What is CBT Treatment?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a treatment model that helps clients learn the relationship between their thoughts, mood, and behaviors in response to different situations and how each influences the other. The goal of CBT is for the client to learn to manage intense emotions or negative thoughts in more helpful ways and to create new beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. It also aims to help the client learn to become their own therapist, which is why it is a short-term form of therapy.
What does homework mean in CBT?
Homework refers to tasks that the client does between therapy sessions that reinforce the skills learned in session. For example, a client may be given the homework assignment of doing a thought record to understand how difficult situations impact how they think, feel, and behave. They may also be tasked with practicing coping skills outside of session such as mindfulness activities, deep breathing, challenging negative thoughts, etc.
How long does treatment usually take?
The short answer is that it depends. CBT is meant to be a short-term form of therapy, meaning that most people will see results in 12-20 sessions; however, this can vary greatly depending on intensity of symptoms, compliance with treatment, medication management (if needed), and history. Your therapist should be able to provide more information on prognosis at the conclusion of the first session, but again, this can change.
Are parents involved in the therapy process for teens and children?
Parental/guardian involvement is essential to clinical work with minors; however, this may look different based on the child’s age, diagnosis, prior relationship with parent/guardian, and the stage in treatment. Our therapists are always open to addressing parental concerns in and out of session (during business hours) but the information disclosed will often depend on the child’s age. Safety related issues are always relayed to parents and this is always expressly discussed and negotiated with parents and teens in the first session.
Is this treatment confidential?
Yes, treatment is confidential and the therapist cannot confirm or deny you or your family member is even a patient without express written consent in the form of a Release of Information (ROI). If you or the therapist believes consulting with other professionals (previous therapist, psychiatrist, general practitioner, teacher) you or your family member are working with could benefit treatment, then this can be arranged with your permission (ROI). It can be incredibly helpful to coordinate care, but it is always up to you!
What is the fee structure?
The initial intake session (90791) is billed at $280, all other 50-minute sessions (90834) are billed at $240.
Do you accept insurance?
Unfortunately, we do not accept any form of insurance but we can provide a super bill (at your request) that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement if you have a PPO plan. We urge you to check with your insurance provider prior to beginning treatment to see if they provide any reimbursement and what the reimbursement rate is for codes 90791 (first session), and 90834 (all other 50 minute sessions). We do not bill any insurance companies and will only provide requested materials to the client/parent/guardian directly.
We do not accept insurance for several reasons, the most important being that insurance providers will often limit and direct treatment. As skilled, doctoral-level clinicians we believe that we, the professionals know what is best for our clients, not insurance company employees with no training or expertise in psychology. Ethically, we do not believe we can reasonably balance our client’s needs with the limits imposed by insurance companies.
Additionally, we are a small group practice and hope to stay this way to best serve our clients. Accepting insurance will take valuable time from clinical work, research, and training. We are not willing to sacrifice those vital aspects of our work to have a larger practice where we could be forced to compromise the quality of treatment we provide to fit a managed care model.
We understand that therapy is expensive and requires resources of not just money but time and effort. We also believe that it is a worthwhile investment.
What is the first session like?
The first session is referred to as the “intake session.” This is a fancy term for us asking you lots of questions about why you’re seeking treatment, what changes you’d like to see, what you’ve tried, and about your psychosocial history. For very young children the first session can be done without them present, but it is helpful for older children and teens to be present in the first session. At the end of the first session we will solidify your treatment goals, give an overview of CBT and if time permits, give you the first coping skill homework assignment and collect payment.
Feel free to ask questions of your therapist questions anytime.
What if I don’t click with my therapist?
If for any reason you do not feel like it is a good fit with your therapist, please do not hesitate to let them know. In some cases, it may take some time to get a rhythm going and in other cases you or the therapist may know that it is not a match. They will not be hurt or offended—the goal is to get you the help you are seeking whether it is in our practice or one of our colleague’s.
In some instances it may become clear that the client may need a higher level of care, or a therapist with a different set of skills. If this is the case, it is the therapist’s legal and ethical obligation to make this known to the client and to refer out. We try our best to screen clients for fit at the initial consultation call, but sometimes information is presented in an intake or future session that can necessitate referral to another provider. In these cases, we will make the transition as seamless as possible. In an effort to reduce the possibility of this, please try to be as open and forthcoming in the first call and intake session as possible, as it is our hope to help you find the right therapist for your goals, even if it isn’t us.
What if my child isn’t interested in therapy?
We have a motto here—“It’s a parents job to get their child into our office, but it’s our job to keep them here.” We know and understand a child, especially and adolescent may not be thrilled about coming to therapy. We are skilled at building rapport and trust with our clients, even those that are determined they do not need help. We go at the client’s pace and do not push them to go beyond what they feel safe and capable of doing in session.
Where are you located?
We are located in lovely in San Juan Capistrano between Junipero Serra and Avery Parkway exits on the Northbound side of the 5 Freeway.
Good Faith Estimate Table of Services and Fees?
Below lists fees for each CPT code, with descriptor. The number of sessions will be determined as we progress. Our regular hourly fee is $240, which is used for all prorated calculations indicated.
- CPT code: 90791 – Initial Diagnostic Evaluation – $280
- CPT code: 90832 – Psychotherapy, 16-37 minutes – $120
- CPT code: 90834 – Psychotherapy, 38-52 minutes – $240
- CPT code: 90837 – Psychotherapy, 53+ minutes – $240
- CPT code: 90839 – Psychotherapy for a Crisis (30-74 minutes) – $120 – $300
- CPT code: +90840 – Psychotherapy for a Crisis (add on code for each add’l 30 mins) – $120
- CPT code: 90846 – Family psychotherapy without patient present (50 minutes) – $240
- CPT code: 90847 – Family psychotherapy conjoint with patient present (50 minutes) – $240
- CPT code: 99215 – Other outpatient code (40-70 min) – $240
- CPT code: 99354 – Add-on Psychotherapy (30-74 minutes) – $120 – $300
- CPT codes 98966-98968 – Telephone Assessment & Management (>10-15 min) – Prorated based on the amount of time spent at hourly rate
- CPT codes 98970-98972 – Online Digital Evaluation & Mgt (responding to email, >10-15 min) – Prorated based on the amount of time spent at hourly rate
Cancelation Fee – Your therapist requires 24 hours notice of a cancellation/reschedule or you will be charged for the full fee for the session. You are responsible for this fee.
Legal Fees – $500 per hour
**Please note that Place of Service (in office vs. telemental health) is not delineated above as the charges are identical.
Total Estimate: This Good Faith Estimate explains your therapist’s rate for each service provided. Your therapist will collaborate with you throughout your treatment to determine how many sessions and/or services you may need to receive the greatest benefit based on your diagnosis(es)/presenting clinical concerns.