1. Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley
Credentials: Laura L.C. Johnson, MA, MBA, LMFT #48807, LPCC #47. One of the few therapists in California dual-certified in Cognitive Behavior Therapy by the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies and Advanced Certified Schema Therapist.
Specialization: Anxiety disorders, OCD, social anxiety, panic disorder, personality struggles, perfectionism.
Therapy Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Graduate of the year-long extramural program at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Completed three certificate programs in OCD treatment through the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at University of Pennsylvania and the IOCDF Behavior Therapy Training Institute.
Populations Served: Adults throughout California seeking specialized CBT and schema therapy. Clients from San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego seek out this practice.
Background: Founder and Director of the practice. Author of “Social Anxiety For Dummies.” Board member of the National Social Anxiety Center. Serves as NSAC regional representative for Silicon Valley/San Jose. Holds master’s degrees from Santa Clara University and Columbia University. Unique combination of clinical training and Columbia MBA with corporate experience.
Insurance Accepted: Contact practice for insurance and fee information.
Session Format: In-person sessions at Campbell office (near San Jose). Online video therapy available throughout California.
Location: 900 East Hamilton Avenue, Suite 100, Campbell, CA 95008 (San Jose area)
Contact: (408) 384-8404 | https://cognitivebehaviortherapycenter.com
Initial Consultation: Request appointment through website to discuss treatment needs.
2. Willow Anxiety and OCD
Credentials: Team of licensed psychologists, post-doctoral fellows, and licensed therapists/master’s level associates specializing in anxiety and OCD treatment.
Specialization: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), OC spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, perfectionism, Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID/very picky eating), perinatal OCD/anxiety/depression.
Therapy Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE).
Populations Served: Adults, children, and teens. Perinatal clients for OCD, anxiety, and depression (added 2024). Practice hiring child and teen specialists.
Background: Specialized, niche practice in the San Francisco Bay Area focused exclusively on anxiety and OCD spectrum disorders. CBT and ACT are heavily researched, cutting-edge methods shown to work especially well with practice’s target areas of expertise.
Insurance Accepted: Contact practice for insurance and fee information.
Session Format: In-person and telehealth sessions available.
Location: San Jose/Bay Area, CA
Contact: https://www.willowcbt.com
Initial Consultation: Contact through website to learn about services and schedule consultation.
3. Palo Alto Therapy
Credentials: Team of licensed therapists specializing in evidence-based treatment for anxiety, OCD, and depression.
Specialization: Anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, low self-esteem, stress management.
Therapy Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD. Practice emphasizes that traditional talk therapy is not enough for OCD.
Populations Served: All ages including adults, adolescents, and children. Individuals and families.
Background: Practice serving Menlo Park and San Jose areas with commitment to evidence-based methods for anxiety and depression treatment.
Insurance Accepted: Contact practice for insurance and fee information.
Session Format: In-person sessions at Menlo Park and San Jose locations. Telehealth available.
Location: Menlo Park and San Jose, CA
Contact: https://www.paloaltotherapy.com
Initial Consultation: Contact practice to discuss concerns and schedule initial session.
4. Caitlyn Oscarson CBT Therapy
Credentials: Caitlyn Oscarson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Master’s degree in clinical psychology. Practicing since 2009.
Specialization: Anxiety disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), chronic worry, intrusive thoughts.
Therapy Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT) for OCD, Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Advanced training in ERP and related modalities.
Populations Served: Busy professionals, new parents, and students struggling with anxiety or OCD.
Background: Before starting private practice in 2021, worked at specialty anxiety/OCD group practice, community mental health, and school settings. Specializes in treating OCD with structured, specialized approaches beyond general talk therapy.
Insurance Accepted: Contact practice for fee information. Out-of-network provider.
Session Format: In-person sessions at Campbell office. 100% online therapy available throughout California.
Location: Heritage Village Offices, Campbell, CA (near San Jose)
Contact: https://www.caitlynoscarsoncbt.com
Initial Consultation: Use client information form on website to share information. No-obligation phone screen available.
5. Dr. Andrew Gottlieb, Clinical Psychologist
Credentials: Andrew Gottlieb, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist. BA from Yale College, PhD from University of Washington, internship at Palo Alto VA Hospital, postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford Medical School (Health Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Techniques).
Specialization: Anxiety, depression, OCD, stress, marriage and couples problems, broad range of issues facing adults and older adolescents.
Therapy Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), short-term and longer-term treatment approaches.
Populations Served: Adults and older adolescents seeking focused, goal-oriented treatment.
Background: Over 20 years in private practice helping people. Has trained hundreds of professionals in providing cost-effective counseling skills. Consultant for Kaiser Permanente Health System, Stanford Pain Medicine Clinic, and many other behavioral health organizations.
