Frequently Asked Questions

We specialize in the treatment anxiety symptoms and the focus of our treatments tends to be on the amelioration of anxiety symptoms. However, we provide clinical services for individuals presenting with an array of problems, including depression, family discord, bereavement, medical conditions, eating disorders, mania and psychosis, as well as common anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and specific phobias.

Yes. Individuals who currently have a substance use disorder are not eligible for treatment until they maintain sobriety for a 6-month period (180 days). As well, individuals who are presently at risk to engage in behavior that poses an imminent danger to themselves or others are not suitable candidates for treatment.

Anxiety symptoms occur across cognitive, emotional/physiological and behavioral domains. Cognitive symptoms include racing thoughts, inability to concentrate, excessive concerns about being judged by others or dangerous situations, and worry. Emotional and physiological symptoms may involve stress, dry mouth, abdominal discomfort/disturbance, light-headedness, chills or hot flashes, and sensations of tightness in one’s throat. Behavioral symptoms include avoidance of feared situations, procrastination, asking others for reassurance, carrying “safety” objects, and hyper-vigilance (excessive searching for signs of danger). Of course, we focus not only on the amelioration of these (and other) symptoms, but helping our patients to increase their wellbeing and functioning in life. .

Fear is a healthy response that all human beings have to a real threat (e.g., the “fight or flight” response). By contrast, anxiety occurs when people have a fear response in situations where it is not necessary to be afraid. People say "fear of flying" or "fear of heights" but in truth these are both anxieties, as typically there is little to be truly afraid of when it comes to planes and enclosed high places.

We provide cognitive-behavioral therapy and tend to be more behavioral than cognitive in our approach. This means that treatment involves identifying and changing maladaptive patters of behavior that can perpetuate and exacerbate symptoms over time, as well as increasing healthy, functional patterns of behavior. Our clinical approach is present-focused - patients are encouraged to identify what they can do right now to change how they feel. Hence, treatment is generally relatively short in duration (5-20 sessions). Cognitive-behavioral therapy is seen as a collaborative enterprise between therapist and patient and treatment is therefore conducted face-to-face. As such, while we do have a couch in our office to provide comfortable seating for families and/or groups of patients, it's extremely unlikely that you'll lie down on it during your sessions.

Anxiety is highly treatable. Consistent evidence suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective, and recent research suggests that effects are long lasting with continued practice. After a course of treatment, patients can always come back for "booster" sessions. But who couldn't use a reminder every once in a while to engage in healthy, adaptive behaviors?

Recent research suggests that spirituality and religion can be relevant to mental health for many people, and further that many individuals prefer that spirituality be woven into their psychological treatment. To meet this need, we make it a priority to assess for patient spirituality. However, as with all of our practices, integration of spiritual content into treatment is done at the patients’ discretion. As such, those who prefer a non-spiritually-based approach are provided with standard treatment.

Our clinical services are psychosocial and behavioral in nature and medication is therefore not prescribed. However, we routinely work with a number of local psychiatrists and can facilitate a referral when appropriate. We are also happy to coordinate our treatment efforts in conjunction with patients’ current psychopharmacology prescribers.

In most cases the answer is yes. In fact, many of our patients receive ongoing supportive psychotherapy or marital therapy and come to our office for a few sessions of specific, focused behavioral treatment of their anxiety symptoms. We are happy to discuss the possibility of collaborating with your current therapist upon request.

Unlike many other psychotherapies, we are not a "bottomless pit" as our treatments don't go on for longer than necessary. Consequently the total cost of treatment is generally a fraction of what it might be in other settings. Currently, the fee for an initial assessment ranges from $200-$350. Fees for individual sessions range from $100-$250 for 60-minutes or $150-$300 for 90-minutes sessions (note: the duration of individual sessions is scheduled in advance in accordance with each patient’s treatment plan - there are no surprise fees or charges). Fees for group sessions are $50-100/session. Fees for intensive treatments are assessed on a case-by-case basis prior to treatment and typically range from $500-$2500 total (not including initial assessment). For our Family Consultation Track, fees are $250-350 for an initial 60-90 minute consultation (in-person or via Skype/telephone) and $100-250 for 60-minute follow-up meetings. All treatment fees are subject to change.

At present we do not accept 3rd party insurance payments, however we have a National Provider Identification Number and patients can receive up to 75% reimbursement depending on out-of-network mental health benefits. We are happy to provide patients with insurance receipts for all treatment received as well as supporting information and documentation to assist in receiving reimbursement. It is recommended that you check with your insurance company prior to receiving treatment in order to determine to what degree treatment fees will be reimbursed.

Yes, the initial assessment is necessary for all patients. This involves a telephone screen, structured diagnostic interview, computer-based assessment, and face-to-face meeting (total time 60-90 minutes). Following this assessment, you will be provided with treatment recommendations, which could include a course of individual, group and/or in intensive CBT.

Group treatments are now common practice in the fields of mental and even physical health. All patients who sign up for a group must commit to keep the identity of their fellow patients confidential. Everyone is in the same boat, so people tend to be very respectful of this rule. Moreover, group treatments focus on the acquisition of skills to help ameliorate symptoms of anxiety. As such, patient self-disclosure is generally minimal.

Interestingly, although patients come in with different symptoms there is often a lot of overlap in what is helpful to different patients. Furthermore, patients in groups can learn from each other. Nevertheless, group treatments are preceded by an individual consultation with each patient to determine a tailored approach to follow throughout group treatments, and we carefully screen all patients to determine if they are suitable for group treatment.

As of January, 2013 we do provide clinical services for individuals under 18 years of age. In addition, our Family Consultation Track provide guidance for parents in how to identify contextual factors which may contribute to childrens' symptoms.

We are happy to accomodate home visits as well as out-of-office sessions for our patients.

Clinical fellows may be involved in the intake process including the administration of structured diagnostic interviews. Trainees also play a role in co-leading group treatments. In order to provide more affordable clinical services, clinical fellows are available to see patients for individual and intensive treatment at a reduced rate ($100-150/session). The Center's director (David H. Rosmarin, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist) is personally involved in all treatment planning, progress monitoring, and directly supervises all clinical services