What are Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBTs)?

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBTs) are based on the assumption that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interrelated. In treatment, we observe unhelpful or ineffective patterns of thinking and acting that keep you feeling stuck. CBTs focus more on the present moment than the past, but honor how your history shapes your view of the world. Sessions tend to be active and collaborative, with a great deal of back and forth between us. A CBT session might involve problem-solving, recognizing painful thoughts that "hook" you over and over, facing your fears with support, role-playing a difficult conversation, or using mindfulness techniques to address anxiety.

 

Because the majority of your life is lived outside of the therapy office, CBTs often build in between-session exercises. For instance, we may practice a specific skill together and then focus on applying that skill over the course of the week, in different contexts and settings. In our practice of CBTs, we aim to flexibly draw from a variety of interventions (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Motivational Interviewing, Habit Reversal Training, and other compassion and mindfulness-based approaches) to help you move toward a life of value and meaning. 

 

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What can I expect in therapy?

 

Prior to our first session, we will schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation, where we can talk more about what you are hoping to gain from treatment. If we decide to move forward, we will meet for an initial intake appointment. We will discuss current symptoms or difficulties, past treatment experiences, relevant history, and goals for our work together. The first few sessions give us time to assess our "fit" and make sure that we can meet your needs. We will also give some initial recommendations. As we move into treatment, sessions are typically scheduled once per week. Intensive sessions (90 minutes) are available on a case by case basis.  

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The type of therapy we practice is highly collaborative, meaning that we work as a team. We are here to help you increase awareness, learn new ways to relate to difficult thoughts and feelings, and take actions to move towards what matters to you. In this process, we strongly believe that you are the expert on your own experience, and we have a great deal to learn from you as well. Your role in the therapy will be critical to its success. While you will likely derive some value from our weekly meetings alone, the people who benefit the most from CBT and ACT are those who take the skills and practice them regularly in their daily life. Much like learning a new language or instrument, regular practice and consistent use of the skills is essential for mastery, and therapy is much the same. If you experience difficulties in bringing our therapy practices into your daily life, we can work together to address obstacles or motivational issues that get in the way. 

 

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How long does therapy last?

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This depends on the needs of the client. The therapy we do is goal-directed with regular check-ins on progress towards those goals. 

 

In some cases, people may need a short-term course of therapy to learn a concrete set of tools to enhance their functioning. A clear, targeted goal like this can often be achieved over the course of 4-6 months to a year, if the person regularly attends therapy and puts the skills into practice outside of session.

 

In other cases, people may seek more intensive or longer-term treatment to address an anxiety and mood disorder that is significantly impairing their daily functioning, or there is a more complex constellation of issues to target. In these cases, therapy may be a longer-term process; however, we will still work with a clear set of goals and direction.

 

Over time, some clients may start to space out sessions to every other week or once per month as they become more comfortable and able to practice the skills independently. Our hope is that, over time, clients learn tools to help them begin to act as their own therapist, so that they ultimately no longer need us. We believe that having clear goals established, regularly assessing progress towards those goals, and using evidence-based treatments are all helpful in achieving this outcome.

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Where are you located?

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Our office is located in the heart of the Flatiron district of Manhattan. We currently only offer teletherapy sessions at our practice. Teletherapy sessions are held over video call using a HIPAA-compliant online platform.

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Do you accept insurance?

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We are considered out-of-network (OON) providers, and do not accept insurance directly. However, many people are eligible for some form of reimbursement for therapy services through out-of-network-benefits. If you wish to submit for reimbursement from your insurance company, we will provide you with the necessary documentation. It is recommended that you contact your insurance company prior to starting treatment to discuss your out-of-network coverage for mental health services.

 

Some clients may be unaware of out-of-network benefits that are available to them through their health insurance, and these OON benefits can sometimes cover a significant portion of treatment costs. Here is a list of questions that you can ask your insurance provider to determine what out-of-network benefits are available to you:

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• Do I have out of network benefits?

• What percentage do you cover for “out of network” mental health providers?

• Do you provide reimbursement for out-of-network providers when using a 90834 Code?

• What is the amount of my deductible? Have I met my annual deductible yet? If not, how much has been met?

• What is the number of visits that I’m covered for? Do you have any limitations regarding number of sessions that are covered for an outside network provider? Is there a maximum amount you reimburse per visit or per year?

• Do I need a particular diagnosis to get coverage for treatment?

• Do I need a pre-authorization? If so, how do I obtain it?

• Is there a claim form that I must use to submit for reimbursement? How much time do I have to submit a claim after my session? How long does it typically take to get reimbursed?

• Are there any other requirements in order to receive out of network benefits for these sessions?

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What are your fees? 

 

We offer a range of fees based on the training and experience of our clinicians. All of our clinicians are committed to offering high quality evidence-based care. During our phone consultation, we will discuss our current fees. Payment is due at the time of service.

 

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What is your cancellation policy?

 

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let us know within 48 hours. If we are able to reschedule our appointment within the same week, there is no charge. However, please note that if we are unable to reschedule, you are responsible for the cost of your session.

 

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How do I get started? 

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You can reach out for more information through any of the following: 

• Requesting a free phone consultation via the Contact Form 

• Call (929) 400-7663

• Email flatironcbt@gmail.com 

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We know that finding the right therapist takes a lot of time and effort on your part. ​We try to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours during regular business hours. We also offer a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss what you are looking for in therapy and to tell you a bit more about our approach to treatment.