Anxiety & OCD Therapy

While insurance-based therapy may look cheaper, working with a CBT or Schema Therapy specialist for anxiety, OCD, or personality struggles can be a smarter investment:

• Specialized Expertise: Few therapists are certified in CBT protocols for anxiety and OCD, and even fewer are certified in Schema Therapy for chronic anxiety, depression and personality disorders.

• Results-Oriented Care: These evidence-based methods are structured to create measurable progress—often more effective than general talk therapy.

• Value for Your Time and Resources: Specialized therapy can help you reach your goals more efficiently than broad, supportive counseling.

• Possible Insurance Reimbursement: With a PPO or similar plan, you may still receive partial coverage. I can often submit claims electronically on your behalf to save you the hassle.

The first step is to schedule an Evaluation Session. This session includes completing questionnaires, reviewing the therapy agreement, and conducting a thorough assessment of your history and the issues that brought you to counseling. If we decide to move forward with treatment, we will collaboratively develop a plan including your goals for therapy and a strategy for change.

The treatment phase is the active phase of therapy. This stage involves learning new skills and thought patterns and trying out new behaviors to reduce negative symptoms and increase positive thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We will experiment with different techniques to discover what works for you.

Therapy is like climbing a mountain. You’ll have ups and downs and twists and turns on the road to recovery. If you keep trying, put in the effort, and don’t give up, you will see improvement. We will check in weekly to discuss progress in between session and make sure therapy is on track. We will periodically review your therapy goals to see if you are ready to reduce the frequency of sessions or end therapy. I recommend having a closing session before you end therapy.

CBT is usually short-term, lasting about 12–20 sessions (3–6 months) for most people. If you have multiple goals or more complex issues, it may take longer. Schema Therapy is typically a longer process—often one year or more—since it addresses deeper, long-standing patterns.

Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges before starting therapy. This provides an estimate to clients who are uninsured or not using insurance. It includes the fee per session and a projected yearly total, though actual costs may vary with number of sessions and other factors. You’ll receive a written estimate in my practice policies before starting therapy and whenever fees change. If your charges are $400 or more above the estimate, you may dispute it. For more information, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.

Research shows that video therapy is generally as effective as in-person care for anxiety, depression, and OCD with early evidence also supporting personality disorders. Many clients prefer video therapy because it’s easier to attend regularly and provides access to specialists outside their area. In-person sessions may still be better for young children or high-risk situations, but overall, video therapy is a proven and effective choice for most people.