Can you tell me more about CBT?

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a treatment approach that has been developed, evaluated, and successfully used for a variety of mental health conditions and with a broad range of populations. Researchers and clinicians have found it to be a powerful way to manage anxiety and OCD for children, adolescents, and adults. We personally find CBT to be approachable for most patients and families, practical in the strategies it offers, and adaptable.

CBT typically begins with psychoeducation about the problem or symptoms and practice identifying and labeling emotions. It often includes some combination of behavioral exposure/response prevention, tools to modify unhelpful thinking patterns, coping skills, and relaxation strategies. While CBT is principle-driven, the way that we practice is not rigid nor do we strictly follow a manual. Our psychologists are thoughtful about how to put together a therapy approach that best meets the needs of our patients.

If you’re interested in reading more, check out our Resources page.

How many sessions of therapy do you recommend?

It depends! CBT-based treatments are typically structured and goal-focused. Much of the time, we are able to make significant progress in weekly therapy within 3-6 months. Of course, this varies based on the complexity of symptoms and the commitment to practicing the skills learned in therapy. Speak to your individual therapist about what kind of timeline they think is reasonable to expect improvement in, while also taking into account your family’s goals and circumstances.

My child experiences some mental health challenges other than anxiety. Would they still be a good fit for HARBOR?

We know that anxiety frequently co-occurs alongside other issues as well, often those related to attention, mood, and difficult behaviors. Though anxiety and OCD-spectrum conditions are our primary specialties, we have training and experience with a broad range of psychological conditions. Please contact us so we can discuss whether the services offered by our psychologists would be a good fit for your needs.

Do you work with individuals over age 18?

Absolutely. While the majority of patients we serve are children or adolescents, many of us regularly work with young adults and adults as well.

Do you offer any telehealth options?

Our providers are pleased to be able to offer HIPAA-compliant telehealth services as part of their array of clinical services. Research has demonstrated that telehealth sessions (e.g., phone or video conferencing) can be just as effective as in-person appointments in many cases. Patient and public safety is of paramount importance to us. At this time, clinicians are individually determining their policies around their provision of in-person services in the context of the COVID-19 public health crisis, and these are subject to change. Individual clinicians are happy to answer more specific questions about their ability to provide you with telehealth or in-person services.

Do you prescribe medication?

As clinical psychologists, our degrees and backgrounds do not permit us to prescribe medication. Medication may or may not be appropriate for the patients with whom we work. If we think it would be helpful, we would be happy to provide you with a referral to a specialized medical provider (typically a child psychiatrist) for a consultation. There are a number of excellent providers with whom we work closely in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Do you offer psychoeducational or neuropsychological testing?

Our psychologists specialize in psychological evaluations and psychotherapy. We do not offer such testing services. However, we can refer you to nearby providers who are experts in this area.

How does billing work?

Rates for services are consistent across the psychologists at HARBOR. However, each psychologist manages their own billing independently. Payment is due at the time of the appointment, and accepted methods of payment vary by therapist. Your individual therapist will discuss with you what forms of payment they accept.

Do you accept insurance?

Psychologists at HARBOR are considered out-of-network providers for all insurance plans. Plans vary in the degree to which they offer reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services. If requested, we are happy to provide statements for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement purposes.

Do you offer any reduced-fee therapy options?

We have advanced doctoral students in psychology who work under the close supervision of HARBOR psychologists. These clinicians-in-training offer evaluations and therapy at reduced rates. If interested, please contact us for more information.

Is there parking available near your office?

Ardmore: There is free lot parking at the building.

Center City: There is very limited availability of metered street parking in front of the building. However, there are a number of garages nearby, with several of the closest being at 1500 Locust Street, 220 South 15th Street, and 1615 Chancellor Street. We are also located one block from the NJ PATCO train station (15/16th Locust St. stop) and approximately one block from the Broad Street Line (Walnut-Locust stop).