Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy

I can’t tell you about their counseling services, as I could not reconcile myself to the unprofessionalism of their office staff. Made my first call at 8:45 AM on Thursday. The individual who answered was not friendly, rather brash. No «good morning», no «How can I help you», just a very curt «Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy.» I explained to them I was a new patient and what counselor I was interested in seeing, Tiffany Alexander. I was then informed to call at a different number and someone would call me back within 24 to 48 hours. When I asked whom I was speaking with, she hung up, no goodbye, no «thank you for calling», nothing.
Received a call back on Monday at 3:10 PM, was unavailable but the caller, Jackie, left a message to call back and to have my insurance information ready. I called back 4:19 PM, was told Jackie was on another call, to leave my name and number and she would call me back. I asked the person if she could take my intake information, was told no, she could not, Jackie would have to. I waited until 4:43 PM and called back to see if Jackie was available; did not want to wait another day (being so close to end of business day) to speak with someone. Same woman (not Jackie) answered the phone, said Jackie was not available yet, she would take my name and number again.
At that point I was done — I informed her I would go with someone else, if it was this difficult to get an intake, I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to get an actual appointment. I would have someone inform the counselor I was going somewhere else. She, very cheerfully, said OK and hung up.
I did some more research to find another therapist and ran across Alexander Counseling Services, LLC, Ms Alexander’s independent services. Very glad I can reach her directly. Shame on Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy office staff for their poor excuse for customer service.

I have never been to CCBT, but I was struck by a complaint by one of the clients:
«There were two final nails in the coffin. The first was something she said during one of our sessions. She said that maybe I would not be able to get better and overcome my anxiety. She said that some people just have to live that way and some people make it through life without ever driving. I’m not a mental health professional but I’m sure that the last thing you want to say to someone with anxiety and depression or any kind of mental disorder is that they’ll never get better. This blew my mind and pissed me off at the same time. I could not believe she had the audacity to say something like that to me. My anxiety problem was extremely frustrating to me because I used to have it under control and had no issues with driving, but recently it had gotten progressively worse. She knew all of this but still insisted that maybe I should just live with it. No freakin’ way.»
My review:
In 1968, I quit my job and left my home town and moved to NYC for one specific purpose.
I wanted to attend group therapy sessions at the Institute for Rational Living. I went there until 1972. My therapist was Dr. Albert Ellis. Yes, THAT Albert Ellis.
If there is a cognitive therapist who hasn’t heard of Albert Ellis, he or she should find another line of work.
Now, the very first session was with an associate that asked me what I hoped to gain from therapy. When I explained my goals, she asked how I would feel if I attained none of my goals, if I didn’t change at all.
I said that would be terrible, unacceptable.
She explained that we can’t change until we accept ourselves for who we are.
I didn’t understand that then, but over time I gained insight into what Ellis (he insisted we call him Al) actually meant.
The key to dealing rationally with our problems is to recognize the irrational thoughts we keep repeating to ourselves, and challenging them and beating them back over and over.
There is no «cure». Their is only forcing yourself to think rationally. Every time you have a negative feeling, analyze it, challenge it, and if it is irrational or inappropriate, defeat it.
It won’t make the world a better place. It won’t make other people better, it won’t make your job more enjoyable, but it will allow you to travel your path as a rational being.
Don’t skip your homework assignments. Doing your homework will prove to you that facing your fear does not destroy you.
I know this sounds simplistic, but it is hard work. It takes intellectual insight, it takes emotional insight, and it takes accepting yourself as a worthwhile human being simply because you are a worthwhile human being, and not because of anything you have or do, or who loves you or whom you love.
You don’t control your emotions or fears, but you can lead a life where irrational emotions and fears no longer control you.
It’s hard work, and there is no quick fix.
And yes, it is easier said than done.
So this guy walks into a book store and asks the clerk where the self-​help section is.
The clerk responds, «If I told you, it would be defeating the purpose, wouldn’t it?»

Counselor was mediocre. Never gave me a bill or collected co-​pay and then sent one big bill. Office has terrible customer service. Billing department is even worst. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Just read the other reviews.(All one star) and look elsewhere.

I have to write a review in case anyone out there is searching for a mental health provider and decides to research this place. I chose it based on a list of mental health providers provided to me by my insurance provider. They were not far from my home, and had evening appointments that I could attend after work.
The person I saw was Kay Higgs Adams. I went to a few appointments with her over the span of a few weeks, After the first appointment I didn’t feel negative or positively toward her or her services. I figured I would give it a few more weeks and appointments before I decided how I felt about the therapy. I went to her for a severe anxiety problem that had recently gotten out of control and affected my ability to drive. I also have a mild to moderate depression problem. I explained all of this to her in the first appointment. I expressed what my main goal was: to get my anxiety under control. My depression & anxiety go hand in hand so I know that if I get one under control, the other would follow. My anxiety was the biggest problem. I had been treated previously but switched insurance providers when I graduated college and got full time employment a few months before I sought treatment here.
After a few appointments I began to feel like she did not understand my problems and might not be able to help me. During our sessions I literally felt like she wasn’t listening to me, which is bizarre behavior for a mental health professional. I would say something, and her response would indicate that she hadn’t paid attention or listened to things I’d said previously. I got angry because of this during one our sessions, but I did not say anything to her. What I wanted to say was «What the hell is wrong with you?! Are you even listening to me?!»
There were two final nails in the coffin. The first was something she said during one of our sessions. She said that maybe I would not be able to get better and overcome my anxiety. She said that some people just have to live that way and some people make it through life without ever driving. I’m not a mental health professional but I’m sure that the last thing you want to say to someone with anxiety and depression or any kind of mental disorder is that they’ll never get better. This blew my mind and pissed me off at the same time. I could not believe she had the audacity to say something like that to me. My anxiety problem was extremely frustrating to me because I used to have it under control and had no issues with driving, but recently it had gotten progressively worse. She knew all of this but still insisted that maybe I should just live with it. No freakin’ way.
The second nail in the coffin was when she said there was an issue with their office and my insurance company and they needed to verify my coverage and my treatment dates. I really still do not know what she was talking about. It sounded like something their office should be handling. She wanted me to call the insurance company and have them mail a form to their office or something. Like… what??? No. I never went back there after that.
This lady must have gotten her training and license from Boo Boo the Fool University or something. She was just unimaginably awful as a mental health care provider. I do NOT recommend this place to anyone who is looking for quality mental health care. They’re TERRIBLE and will not help you.

I went to this Center at the urging of my mother, who read that CBT can be helpful particularly for depression. I went 3 times before the psychologist that I was seeing left (without giving me any prior warning). She was actually somewhat helpful, although she spent a lot of time trying to sell me on the CBT method rather than attempting to demonstrate the method so that I could make my own decision.
My review is mostly on the office staff. They were not all awful. There was one woman, maybe in her 60s or so, who was always very kind, helpful, and professional. The rest of them were moody, unprofessional, and completely unhelpful. I wonder why they chose to work in an office that serves many patients with mood disorders, because obviously they hated it there and disliked the clientele. I have NEVER been to a doctor that refuses to bill my secondary insurance, but this office certainly did. It takes less than 2 minutes to put that stuff in an envelope and send it. Instead, they mailed me at least 5 warnings that my payment was overdue and would be sent to collections. When I called to attempt to explain the issue, the woman who returned my call (I think she’s in her young 20s from her voice) was confrontational and not at all sympathetic. I will never again go to a place that is so adamantly anti-​patient.

«Holly P» and her one b.s. review criticizing Sara O’s review was obviously placed here by the CCBT itself. I also went to this center and had the worst experience I’ve ever had in 11 years of therapy. I forgot the stupid doctor’s name but within 5 minutes he «diagnosed» me, said that my diagnosis I already had from a very renown NYC institution that thoroughly STUDIED ME was wrong, spouted a bunch of crap that made it clear he hasn’t been keeping up on psychiatry-​related new and/​or research. I got up and left after 15 minutes of this ridiculousness. I asked to see another doctor. He came out and asked me in front of people in waiting room to come back so he could talk to me a minute. I said that I was giving him permission to say whatever he wanted to say to me out in the open. He said he «couldn’t» do that. I said I would not go back alone with him he cannot «diagnose» someone in 5 minutes and he said he «never» did that. I said «now you’re just outright lying» which he was. He still wouldn’t say whatever he wanted to say. So the center scheduled for me to see another doctor there and then CALLED ME AND CANCELLED. The first asshole had blocked me from seeing any other therapists at the center (they have the right to do that.) I should have reported that asshole but didn’t. This place is bullshit do not go there and please, Unilocal, remove these obvious rave reviews that come from people who work for the clinic.

I saw a psychologist named Helen Ahlborn at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She was absolutely TERRIBLE – so much so that I actually wrote a complaint to the person in charge of this Center, Dr. Kevin Arnold. He responded to my letter by denying any inappropriate behavior on behalf of Dr. Ahlborn. In my opinion, the people at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy would rather not rock the boat, and their patients are NOT a priority. STAY AWAY.
Here’s my story:
I saw Dr. Ahlborn because I wanted to find a health psychologist to help me cope with chronic migraine headaches. Unfortunately, I found Dr. Ahlborn.
The short of it: Dr. Ahlborn talks about herself all the time, interrupted me constantly, dispensed unqualified and ill-​received legal advice, and is extremely RACIST. This woman does far more harm than good, and should NOT be a practicing psychologist.
The long of it:
My first appointment with Dr. Ahlborn was in January of 2006. During this first session, I was a little surprised by her «method.» She was extremely talkative, and I was appalled when she answered her cell phone in the middle of our appointment. Although I was unhappy with her behavior, I returned a couple of weeks later – my insurance covered six free visits to a psychotherapist, and I suppose I felt that I had nothing to lose. During my next two appointments Dr. Ahlborn continually talked about her personal life; in fact, she seemed more interested in sharing details about herself than she was in helping me work through my problems. She continually interrupted me or talked over me. I was beginning to lose faith in her ability to help me, and I had completely lost my patience.
At this point I felt that she wasn’t a good therapist. It wasn’t until the last session, however, that I realized she shouldn’t even be in practice.
One of the issues I was attempting to deal with was my living situation; my apartment was falling apart, and the landlord would not terminate the lease. I mentioned this to Dr. Ahlborn, and she responded by asking if the landlord was black. She informed me that if the landlord were indeed black, my boyfriend and I would have a harder time getting him to do what we want «because he’ll have so many people in the community backing him.» She went on to tell me that my boyfriend and I should simply walk out on our lease, and said, «Who cares?» when I put forth the possibility of getting sued. She told me to take my boyfriend’s name off the lease so the landlord can only sue me, and since I «don’t have anything, he can’t get anything.» I was clearly angered by her suggestion, and responded that I had no desire to ruin my credit. «It won’t go on your credit report,» she answered. I could not believe that she was continuing the conversation despite my clear agitation. I insisted that being sued was a huge black mark on a credit report. She followed up by saying, «so it goes on your credit report. Just have your boyfriend rent the next apartment.» She then returned to the issue of race, informing me that she used to work in the prison system in Ohio, and she couldn’t get ahead because she «wasn’t black.»
I cannot even begin to explain how angry I am; her behavior was incredibly inappropriate on so many levels. First, it is not Dr. Ahlborn’s place to pressure me into making legal decisions. She is not an attorney and thus should not be dispensing legal advice, especially when I did not ask for it. I made it abundantly clear that I did not appreciate her input and that I did not agree with her point of view, yet she continued to push the topic. Secondly, she referenced the African-​American community on several occasions and appears to believe that African-​Americans in Ohio — perhaps everywhere — receive an unfair advantage. This point of view is extremely racist.
As a doctoral student in psychology myself, I am familiar with ethics, boundaries, and the therapist’s role. I can confidently say that Dr. Ahlborn seems to have no concern for any of this. At the very least, Dr. Ahlborn should have taken my possible feelings about race into account before speaking (I am in an interracial relationship), but her political and racist views have NO PLACE here, no matter what my background. Her personal views should never enter the room to begin with, but it shows a special disregard for the therapeutic process to have ignored her client’s background and possible feelings about this topic.
Finding a good psychologist can be a difficult process, as there are a lot of licensed therapists who do not do their jobs well. Dr. Ahlborn’s personal life and politics should not enter into the therapeutic atmosphere; the fact that I am aware that she has a college-​age daughter, does not appreciate her husband’s driving skills and possesses racist viewpoints prove that she has no regard for boundaries or the therapeutic process.