How common are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders affect more than 19 million men and women in the United States and are also common
among children and adolescents. In fact, anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychological
disorder in America, effecting people in all walks of life.
What are common symptoms of anxiety?
Physical symptoms may include:
abdominal discomfort, diarrhea/nausea, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, tightness or pain in chest,
shortness of breath, dizziness, frequent urination, difficulty swallowing, trembling, numbness, light-
headedness, chills or hot flashes, tight-throat or choking sensation
Psychological symptoms may include:
insomnia, irritability or anger, inability to concentrate, fear of madness, feeling unreal and not in control of
your actions, worry and feeling uneasy, increased stress, sadness or depression, dread, racing thoughts
Behavioral symptoms may include:
AVOIDANCE, asking for reassurance, taking others along when you go out, looking around for signs of
danger, carrying “safety” objects, tensing muscles, rituals
Types of thoughts may include:
"I can’t handle this!”, "I will: collapse, go insane, become ill, be harmed by (or harm) someone, lose control,
(etc.)”, “This will never get better!”
Isn't anxiety normal?
Yes. In fact, anxiety is hard-wired into us as a way to protect us from danger. Anxiety can also be called a
"fight or flight response" which means that when we perceive danger, our bodies give us the rush of energy we
need to deal with the situation. Sometimes, however, we have "false-alarms" where the fight-or-flight response
is triggered in the absence of true danger. When this occurs frequently, causes significant distress, and
diminishes our social or vocational effectiveness an anxiety disorder may be the cause.
How much does treatment cost?
These services may be partially paid for by some health insurance policies:
SERVICE FEE (as of 05/04/2009)
Initial Diagnostic Evaluation-Intake) 200.00
Individual Psychotherapy (20-25 mins.) 75.00
Individual Psychotherapy (45-50 mins.) 130.00
Individual Psychotherapy (75-80 mins.) 175.00
Do you accept insurance?
Dr. Goodman is an in-network provider for Blue Cross of California, Aetna, First Health/Coventry, and
Medicare. He also works with a number of clients with other insurance plans as an out-of-network provider.
Managed care organizations may negotiate a "single-case-agreement" with Dr. Goodman for their members
who lack appropriate in-network treatment alternatives.
It is important for you to check with your insurance company prior to receiving treatment in order to
determine to what degree, if at all, the service or treatment will be reimbursable. Whether insurance will pay
depends upon (among many other factors) whether a diagnosis of a psychological disorder is warranted and
the degree to which your insurance company feels this is a medical "parity" diagnosis. Certain disorders, such
as a phobia, may not be considered a "parity"diagnosis. Insurers generally reimburse less for this.
Who is NOT appropriate for this treatment?
People with active bipolar disorder, psychosis, suicidal ideation, or addictions need to receive treatment for
these conditions elsewhere prior to anxiety treatment. Likewise, people in crisis for problems unrelated to the
anxiety (even if it exacerbates the anxiety) may need to stabilize that crisis before anxiety treatment can
commence.
Also, having motivation for treatment is vital. Because ERP therapy requires a person to begin facing fears, it
can be challenging, especially in the early stages. Clients must be willing to initially experience greater
discomfort. Those who are "brought in" by a spouse or a parent to be "fixed" tend to not do as well as those
have internal motivation to manage their fears.
If parent and child have the same anxiety disorder, parents will likely need to treat their anxiety either prior to
or concurrently with their child's anxiety. Otherwise, it is like asking a smoker to give up smoking while
people smoke around them.
Anxiety may be caused by an underlying medical condition. See your medical doctor first to rule this out
prior to beginning treatment.
Can I continue to see my current therapist while undergoing anxiety treatment?
In most cases, the answer is "yes." If you are seeing a therapist for other life issues and that therapist is
willing to collaborate and is supportive of you receiving CBT/ERP than it may be fine to see both therapists.
Insurance may not pay for you to see two therapists. It would be helpful to have your current therapist call
either to make the initial referral or to provide background into their treatment approach so far.
