Adolescent CBT Pathway · Ages 12–17
CBT Therapy for Teens with Anxiety and Depression
A structured, 12-session cognitive behavioral therapy program for Florida teens, led by Dr. Marie D. Akers, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC. Parents are involved at every step, and progress is measured every week.
- In person in Lutz
- Telehealth across Florida
- 12 weekly sessions
- $150 per session · self-pay
Is it the right fit?
Who the program is designed for
A good fit for teens who are dealing with
- Ongoing worry, panic, or avoiding school or social situations
- Low mood, irritability, or pulling away from friends and activities
- Perfectionism, overthinking, or getting stuck on “what if”
- Thoughts of not wanting to be alive, when the teen is safe for outpatient care and a parent can be closely involved
- Medication alone that hasn’t been enough, and a need for practical skills alongside it
When a different level of care comes first
- A recent suicide attempt, a current plan, or frequent or escalating self-harm
- Psychosis or mania
- An eating disorder with medical concerns
- Substance use that needs its own treatment
In these situations we help families connect with intensive outpatient programs, DBT programs, or other specialized care. Not sure where your teen fits? The prescreener and evaluation help us recommend the right level of care.
What your teen learns
Twelve sessions, one skill at a time
Each session builds on the last, with short practice between sessions so new skills carry into school, home, and friendships.
Getting started
Personal goals, a written safety plan, understanding how emotions drive behavior, and getting active again.
Thinking skills
A family session, spotting thinking traps, and “detective thinking” to test worries against the evidence.
Facing challenges
Problem solving, communication skills, body awareness, and facing feared situations one step at a time.
Keeping the gains
A family session on communication, a relapse-prevention plan, and a graduation session to review progress.
Family-centered
Parents are part of the plan
- A brief parent check-in at every session
- Dedicated family time at the start, in week 4, and in week 10, plus a joint graduation session
- Guidance on supporting practice at home and when to step back so your teen can build confidence
What stays private
Parents always hear about safety concerns and attendance. The details of what your teen shares stay private unless your teen agrees to share them. We review this together at the first session so everyone knows what to expect, because that trust is a big part of what makes therapy work.
Measurement-based care
Progress you can see
Before each session, your teen and you complete short questionnaires. The results guide treatment decisions instead of guesswork.
Coordinated care
Therapy and medication, under one roof
Dr. Akers provides both CBT and psychiatric medication management, so one clinician understands the full picture. Therapy and medication visits stay separate, and medication is never required to join the program.
In large NIH-funded trials of teens with depression (TADS) and anxiety (CAMS), CBT combined with medication outperformed either treatment alone on average. Every teen is different, and treatment recommendations are made individually.
Getting started
How to begin
Prescreener
Complete our online prescreener so we can confirm the program is a good fit.
Psychiatric evaluation
New families start with a comprehensive evaluation. Current SHIELD patients skip this step.
Therapy intake
Session 1 (60 minutes) with your teen and you: goals, expectations, and a safety plan.
Weekly sessions
The same day and time each week, in person or by telehealth.
Transparent pricing
Fees
CBT sessions are self-pay. You’ll receive a written Good Faith Estimate before treatment begins, as required by the No Surprises Act.
| Psychiatric evaluationNew families only | $349 |
| CBT session50–60 minutes | $150 |
| Full 12-session courseGood Faith Estimate | $1,800 |
| With up to 4 booster sessionsOnly if clinically recommended | up to $2,400 |
Appointments cancelled, rescheduled, or missed with less than 48 hours’ notice carry a $100 fee. Arriving 15 or more minutes late counts as a missed appointment.
Questions parents ask
Frequently asked questions
Is the program in person or online?
Both. Sessions are available in person at our Lutz office or by secure telehealth anywhere in Florida. Your teen must be physically located in Florida during telehealth sessions.
Does my teen have to take medication?
No. Medication is recommended only when it is clinically appropriate, and the CBT program stands on its own.
What if my teen doesn’t want to come?
That’s common. The early sessions focus on your teen’s own goals and what matters to them, which helps build motivation before we work on harder skills.
Why weekly sessions?
The research behind CBT for teen anxiety and depression was done with weekly sessions, and weekly contact matters most early on. Teens who are doing well at the week 9 review can step down to every other week.
Do you accept insurance for therapy?
CBT sessions are self-pay. Your Good Faith Estimate lists the full expected cost before treatment begins.
Is SHIELD Psychiatry a crisis service?
No. We are not available around the clock. If your teen is in crisis, call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Does a parent need to consent?
Yes. Florida law requires written parent or guardian consent before a minor begins therapy, and we also ask for your teen’s agreement.
If your teen is in crisis right now: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Adolescent CBT Pathway
Take the first step
Complete the prescreener and our team will follow up about next steps. Current SHIELD patients can ask about the program at their next visit.
Sources: AACAP Clinical Practice Guidelines for anxiety disorders (2020) and depressive disorders (2023); Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (JAMA, 2004); Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study (NEJM, 2008). Individual results vary.