Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Teens & Adults in Pasadena, CA.
Life can be overwhelming. For teens, the pressures of school, social life, and finding their place in the world can lead to anxiety and stress. For adults, juggling career, family, and personal goals can often feel like a non-stop struggle against worry, burnout, or a persistent low mood.
If you or your teen feel "stuck" in patterns of negative thinking or behavior, there is a practical, effective, and evidence-based path forward.
Our practice specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) services for teens (12+) and adults in the Pasadena area.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a structured, skills-based approach to therapy that is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety, depression, and many other life challenges.
The core idea of CBT is that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are deeply interconnected. Rather than focusing on a single diagnosis, we utilize advanced, evidence-based methods like the Unified Protocol (UP). This transdiagnostic approach targets the core, underlying emotional processes that drive anxiety, depression, and stress.
Instead of just talking, we focus on doing. In a warm and collaborative environment, your therapist will act as a guide, empowering you with practical tools and strategies that you can use in your daily life to create lasting change.
A clear path forward for teens & adults.
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CBT for teens (ages 12+)
The teenage years are a time of immense growth, but they can also be incredibly challenging. We provide a non-judgmental space for your teen to be understood. Our clinicians use evidence-based CBT to help teens manage:
• School stress and academic anxiety
• Social anxiety and perfectionism
• Depression and low self-esteem
• OCD and specific phobias
• Difficult life transitions
Our goal is to equip your teen with practical coping skills and a "toolbox" of techniques to build resilience, confidence, and a healthier relationship with their thoughts and emotions.
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CBT for adults
Whether you are facing a specific challenge or feel a general sense of being "stuck," CBT offers a clear path toward regaining control and finding relief. Our therapists partner with adults to address:
• Generalized anxiety and panic attacks
• Persistent worry and stress
• Depression, sadness, and lack of motivation
• Navigating difficult life or career transitions
• Insomnia and sleep-related issues
We help you break down overwhelming problems into smaller, manageable parts. Together, we will identify the patterns holding you back and develop a concrete, actionable plan to help you move forward.
A Specialized Focus: The Unified Protocol (UP).
For many patients, emotions themselves can feel like the problem. You may feel "too anxious" or "too sad," and the attempt to get rid of these feelings just makes them stronger.
Our practice specializes in the Unified Protocol (UP), a leading-edge CBT treatment developed at Boston University. The UP is a transdiagnostic therapy, meaning it is designed to treat the common, shared core of emotional disorders like anxiety, depression, and OCD.
Instead of learning one set of skills for anxiety and another for depression, the UP teaches you a single, unified set of skills to change your relationship with your emotions. You will learn how to:
• Understand the function of your emotions.
• Respond to strong feelings with more flexibility.
• Reduce unhelpful avoidance behaviors.
• Move forward with what you value in life.
This powerful approach equips you with a universal toolkit to manage difficult emotions, no matter what form they take.
Care That's Built Around You
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Expert, Evidence-Based Care
Our team is composed of highly-trained, compassionate clinicians who specialize in modern, evidence-based therapy. We share a deep commitment to the highest standards of care, ensuring your treatment is always guided by proven, effective, and up-to-date methods.
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A Focus on You
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. We partner with you to tailor the CBT process , creating a unique and flexible treatment plan that respects your specific personality, goals, and challenges. Our approach is structured, but never rigid.
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Your Care, Your Control
As a private-pay (out-of-network) practice, our focus is solely on you, not an insurance company. This ensures true confidentiality and means your care is never dictated by session limits or mandatory diagnoses. We provide a 'superbill' for you to pursue out-of-network reimbursement.
FAQs
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Individual therapy is $200 per session.
We are an out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance directly. This ensures your care is never dictated by an insurance company's session limits or mandatory diagnoses.
After you pay for your session, we will provide you with a "superbill" (a detailed receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We encourage you to check with your provider about your specific OON benefits.
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CBT and the Unified Protocol are designed to be short-term, skills-based therapies. While the total length of treatment is unique to each patient, a typical course of therapy is often 12-20 sessions. Our goal is to give you the skills to become your own therapist, not to keep you in therapy long-term. We will establish clear goals together and track your progress.
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This is an excellent question. The goal of the Unified Protocol is to provide you with the skills to "graduate" from weekly therapy and confidently manage your emotions independently.
However, "finishing" is a collaborative process. We offer "booster sessions" or less frequent "check-in" appointments to help you solidify your skills, navigate new challenges, and ensure you continue to feel supported long-term.
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Your first step is to book a 15-minute complimentary consultation call with a member of our care team. You can schedule your call directly using this link. During this call, we will listen to your needs, answer your questions, and determine if our therapy approach is the right fit for you.
“The confidence and peace of mind this process gave us is priceless. I can't say enough good things about their work and absolutely recommend them.”
— JESSICA P, PARENT
Meet our team
Your next step starts here.
Feeling 'stuck' or overwhelmed by your emotions is exhausting, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Our practical, evidence-based therapy is designed to give you the skills to manage strong emotions and build a more confident, fulfilling life. The team at Huntington Psychological Services is here to guide you.
Take the first step. Contact us today to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.