Frequently Asked Questions
Our Common FAQS:
We have a 48 hour cancellation policy, which means if you contact us to cancel a session 48 hours or more before the appointment, you will not be charged for the session. If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment, you will be charged the same amount for the session as if you attended.
No, CCG does not prescribe medication. However, we can recommend prescribers if needed and would be happy to work collaboratively with your prescriber.
At CCG, we don’t operate on a “first available” model. Our intake process is designed to understand your presenting concerns, therapy goals, and scheduling needs before recommending a specific clinician. Each therapist at CCG holds a defined specialty area — whether that’s trauma, eating disorders, couples work, or DBT — so matching is based on clinical fit, not calendar availability. You’ll speak with an intake coordinator who will guide this process and answer any questions before your first appointment is scheduled.
Treatment length varies depending on your goals and the modality used. Because CCG specializes in evidence-based, goal-oriented therapies — such as CBT, EMDR, and ART — many clients experience meaningful progress within a defined, time-limited framework rather than open-ended treatment. For example, EMDR for a specific trauma may resolve in 8–12 sessions, while a comprehensive DBT program typically spans 6–12 months. Your therapist will outline a recommended treatment plan during your initial sessions so you know what to expect.
Therapy (or psychotherapy) is a licensed clinical service that addresses mental health conditions, emotional dysregulation, trauma, and behavioral patterns. It is provided by licensed clinicians (LCSWs, LPCs, Psychologists) and is regulated by state licensure boards. Coaching, by contrast, is not a licensed profession and typically focuses on goal-setting and performance — rather than diagnosing or treating psychological conditions. CCG’s clinicians are licensed therapists. We do offer Enneagram Coaching as a complementary service, which is distinct from our clinical therapy offerings.
No referral is required to begin therapy at CCG. You do not need a formal diagnosis — in fact, many clients come to us before any diagnosis has been made. Our intake process helps identify what you’re experiencing and which of our clinicians and approaches is the best fit for your specific needs.
Under the No Surprises Act, all patients receiving out-of-network mental health services are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate (GFE) — a written summary of expected costs before treatment begins. At CCG, we provide this proactively. If you’d like to understand the estimated cost of your care before committing, simply ask your intake coordinator and we will provide one in advance of your first session.
Insurance Questions
The Counseling Center Group is an out-of-network provider. We don’t work directly with insurance, but our services may be covered by out-of-network benefits for mental health if that is part of your plan. Check the details of your individual plan to see what your coverage is for out-of-network services.
While in-network providers can be good options for specific cases, there are several advantages to working with OON providers:
1. Greater Control Over Your Treatment
In-network providers are limited by the constraints of what your insurance plan will agree to provide coverage for. These constraints may dictate session frequency, duration, or service type. In contrast, OON providers like CCG can tailor treatment plans to meet your specific needs without insurance interference.
2. Access to Specialized, Evidence-Based Treatment
At CCG, all of our providers are trained in the gold-standard of treatments that they provide. Specialized modalities, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), may not be available treatments within your plan’s network. Or, when they are, providers may not meet adherence standards required for effectiveness.
3. Shorter-Term Timelines and Investments
When using evidence-based modalities, treatment is generally more goal-oriented and short-term than traditional talk therapy. These quicker results not only save your time, but also may reduce longer term costs of untreated mental health conditions.
4. Transparent and Predictable Costs
Insurance billing can run on an unpredictable timeline and with varying frequency. At CCG, we charge the business day after each session, reducing surprises and helping you budget accordingly.
5. Shorter Wait Times with the Best Fit
In-network providers often have long waiting lists due to limited availability which may lead you to opt for the first therapist who is available. At CCG, priority is matching you with the provider who is the best fit for you as quickly as possible.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not OON services are right for you is a personal decision based on the services you need, the experience you’re looking for, and your unique financial situation. If you do decide that CCG is the best choice, you can be sure that you’re receiving the care you need from the highly-qualified provider you choose, without insurance interference. While all therapy is an investment, your wellbeing is worth your commitment. We welcome you to speak to one of our intake coordinators to answer any questions you may have and empower you to make the choice that is best for you.
Are there any other options for me to seek additional insurance coverage?
Some insurance providers allow members to apply for a higher level of coverage/reimbursement, depending on their specific case and what options are available in-network. You can find additional resources about these requests below. If you have further questions, our business development manager can offer consultation.
Some insurance providers allow members to apply for a higher level of coverage/reimbursement, depending on their specific case and what options are available in-network. You can find additional resources about these requests below. If you have further questions please feel free to contact us.
A Superbill is an itemized receipt provided by an out-of-network provider — like CCG — that contains the diagnostic and procedure codes your insurance company needs to process a reimbursement claim. After each session (or monthly, depending on your preference), CCG can provide a Superbill that you submit directly to your insurance carrier. Reimbursement rates vary by plan. Many CCG clients receive partial reimbursement — often 40–80% of the session fee — after meeting their out-of-network deductible. We recommend calling the member services number on your insurance card and asking: “What are my out-of-network mental health benefits, and what is my deductible?”
