Thoughts can shape how you feel and what you do next. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps adults and teens notice unhelpful thought patterns and practice new ways to respond in daily life. Meet at our Scottsdale office or ask about secure video with select therapists in Arizona, New York, or Hawaii.
Most people have a thought that comes back more often than they’d like. It may be a worry, a harsh thought about yourself, or something that leaves you feeling sad or angry.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is talk therapy with a practical side (you may leave each visit with something to try). Together, you and your therapist will look at how your thoughts, feelings, and actions affect each other.
We’ve cared for Scottsdale adults, teens, and families since 2012. You can see us in our office on East Shea Boulevard, and select therapists also offer secure video visits in Arizona, New York, and Hawaii.
CBT grew out of the work of psychiatrist Aaron Beck and psychologist Albert Ellis in the 1960s and early 1970s. Both started from the idea that how we think about an event affects how we feel and what we do next.
At Pathways Counseling Services, our therapists use this idea in everyday situations. Your therapist can help you notice the thoughts behind a hard moment and how they connect to what you feel and do. It may take a few tries to notice them as they happen, and that’s okay.
CBT may not fit everyone. Not sure yet? Your therapist can talk with you about other options at our practice.
You may find yourself thinking “what if” again and again during the day, or lying awake with those thoughts at night.
In CBT, you and your therapist look at what sets off your anxiety, and you’ll practice new ways to respond to it.
Some low moods pass in a few days. Others last for weeks.
Your therapist may start with small steps, such as going back to one activity you’ve set aside. (A short walk counts.) Over time, you may notice the thoughts that lower your mood and look at them more closely.
Some people talk to themselves in a way they would never talk to a friend.
Your therapist can help you slow down those thoughts and check them against the facts. Together, you may work on a response that is more balanced and fair to you.
It’s natural to stay away from things that make you anxious.
CBT often includes gradual practice, where you and your therapist plan small steps toward something you’ve been avoiding. What feels possible this week? You help decide which step comes first and how fast to go.
Frustration is a normal feeling. Everyone gets angry at times.
Some people notice early signs before they lose their temper, such as a tight jaw or a racing thought. You and your therapist will look at those signs and the situations behind them. Then you’ll plan a few things to try in those moments; your therapist will also address harmful behavior and safety concerns.
Your first visit is a time to get to know each other. This visit is 75 minutes long. You can talk about what has been hard lately and what you hope will change.
After that, you and your therapist work together. You know your own life best, and your therapist listens, asks questions, and suggests new ways to look at things.
Visits often start with a short check-in about your week (good parts included). Then you and your therapist choose one situation to look at together.
You don’t have to decide everything on your first visit. You and your therapist choose what fits, and the plan can change over time. Your therapist may introduce approaches such as these.
CBT takes some effort. The practice steps are meant to fit your week, and you can tell your therapist when something feels like too much. Your therapist will look at your thoughts and help you explore them more deeply.
The free 15-minute call is a chance to ask questions. You can talk about what you’re hoping for. Some of our therapists also offer dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), if another approach fits your needs better.
You choose who you work with. Take the time you need, since it helps to feel at ease with the person you’ll be trying new things with.
Visit our team page to read about each therapist’s license, training, and who they work with. Our therapists who offer CBT may also use other approaches that fit your needs.
If your therapist doesn’t feel like a good fit, let us know. We can help you look at other options.
For video visits, your therapist must be allowed to provide care in the state where you are during each visit. We’ll check which therapists can see you before you book.
Your first visit is 75 minutes and costs $285 to $490, based on your therapist. Later visits cost:
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Ask us about your therapist’s hours.
You’ll find us at 8414 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Select therapists also offer secure video visits for clients in Arizona, New York, or Hawaii.
To book, schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation or call (480) 639-5559.
Some people meet for a few months, and others meet longer or come back when a new concern comes up. You and your therapist will set goals early and check on them together as you go.
No. CBT can help you look at a thought fairly and check it against the facts. It may also help you cope with things you can’t control and take steps to solve problems you can change.
Yes, and it’s common. Tell your therapist what medicine you take and how long you’ve been taking it. Talk with your doctor before you stop or change any medicine.
Select therapists offer video visits when you’re in Arizona, New York, or Hawaii, and we’ll check which therapists can see you there. You may be able to switch between video and office visits, depending on your needs and your therapist’s schedule. Read more about our online therapy.
Some teens connect with CBT’s practical focus on the present. Your therapist will explain your child’s privacy and your role as a parent. Our teen therapy and child therapy pages explain how we work with each age group.
Privacy is part of every visit, in our office and by video. Your therapist will explain what stays private and when safety concerns or the law may require them to share information.
Each one has its own focus. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) grew out of CBT and adds skills for strong emotions, acceptance, and relationships. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy for distressing memories, and our founder, Stephanie Levitt, is EMDRIA Certified.
Tell your therapist if something isn’t working for you. Together, you can talk about what’s getting in the way and decide what to change, such as the plan, the pace, or the approach.
We do not accept insurance. You pay us directly for your care. We can give you a special receipt called a superbill. You can send it to your insurance plan to ask if it will pay back part of the cost. Check with your plan first. Not all plans cover CBT.
Our visits are scheduled ahead of time, so we can’t respond to emergencies as they happen. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
We offer scheduled therapy visits. We do not provide emergency care. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
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