At the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center, we specialize in evidence-based treatments for adults, children and teenagers with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders. We are unique in that we follow the full CBT model and use the specific scientifically-based protocols for each of the problems we treat. For more information about how CBT is unique, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Brief Overview of Policies

Insurance

The CBT Center is an “out-of-network” provider. We are not associated with any network panels and do not participate in Medicare. Most PPO insurance plans provide some level of reimbursement for seeing an out-of-network therapist. Since every plan is different, please contact your insurance company to discuss your benefits. As a courtesy, we may be able to submit your claims electronically so you don’t have to do the paperwork. For more information about insurance, see the Frequently Asked Questions about Insurance below.

Fees

The fees vary by therapist from $180 to $290 per 45-minute therapy session. The cost for the initial assessment session is higher. Please contact us by email for information about therapists and fees.

Cancellation Policy

We have a 48-hour cancellation policy.

Payment Methods

We accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover), checks and cash.

Frequently Asked Questions about Insurance

Do you accept my insurance?

This practice is not “in-network” with any insurance companies so we do not accept insurance directly. We do not participate in Medicare. Our practice is “out-of-network,” which means you would pay for your therapy sessions at the time of service and submit the claims to your insurance company for reimbursement. If you have mental health benefits that allow you to see an out-of-network therapist (often called a PPO), you may be able to receive partial reimbursement for therapy services. In addition, we may be able to submit claims electronically for you. Keep in mind that insurance companies will require that you have a valid mental health diagnosis and may limit coverage by diagnosis, procedure code or number of visits. In addition, you may need to meet a deductible before your insurance company starts to reimburse you and the percentage of reimbursement is usually based on an “allowable amount,” which may be lower than the actual fee charged. Please call your insurance company to review your benefits and obtain pre-approval (if required) before starting therapy.

What is the process for you to submit claims for me?

As a courtesy, we can submit claims electronically to most insurance companies if you have a PPO with out-of-network benefits. If your insurance company will allow us to submit claims for you electronically, then you won’t need to fill out the claims paperwork and the insurance company will send the reimbursement checks directly to you. While it can take up to 3-6 weeks to receive the first reimbursement check, we submit claims weekly. Once the process gets started, you should be receiving reimbursements on a regular basis. Since all plans are different, please contact your insurance company to find out about your benefits.

Your responsibilities are to:

• Call your insurance company before starting therapy to review your benefits and obtain pre-approval (if required).
• Pay for therapy sessions in full by credit card, check or cash at the time services are delivered.
• Provide us with information about your insurance plan so we can prepare the claims and submit them electronically on your behalf.
• Follow-up with your insurance company after the claims are submitted electronically if you have questions about your claim status and when you’ll get reimbursed.

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 and 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 CBT therapist with specialized skills and training, you may need to see a CBT specialist who is out-of-network.
  • 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 may be able to 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.

If you want to see an in-network therapist on your insurance panel, please call your insurance company for referrals.

For more information about CBT and our policies, see our Frequently Asked Questions page.