DBT Questions:
Adherent to the Linehan DBT model, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment program that consists of weekly individual therapy, weekly DBT Skills Group, phone coaching between sessions when needed, and your therapist’s weekly participation in a DBT Consultation team. To learn more about DBT, click here.
Our therapists at CCG would conduct an assessment for you and determine if it is possible for you to continue with your individual therapist while participating in the DBT program. In most cases, clients who are already working with another therapist are good candidates for our EFP program. In the EFP program you will learn DBT skills in a group setting, and you will be able to utilize sessions with your individual therapist for additional support in conjunction with the skills taught in EFP. The first step is for a therapist to conduct an assessment to determine the best treatment for each client.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment that was originally designed to help individuals create a life worth living. Comprehensive DBT programs are complex and require full adherence to the Linehan model, which demands extensive training, time, effort, and dedication to the adherent model. A true DBT program requires participation in all four components of comprehensive DBT:
- Weekly Individual Therapy
- Weekly DBT Skills Training in a group setting
- Phone Coaching between sessions
- Therapist participation on a Consultation Team
The Emotion Fitness Program (EFP) is a lower-intensity alternative to DBT that combines psychotherapy and DBT skills work, and doesn’t require commitment to a full DBT program. This program allows for skills to be taught based on individual needs instead of moving through specific stages of treatment. Everyone can benefit from learning DBT skills and principles. EFP is a great option for individuals who do not fully meet the criteria for requiring DBT and do not have suicidal and/or self-harming behaviors. Individuals who are experiencing suicidal and/or self-harming behaviors should seek comprehensive DBT instead.
DBT Skills Group takes 25 weeks to cover all 4 modules, which translates to about 6 months. We consider this one full “cycle” of DBT. Some clients benefit from completing two cycles of DBT Skills Group in order to fully master the skills. We will help you determine the best timeline for your treatment.
Phone coaching is a component of comprehensive DBT that focuses on providing clients with the opportunity to call their individual therapist in between sessions in order to be coached on skills needed in the present moment. Phone coaching helps clients effectively cope or manage difficult situations or crises when urges to engage in harmful behaviors are extremely high.
No, this can be a common misconception before understanding the way phone coaching truly works. When you begin working with your individual therapist, you will be provided a phone coaching agreement with specific boundaries for phone coaching in thorough detail. Phone calls are brief, typically 10 to 15 minutes max. Once the current situation is briefly described by the client, the therapist will converse about skills that have been tried and review other possible helpful skills to try. It is important to remember that phone coaching is not meant for solving or analyzing a crisis, but to assist clients in getting through a crisis without utilizing ineffective or harmful behaviors.
Treatment Questions:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based therapy developed by Francine Shapiro to help individuals process and reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories. During EMDR, a trained therapist guides the client through bilateral stimulation — typically eye movements — while the client briefly focuses on a distressing memory. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory so that it loses its emotional charge. EMDR is most commonly used to treat PTSD, trauma, and anxiety, and research supports its effectiveness in significantly fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy. Learn more about EMDR at CCG →
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an evidence-based psychotherapy model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz that understands the mind as made up of distinct “parts” — each with its own perspective, feelings, and role. Rather than viewing conflicting thoughts or emotions as problems to eliminate, IFS helps clients develop a relationship with each part from a place of curiosity and compassion. The goal is to access the “Self” — a core state of calm, confidence, and clarity — from which healing can occur. IFS is used to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, and complex relational patterns. Learn more about IFS at CCG →
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a newer, structured evidence-based therapy that uses bilateral eye movements — similar to EMDR — to help clients rapidly process and resolve distressing memories and images. Where ART differs is in its use of a technique called Voluntary Image Replacement, in which the client actively chooses to replace a disturbing mental image with a positive one, giving them more direct control over the resolution process. Many clients experience significant relief in as few as 1–5 sessions. Like EMDR, ART is particularly effective for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and phobias. Learn more about ART at CCG →
The Gottman Method is a research-based approach to couples therapy developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman over four decades of relationship science. It identifies specific communication patterns — such as criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling — that predict relationship breakdown, and replaces them with tools for connection, conflict resolution, and shared meaning. The Gottman Method is not exclusively for couples in crisis. Many couples use it proactively to strengthen communication, navigate transitions like parenthood or career changes, or rebuild after a period of disconnection. Learn more about the Gottman Method at CCG →
Group Therapy Questions:
In order to enroll in a group, you will complete an intake session with the group leader and will receive an orientation to the group before joining. To enroll in a group, please email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call: 1-888-604-6776
Our groups meet once a week for 90 minutes.
Each of our groups are offered at different days and times in order to accommodate scheduling needs for our clients. To learn about our group schedule, please e email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call 1-888-604-6776
The Counseling Center Group™ offers adolescent groups, adult groups, and multifamily groups. There are typically about 5-10 participants in one group at a time. The feedback we receive from group participants is that they most appreciated being part of a group with people from different backgrounds and life stages. We also believe that the experience is most beneficial for our clients when there is diversity in all aspects of identity.
