The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center specializes in the evidence-based treatment of Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders. We provide practical, goal-oriented therapy for adults, children and teenagers for OCD and Anxiety. In addition, we offer CBT Online Video Therapy in other parts of California for adults for mild to moderate cases of OCD and anxiety as well as for Schema Therapy. Below are answers to frequently asked questions by our clients and potential clients.
Are you accepting new clients?
We currently have a waiting list. We have several therapists at the CBT Center and will match you with a therapist based on their specialty area and availability. If you have a specific preference and we can’t accommodate you right away, we will put your name on our waiting list and contact you as soon as an appointment becomes available.
What is unique about CBT?
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) includes the following components that make it different from other forms of talk therapy:
- Goal-Oriented: Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a practical, goal-oriented therapy. Unlike traditional therapy, CBT is directly focused on the problem(s) you identify in order to help you reach your goals as efficiently as possible.
- Effective: CBT has been shown in hundreds of research studies to be effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders, sleep problems and many other issues.
- Structured: CBT is a structured form of therapy with homework assigned in between sessions in order to help you learn to be your own therapist. Every session follows an agenda including mood update, homework review, session topics, new homework and feedback.
- Active and Experiential: In CBT, you will learn techniques to change your thinking and behaviors in order to gain new confidence and coping skills. You will engage in exercises during the session such as learning to respond more realistically to unhelpful thoughts, engaging in roles plays and exposures during the sessions and setting up exposures and behavioral experiments for you to complete in between sessions.
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a strict 48-hour cancellation policy to cancel or reschedule sessions. The full fee is charged if you cancel or reschedule with less than 48 hours notice, including for the initial assessment session as well as regular appointments. In order to cancel or reschedule an appointment, you must notify your therapist at least 48 hours in advance of your appointment. Once an appointment is scheduled, you will be expected to pay for it unless you provide 48 hours advance notice because we reserve a specific block of time for you and do not schedule anyone else at that time.
Do you accept my insurance?
This practice is not part of any in-network insurance panels and does not participate in Medicare. However, if you have a PPO or similar plan that allows you to see an out-of-network therapist, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement of the therapy fees. Since every insurance plan is different, we can’t tell you what your benefits are but clients who get reimbursed tend to receive anywhere from 25% to 70% of the fee allowed by the insurance company. Please contact your insurance company to verify whether you have benefits to see an out-of-network therapist and to obtain pre-approval (if required). Visit our Insurance page for additional information.
What is different about the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center?
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 keep up with the research on what works for problems in our focus areas and we incorporate the best practices for CBT including agenda setting, CBT case conceptualization, results tracking, cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, behavioral experiments and assigning homework. All therapists at the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center receive weekly training and consultation in CBT to ensure we are delivering CBT with the greatest fidelity possible to the evidence-based protocols yet tailoring and personalizing CBT to your individual needs and style.
Why should I consider going out-of-network for CBT therapy?
While it can seem less expensive to see an in-network, insurance-based therapist, there are several benefits to seeing an out-of-network CBT specialist:
- Adherence to CBT Model: Most in-network, insurance-based therapists are generalists and not trained in the evidence-based protocols of CBT. As described earlier, CBT is a highly sophisticated type of therapy and requires extensive knowledge and training to execute effectively. Most therapists have only received a little bit of CBT training in graduate school or taken a couple of CBT workshops. As a result, most therapists integrate a few aspects of CBT into an eclectic framework but do not follow the entire CBT model.
- Specialized Skills: There are very few certified and highly trained CBT therapists in the Silicon Valley who follow the evidence-based practices for anxiety, and OCD. If you are looking for a therapist with specialized skills and training, you may need to see a CBT specialist.
- Results-Oriented: CBT is structured, targeted and scientifically-based and research indicates it gets better results than supportive talk therapy. If you have specific goals, CBT may be a more effective investment of your time and resources.
- Insurance Coverage: If you have a PPO or similar plan, your insurance benefits may cover a significant portion of the cost of therapy with an out-of-network therapist. Call your insurance company to verify your coverage and benefits.
- Electronic Claims Submission: Unlike most out-of-network therapists, the CBT Center can submit claims electronically for you after every session and the insurance company will mail qualifying reimbursements directly to you. This saves you the time and effort of 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.
In spite of these benefits, if you still want to see an in-network therapist on your insurance panel, please call your insurance company for referrals.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards. Your therapist will securely maintain your credit card information to bill for therapy sessions and other professional services.
How often will I meet with my therapist?
Sessions are generally scheduled for once a week. Your therapist may suggest more intensive therapy depending on the nature and severity of your concerns. As you get closer to reaching your goals, the frequency of visits may be reduced.
How long does CBT last?
The length of therapy depends on how motivated you are and how much effort you put into practicing CBT skills in between sessions. The average client attends 12-20 sessions over 3-6 months to work on a specific goal or problem and you should be willing to commit to a minimum of 10 sessions to see progress. If you have more than one goal, or complex, long-standing problems, you may need longer-term cognitive behavior therapy to fully address your needs. We cannot predict how long therapy will take for you to make progress or guarantee a specific outcome. Visit Our Services page to learn about the different CBT programs we offer.
How do I make an appointment?
If you have additional questions or to schedule an appointment, please contact us by clicking here to send an email.