Anxiety disorders affect more than 19 million men and women in the United States and are also common
among children and adolescents. In fact, anxiety disorders are the most common type of psychological
disorder in America, effecting people in all walks of life.
What are common symptoms of anxiety?
Physical symptoms may include:
abdominal discomfort, diarrhea/nausea, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, tightness or pain in chest,
shortness of breath, dizziness, frequent urination, difficulty swallowing, trembling, numbness, light-
headedness, chills or hot flashes, tight-throat or choking sensation
Psychological symptoms may include:
insomnia, irritability or anger, inability to concentrate, fear of madness, feeling unreal and not in control of
your actions, worry and feeling uneasy, increased stress, sadness or depression, dread, racing thoughts
Behavioral symptoms may include:
AVOIDANCE, asking for reassurance, taking others along when you go out, looking around for signs of
danger, carrying “safety” objects, tensing muscles, rituals
Types of thoughts may include:
"I can’t handle this!”, "I will: collapse, go insane, become ill, be harmed by (or harm) someone, lose control,
(etc.)”, “This will never get better!”
Isn't anxiety normal?
Yes. In fact, anxiety is hard-wired into us as a way to protect us from danger. Anxiety can also be called a
"fight or flight response" which means that when we perceive danger, our bodies give us the rush of energy we
need to deal with the situation. Sometimes, however, we have "false-alarms" where the fight-or-flight response
is triggered in the absence of true danger. When this occurs frequently, causes significant distress, and
diminishes our social or vocational effectiveness an anxiety disorder may be the cause.
How much does treatment cost?
These services may be partially paid for by some health insurance policies:
SERVICE FEE (as of 05/04/2009)
Initial Diagnostic Evaluation-Intake) 200.00
Individual Psychotherapy (20-25 mins.) 75.00
Individual Psychotherapy (45-50 mins.) 130.00
Individual Psychotherapy (75-80 mins.) 175.00
Do you accept insurance?
Dr. Goodman is an in-network provider for Blue Cross of California, Aetna, First Health/Coventry, and
Medicare. He also works with a number of clients with other insurance plans as an out-of-network provider.
Managed care organizations may negotiate a "single-case-agreement" with Dr. Goodman for their members
who lack appropriate in-network treatment alternatives.
It is important for you to check with your insurance company prior to receiving treatment in order to
determine to what degree, if at all, the service or treatment will be reimbursable. Whether insurance will pay
depends upon (among many other factors) whether a diagnosis of a psychological disorder is warranted and
the degree to which your insurance company feels this is a medical "parity" diagnosis. Certain disorders, such
as a phobia, may not be considered a "parity"diagnosis. Insurers generally reimburse less for this.
Who is NOT appropriate for this treatment?
People with active bipolar disorder, psychosis, suicidal ideation, or addictions need to receive treatment for
these conditions elsewhere prior to anxiety treatment. Likewise, people in crisis for problems unrelated to the
anxiety (even if it exacerbates the anxiety) may need to stabilize that crisis before anxiety treatment can
commence.
Also, having motivation for treatment is vital. Because ERP therapy requires a person to begin facing fears, it
can be challenging, especially in the early stages. Clients must be willing to initially experience greater
discomfort. Those who are "brought in" by a spouse or a parent to be "fixed" tend to not do as well as those
have internal motivation to manage their fears.
If parent and child have the same anxiety disorder, parents will likely need to treat their anxiety either prior to
or concurrently with their child's anxiety. Otherwise, it is like asking a smoker to give up smoking while
people smoke around them.
Anxiety may be caused by an underlying medical condition. See your medical doctor first to rule this out
prior to beginning treatment.
Can I continue to see my current therapist while undergoing anxiety treatment?
In most cases, the answer is "yes." If you are seeing a therapist for other life issues and that therapist is
willing to collaborate and is supportive of you receiving CBT/ERP than it may be fine to see both therapists.
Insurance may not pay for you to see two therapists. It would be helpful to have your current therapist call
either to make the initial referral or to provide background into their treatment approach so far.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Coastal Center for Anxiety Treatment |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |