Anxiety Disorders Center>> Anxiety Related Frequently Asked Questions

If I think I need help, what do I need to do first?
The first step is to contact the Intake Coordinator or toll free @ 877-245-2688 to schedule an initial consultation with an Anxiety Disorders Center therapist. The consultation can be done by phone and can be completed in one or two 45 minute calls. The purpose of the consultation is to determine appropriateness and readiness for treatment.

What makes the St. Louis Anxiety Disorder Program unique?
We receive consistent feedback from our patients, since we started in 1982. St. Louis Anxiety Disorders Center’s hallmark is individualized care based on understanding a patient’s fear and family concerns. All therapeutic decisions are made with the patient and consideration of ability to manage fear. While cognitive behavior therapy is the treatment, each patient and family bring unique characteristics which are included in each plan of care.

Our patients and families tell us we know what we are doing! They tell us they trust our clinical judgment. ADC staff have many years of specialty training and experience in cognitive behavior therapy. They are dedicated therapists because they have seen patients improve. ADC staff provide consistent and knowledgeable care.

Do you accept insurance?
Yes. However, many insurances may not cover or severely limit coverage for out of town treatment. It is important that you call the mental health number on your insurance card and discuss your situation with them to receive your maximum reimbursement. This may involve your local therapist providing medical necessity as to why you want to go out of your immediate provider area.

I've had behavior therapy before, why didn't it work?
Several factors need to be in place for long term gains. These include therapist experience with assessing patient needs and creating a comprehensive treatment plan; time to devote to behavioral treatment and intensity of therapy; support systems; cost; ability to adapt to new behaviors; continued practice of new behaviors; to name a few. Obstacles need to be identified so future treatment can be more effective.

What is intensive therapy?
The St. Louis Anxiety Disorders Intensive treatment program is designed to provide supervised daily cognitive behavior therapy treatment. Sessions are geared toward gradual, supportive, successful cognitive behavior change. Sessions are in 2 hour intervals with a maximum 3/day. Patients and their individual therapist determine clinical goals and which sessions to attend.

What treatments are available?
Effective treatment for anxiety disorders are cognitive behavior therapy; medication; and individual or family psychotherapy/education. These can be used alone or in combination.

How long will I be in St. Louis?
Several factors will affect immediate length of stay. These are: previous treatment success or failures; social factors; presence of more than one disorder; severity of maladaptive coping and individual incentive to adapt to more functional coping; severity of avoidance, patient ability to engage in changing their fear perceptions and fear attributions with behavior therapy. We recommend out of town patients to plan an initial 2-6 week length of stay.

I do not live in the United States, Can I be treated in St. Louis?
Yes. We have treated many international patients. There are some logistics to be solved, but if access to appropriate treatment is not available, Saint Louis Anxiety Disorders Center has provided services to international patients.

How will I know if treatment will work?
Treatment is individualized to your ability to make cognitive and behavioral changes. Learning new skills, testing yourself, practicing new behaviors and using them provides the tools for insuring successful outcomes. We will teach, guide, and support your new skills. You will know treatment is working when you can see you are gaining control of your fears.

What is evidence based treatment?
This is treatment that has been specifically shown to work. Evidence based treatment is from research, clinical trial, or rigorous testing and has a high probability for positive long term outcome.

Click here to contact the Anxiety Disorders Center