Insurance Accepted: Contact practice for insurance and fee information.
Session Format: In-person sessions in Palo Alto area. Works collaboratively with clients on short-term strategies.
Location: Palo Alto area serving San Jose, San Francisco, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Los Altos, Redwood City, Sunnyvale, San Mateo
Contact: https://cambridgetherapy.com
Initial Consultation: Email Dr. Gottlieb to learn more about short-term CBT.
Mental Health Industry in California
Average Therapy Session Costs
Individual therapy sessions in San Jose and Silicon Valley range from $175 to $350 per session depending on the provider’s credentials and experience. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) typically charge $175 to $250 per session. Licensed Psychologists with doctoral degrees generally charge $225 to $350 per session. Psychiatrists may charge $300 to $500 for sessions including medication management. Couples therapy sessions typically range from $200 to $400. Silicon Valley therapy costs are among the highest in California, reflecting the region’s high cost of living.
State Licensing Requirements for Psychologists
To practice as a licensed psychologist in California, professionals must complete a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) from an accredited institution. Candidates must accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience, with at least 1,500 hours completed after receiving the doctoral degree. Two examinations are required: the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination (CPLEE). Pre-licensure coursework is required in six areas: human sexuality, alcohol and chemical dependency, child abuse assessment, partner abuse assessment, aging, and long-term care. The California Board of Psychology administers licensure with biennial renewal fee of $795. License renewal requires 36 hours of Continuing Professional Development every two years.
Telehealth Regulations
California permits licensed psychologists to provide telehealth services to clients located within the state. California is a member of PSYPACT (Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact), allowing psychologists with E.Passport credentials to practice telepsychology across member states. Providers must use HIPAA-compliant platforms and obtain informed consent specific to telehealth services.
Mental Health Parity Laws
California’s Mental Health Parity Act requires health insurers to provide coverage for mental health conditions equal to coverage for physical health conditions. The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) applies to group health plans. California’s Network Adequacy Standards require insurers to maintain sufficient mental health provider networks.
Professional Organizations
The California Psychological Association (CPA) represents psychologists statewide, offering continuing education, advocacy, and professional resources. The Santa Clara County Psychological Association provides local networking for Silicon Valley practitioners. The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) supports licensed marriage and family therapists.
Workforce Availability and Wait Times
Silicon Valley has a substantial mental health workforce, though high demand from tech industry professionals can extend wait times. Wait times for new patients typically range from two to six weeks depending on the provider, specialty, and insurance acceptance. Specialized services such as OCD treatment or psychological assessment may have longer wait times.
Common Mental Health Concerns
In the San Jose/Silicon Valley region, commonly treated conditions include anxiety disorders (including performance anxiety), depression, burnout and work-related stress (particularly in the tech industry), imposter syndrome, perfectionism, relationship difficulties, and adjustment disorders related to high-pressure careers and cost of living stress.
State-Funded Mental Health Resources
Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services provides mental health services to residents regardless of ability to pay. The County operates crisis services and outpatient treatment programs. California’s Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) funds community mental health programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect to pay for therapy in San Jose without insurance?
Private pay rates in San Jose and Silicon Valley typically range from $200 to $300 per 50-minute session with a licensed therapist. Sessions with doctoral-level psychologists generally cost between $225 and $350. Silicon Valley therapy costs are among the highest in the state due to the high cost of living. Many therapists offer sliding scale fees based on income.
How do I find a therapist who understands tech industry stress?
Many San Jose/Silicon Valley therapists have experience working with tech professionals and understand issues like burnout, imposter syndrome, performance anxiety, and work-life balance challenges common in the industry. When contacting therapists, ask about their experience with professionals in high-pressure careers.
What is Schema Therapy and how is it different from CBT?
Schema Therapy works at a deeper level than traditional CBT, addressing personality struggles and deep emotional patterns that keep anxiety and OCD repeating their cycles. While CBT focuses on current thoughts and behaviors, Schema Therapy addresses the root causes and early life experiences that shape patterns. Some Silicon Valley practitioners combine both approaches.
Are there specialized OCD treatment programs in San Jose?
Yes, several San Jose area practices specialize in OCD treatment using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is considered the gold standard treatment. The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley, Willow Anxiety and OCD, and Caitlyn Oscarson CBT Therapy all offer specialized OCD programs with advanced training in ERP and related approaches.
What is the National Social Anxiety Center and are there local representatives?
The National Social Anxiety Center (NSAC) is an association of independent clinics with certified cognitive-behavioral therapists specializing in social anxiety. The Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Silicon Valley/San Jose serves as the regional NSAC clinic, with Laura Johnson as the clinic representative and NSAC board member.