What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?

CBT is a goal-oriented, evidence-based therapy that helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. It’s practical, structured, and designed to create real-life changes—often in a shorter time frame than other forms of therapy.

What is the process of starting therapy like?

• Step 1: Book a free consultation. We’ll talk about what you’re looking for and answer any questions. (Book Now button here)

• Step 2: During the consultation, we’ll help match you with the best therapist for your needs or confirm that your preferred therapist is a good fit.

• Step 3: If you're ready, we can book your first appointment and get everything set up during that call.

What can I expect in the first session?

Your therapist will gather background about your life, your goals, and what brought you in. You’ll leave with:

• A clear understanding of what we’ll be working on

• Initial recommendations

• Concrete steps to start making progress right away

How often will I come to therapy?

We typically recommend weekly sessions to start. This builds momentum and helps establish a strong foundation. Sometimes, we may recommend more frequent therapy and will discuss these options with you. 

As progress is made, sessions may become less frequent. The ultimate goal is for you to reach your goals and graduate therapy successfully.

How long does therapy last?

Many clients complete therapy in 8–20 sessions, though this varies by person and issue. We’ll discuss your goals and check in regularly about progress.

What kind of results can I expect?

Clients typically begin to notice progress within a few weeks. CBT is action-focused, so you’ll leave sessions with tools to apply right away. As therapy continues, we’ll track progress together, adjust strategies, and work toward long-term change.

Do you offer more intensive therapy? 

We do! Sometimes, it makes more sense to focus on intensive treatment over a shorter period of time. We create custom intensive programs depending on your needs. Please see our "intensive therapy" page for more information, or contact us! 

Where can I receive therapy?

• In-person sessions: Available at our office in San Clemente, right of the 5 freeway at Camino De Estrella. We have a private parking lot with ample parking.

• Telehealth: Available to clients located across California. Some of our therapists hold licenses in other states (currently including Indiana and Nevada). Please inquire if you are located outside the state of California.

What do I need to do to get started?

Just reach out - via the contact form, phone call, or by clicking "book now" to book a free 20 minute consultation. We will learn more about your needs and walk you through the next steps.

Do you take insurance?

We are an out-of-network provider. This means we don’t bill insurance directly, but:

• We provide superbills for you to submit for reimbursement

• Many clients are reimbursed for a portion of their therapy costs

• We’ve partnered with Mentaya, a tool that helps you check your benefits and estimate reimbursement

Why don’t you take insurance directly?

Working outside insurance allows us to:

• Offer longer, more personalized sessions

• Avoid limits imposed by insurance companies on number of visits

• Focus our time on training, collaboration, and care—not billing issues That said, we do our best to support you in navigating out-of-network reimbursement.

What ages do you work with?

We work with:

• Children (ages 2+ - please note that the younger the child, the more parent involvement and less direct work with the child)
• Teens (and tweens)
• Adults of all ages and phases of life
• Couples
• Families

Do you offer parent support?

Yes! Parent coaching is a key part of our approach for kids and teens, giving families tools to support progress at home. 

Can I choose my therapist?

Of course! If you have someone in mind, let us know. If not, we’ll help match you based on your needs and preferences.

Do you offer afternoon and evening hours? 

Absolutely. While availability varies from provider to provider, we understand the importance of having afternoon and evening appointments available to accommodate busy schedules. We also are flexible with daytime appointments as well, so we do our best to meet your needs.