Frequently Asked Questions

We currently have a waiting list. With several therapists at the CBT Center, we strive to match you with a therapist based on their area of expertise and availability. If you have a specific preference that we’re unable to accommodate immediately, we’ll add your name to the waiting list and notify you as soon as an appointment becomes available. 

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) stands out from traditional forms of therapy in several ways: 

• Goal-Oriented: CBT is practical and solution-focused, concentrating directly on the challenges you identify. The therapy is designed to help you achieve your goals as efficiently as possible. 

• Effective: Hundreds of research studies consistently show CBT’s effectiveness for treating anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders, sleep problems, and more. 

• Structured: Sessions follow a structured approach, including mood updates, homework review, discussion topics, and assignments for the following week—all aimed at helping you develop the skills to become your own therapist. 

• Active and Experiential: We will help you learn techniques to change your thinking and behaviors in order to gain new confidence and coping skills. CBT emphasizes active participation, including exercises during sessions such as reframing unhelpful thinking, role-playing, exposures, and creating behavioral experiments to complete outside of therapy. 

We maintain a strict 48-hour cancellation policy for rescheduling or canceling therapy sessions. If you cancel or reschedule with less than 48 hours’ notice—even for your initial assessment session—you’ll be charged the full session fee. This is because we reserve a specific time slot for you that cannot be offered to another client. To cancel or reschedule, please notify your therapist at least 48 hours before your appointment. 

Our practice does not belong to any in-network insurance panels and does not participate in Medicare. However, if you have a PPO or a similar plan that covers out-of-network therapists, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement of therapy fees. Reimbursement amounts vary but typically range between 25% and 70% of the fee, depending on your insurance provider. To determine your benefits, contact your insurance company and verify whether you’re eligible to see an out-of-network therapist.

CBT requires a high degree of formal training and continuing education since there are different types of CBT for different disorders, and CBT therapists need to stay abreast of the latest research. Many therapists say they “do CBT” but do not follow the entire evidence-based model. At the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley, we ensure: 

• Up-to-Date Research: We stay informed about the latest findings on effective treatments for problems in our focus areas. 

• Best Practices: We incorporate key elements of CBT protocols including agenda setting, CBT case conceptualization, results tracking, cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, behavioral experiments, and assigning homework. 

• Dedicated Training: All our therapists receive weekly training and consultations in CBT to ensure we are delivering CBT with the greatest fidelity possible with evidence-based practices while tailoring the approach to your individual needs and preferences. 

While in-network therapy may appear less expensive initially, there are significant advantages to choosing an out-of-network CBT specialist: 

• Adherence to the CBT Model: Most in-network therapists are generalists without extensive training in evidence-based CBT protocols. CBT is a highly sophisticated type of therapy and requires knowledge and training to execute effectively, and most therapists have only done a little bit of a workshop. Many integrate only a few aspects of CBT into an eclectic framework, rather than following the full CBT model. 

• Specialized Skills: Highly trained CBT specialists, particularly for anxiety and OCD, are rare in Silicon Valley. If you are looking for a therapist with specialized skills and training, you may need to see a CBT specialist. 

• Results-Oriented: CBT is designed to be structured, targeted, and scientifically backed. Research shows it leads to better outcomes compared to supportive talk therapy. If achieving specific goals is important to you, CBT may be a more effective option. 

• Insurance Coverage: With a PPO or similar health plan, your insurance may reimburse a significant portion of the cost for an out-of-network therapist. Check with your insurance provider to understand your benefits. 

• Electronic Claims Submission: Unlike other out-of-network therapists, the CBT Center electronically submits claims for you after every session. Reimbursements are mailed directly to you, saving you time and effort you’d otherwise spend filing claims yourself. Most out-of-network therapists will provide you with a receipt, and you’d still need to complete the paperwork to get reimbursed. 

If you prefer to see an in-network therapist, we encourage you to contact your insurance company for recommendations. 

Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards. Your therapist will securely store your credit card information to bill for therapy sessions and related professional services.

Sessions are typically scheduled weekly. Depending on the nature and severity of your concerns, your therapist may recommend more frequent sessions. As you progress toward your goals, the frequency of visits may gradually decrease. 

The duration of therapy depends on your level of motivation and effort in practicing CBT skills between sessions. On average: 

• Clients attend 12–20 sessions over 3–6 months to work on a specific goal or problem. 

• You should plan to commit to at least 10 sessions to start seeing progress. 

For individuals with more than one goal or complex, long-standing issues, longer-term CBT may be necessary to address their needs more fully. While we cannot guarantee a specific outcome, ongoing commitment increases the likelihood of success. Contact us today to explore the different CBT programs we offer.