New Pathways

Frequently Asked Questions

What are "core beliefs"?

A core belief is a thought, conscious or not, that shapes how an individual views themself and how interactions with others are perceived. For example, the core belief, "I am inadequate," may lead someone to feel hesitant to try new things. It may cause a feeling of shame or anxiety after engaging in an activity, even if such an activity was successful. This core belief may cause them perceive the passing comments and actions of others as being veiled criticisms. It may even produce additional social anxiety.

What are "thought distortions"?

Thought distortions include common reasonings that feel valid but, in fact, lack evidence. A few examples include:

Catastrophizing
Filtering
Jumping to Conclusions
Discounting the Positive
Personalizing
All or Nothing

What are SMART goals?

SMART is an acronym for goals that are:

Specific - The desired outcome of the goal is clearly identified.
Measurable - The goal produces data that can be reviewed and tracked.
Achievable - The final goal must be realistic.
Relevant - The outcome should clearly align with what you want your life and health to look like in the future.
Time-bound - The goal must have a deadline.

What is neuroplasticity?

neu-ro-plas-tic-i-ty, noun.

“The ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience.”

In other words, your brain can continue to grow and change throughout your life. Have you ever heard the phrase, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? Well, forget that! The science says otherwise. Our brains are amazing, so stop limiting it by telling yourself, “I can’t change.” Not only can you change, but your brain will love it!

Is a CBT practitioner a therapist?

No. CBT practitioners are not licensed therapists. However, they follow the same therapeutic pattern and can help get similar results in about the same amount of time. CBT practitioners can also be helpful as an intro to therapy if you are nervous, providing affordable support while you search for the right therapist.

How long should I continue seeing a CBT practitioner?

The average program length is about 24 weeks. Of course, every person is different. Some take to the concepts very quickly or already have habits which will lend themselves well to CBT, such as journaling. Others may need a little longer. For example, studies indicate that neurodivergent individuals do very well with CBT training but require more time to process the methods being taught. Still, once you have it, you have it! Once you have learned these skills, they can be applied to any situation in life. Of course, you are always welcome to come back for a check-in anytime you feel it is needed.

How much do sessions cost?

A sliding scale of pricing is available. Please contact me for a free consultation where we can discuss which option will work for you.

How are sessions held?

Sessions are held via video-conference. They should be scheduled 5 days in advance either one at a time or in 4-week blocks via Calendly. Once scheduled, you will receive an appointment confirmation email with a Google Meet link. Each session lasts about 1 hour and follows a similar format. We will cover 2-3 agenda points relevant to your goals, decide on a helpful CBT exercise that you can apply during the week and review the progress from the previous week's exercise.

Can I pay using insurance?

At this time, we are not set up to accept insurance payments.

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