General Questions:
Anxiety can present differently for everyone. A general definition of anxiety is when you experience excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Anxiety can also present through physiological symptoms, such as a tight chest, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, sweating, fatigue, or a lump in your throat. If you’re experiencing anxiety, our therapists are here to help. To get started, contact us via email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at 1-888-604-6776
Depression can present differently for everyone who experiences it. Clinical depression is a mental health disorder that is characterized by having consistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy. Depression can cause a number of symptoms, including a change in sleep, appetite, energy, ability to focus, self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. Depression can lead to a significant impairment of daily life, and we’re here to help. If you’re experiencing depression and seeking help, email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at: 1-888-604-6776
Depression can present differently for everyone who experiences it. Clinical depression is a mental health disorder that is characterized by having consistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy. Depression can cause a number of symptoms, including a change in sleep, appetite, energy, ability to focus, self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. Depression can lead to a significant impairment of daily life, and we’re here to help. If you’re experiencing depression and seeking help, email info@ccgrouptherapy.com, or call us at 1-888-604-6776
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder that influences the way an individual feels and thinks about themselves and others, which can lead to difficulty with activities of daily living. Some symptoms of BPD include:
- Patterns of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships
- Fear of abandonment
- Identity disturbance/instability/distortion
- Self-damaging impulsivity
- Feelings of emptiness
- Intense anger/lack of control of anger
- Stress-related dissociation or paranoia
- Recurrent self-mutilating behavior, suicidal ideation, or suicidal behavior.
BPD typically develops by early adulthood. DBT has been proven to be a highly effective treatment for individuals diagnosed with BPD. If you have been diagnosed with BPD or experience some of the previous symptoms and are seeking a more fulfilling life, CCG is here for you.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that may develop after an individual experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. PTSD can also occur from learning a close family member or friend experienced a traumatic event, or from experiencing repeated/extreme exposure to aversive details of a traumatic event. Not everyone who witnesses or experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD.
Triggers from the traumatic event can bring an individual back to the memories of that moment with extremely intense physical and emotional symptoms. PTSD may also lead to nightmares, anxiety, depression, and avoidance of triggers. More specific symptoms are listed below:
- Recurrent and intrusive memories of the event that are involuntary and distressing
- Recurrent distressing dreams with either the content or affect of the dream are related to the event
- Dissociative reactions, or flashbacks, in which an individual feels as if the event were reoccurring in real time.
- Psychological distress from exposure to internal or external triggers symbolizing or resembling the event
- Avoidance of triggers; either by avoiding distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings or avoidance of external reminders (people, places, conversations, objects, activities, situations) that may cause distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings associated with the event
PTSD may last for a few months or years. Our therapists at CCG offer various effective trauma-based therapies to help you heal.
Individuals with emotional dysregulation experience intense emotions frequently and for long periods of time. This can inhibit one’s ability to have full control over their emotions, ability to problem solve in order to reduce anger or anxiety, and use of proper coping skills. Emotional dysregulation can lead to behavioral problems that may interfere with interpersonal relationships at home, school, or work.
Individuals who experience emotional dysregulation can develop behavioral dysregulation due to having difficulties accepting their emotional responses. Behavior dysregulation may include:
- Self-harm behaviors
- Suicidal ideation
- Suicidal attempts
- Substance abuse
- Impulsivity
These dysregulatory behaviors aim to temporarily decrease current emotional distress in the moment. However, these behaviors are not efficient for long-lasting positive change.
Welcome to the Counseling Center Group — we’re so glad you’re here. Taking the first step toward a life worth living is something to be proud of. You might be curious about what your first in-person appointment will involve, so we’ve put together quick overviews for each location to help you feel more comfortable and prepared.
Maryland
Washington, D.C.
Virginia
New York
New Jersey
- Red Bank, NJ
- Cedar Knolls, NJ
- Springfield, NJ
Florida
The titles reflect different graduate training paths and licensure, not necessarily a difference in therapy quality or effectiveness. A Psychologist (PhD or PsyD) typically holds a doctoral degree and may provide psychological testing in addition to therapy. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) holds a master’s degree in social work with supervised clinical hours. A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) holds a master’s degree in counseling. At CCG, what matters most is that each clinician is deeply trained in the specific modalities they practice — and that you’re matched to the right specialist for your presenting concerns, regardless of credential type.
High-functioning anxiety isn’t a formal clinical diagnosis, but it describes a pattern that many people recognize in themselves: persistent worry, over-preparation, difficulty delegating, and an inability to truly rest — even when life looks successful on the outside. People with high-functioning anxiety often appear driven and capable, which makes the internal experience easy to dismiss. Over time, the chronic activation of the stress response takes a real toll on relationships, physical health, and quality of life. CBT, ACT, and DBT-based skills are among the approaches CCG therapists use to address this pattern. Explore anxiety treatment at CCG →
Yes. CCG offers therapy for children, adolescents, and families. We provide DBT for Children (DBT-C), DBT for Adolescents (DBT-A), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), PEERS (a social skills program for neurodiverse youth), and SPACE Therapy, which is designed to help parents reduce their child’s anxiety by modifying family accommodation patterns. Our intake process will match your child with a clinician who specializes in their age group and presenting concerns.