets what’s left. Often the habits that make you reliable and successful are the same ones keeping you stuck or worn down. We look at those honestly, without judgment, and figure out what you want to keep and what you’re ready to change.

You set the pace and the direction. I won’t hand you a worksheet and call it a day, and I won’t let us coast in comfortable small talk either

Our first session is mostly a conversation. I’ll ask what brought you in now, what’s been weighing on you, and what you’d like to feel different. You don’t need to have it organized or know exactly what to say. Starting in the middle of the mess is fine.

I’ll also tell you a bit about how I work, answer any questions you have about me or the process, and be upfront if I think I’m not the right fit. By the end, you should have a sense of what working together would look like and whether it feels right to you.

You’re welcome to meet in person at my Long Beach office or by telehealth, whichever feels easier.