THERAPY FAQ
Is therapy right for me?
Everybody experiences challenging periods of time in their lives. You may have been able to successfully navigate other difficulties that you faced in the past on your own or with the help of family or friends, but sometimes it is helpful or necessary to seek out extra support. Therapy not only provides that added support, but also many longer-term benefits as well. These can range from building greater self-awareness to improving your interpersonal relationships, enhancing self-confidence, and improving coping strategies for such issues as depression, anxiety, or stress. Therapy is the first step towards achieving a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
How do I know if I need therapy?
The specific issues that bring people into therapy are as diverse and distinct as the people themselves. People seek therapy for all sorts of reasons. You do not have to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder in order to benefit from therapy. Individuals may see a therapist to address issues ranging from everyday job stress to difficulty coping with specific life phases or transitions (i.e. empty nest, loss of parents, divorce, pregnancy, etc.). Whether you recently went through a painful break-up, you are struggling to juggle your work and home life, you are feeling chronically sad or anxious, or you just need some extra support, therapy can be very helpful in providing the specific type of support and guidance that you need.
What issues can individual therapy help with?
Psychotherapy can be a very helpful and effective treatment for a wide range of psychological, emotional, and interpersonal problems. Having a safe and confidential space to voice your worries, explore your struggles, confront difficult topics, and talk openly about your thoughts and feelings can be highly beneficial for individuals dealing with a wide range of issues, including such things as:
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Stage of life changes
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Career or work related challenges
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Parenting
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Loss
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Interpersonal relationships
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Stress management
What is unique about your approach to therapy?
I believe that the client-therapist relationship provides the foundation for effective therapeutic work to occur. Therefore, my first priority when clients come to see me is to help them determine whether I am a good fit for them and their particular needs. My next step is to create a safe and comfortable environment where my clients can begin exploring those issues that have brought them into therapy. Going beyond simply addressing the immediate symptoms, I help clients explore the underlying issues that are contributing to their current life struggles, emotional distress, or interpersonal problems. Together we look at relationship patterns and ways of thinking that have become a barrier to their happiness and well-being. By helping them develop increased self-awareness and insight and providing them with the tools they need in order to make positive changes in their lives, clients are able to reach their full potential both individually and within their relationships.
What are the benefits of getting adult therapy?
Though it can be very helpful to open up to close friends and family members about your struggles or problems, there are times when the people around us aren’t able to provide the type of support that we need. When we need that extra bit of support, psychotherapy is a very good option to consider. Therapists are professionally trained to assist clients in understanding the underlying factors contributing to their presenting concerns, help them overcome emotional or interpersonal problems, and support them as they make positive changes in their lives that promote overall mental health and well-being.
How long will therapy last?
Therapy typically does not have a set time length. Some problems resolve very quickly while others are more complex and take longer to work through. Usually, I work with adult individuals for at minimum three months, meeting on a weekly basis. I often continue working with them for up to a year or more and then we may transition to once monthly or as needed basis.
Will you be prescribing medication?
As a psychotherapist, I specialize in talk therapy and do not prescribe medication. However, if it becomes clear that you could benefit from medication, I will refer you to a psychiatrist who can help address your particular medication needs.
How often will we meet?
Therapy typically occurs on a weekly basis. I have found that meeting consistently every week contributes to a stronger therapeutic relationship and enables clients to more effectively address the issues they are struggling with. There are times, however, when it is appropriate to meet more or less frequently based on a client’s current needs.
Do you take insurance?
I do not accept insurance at this time and am, therefore, considered an out-of-network provider. Payment is due by the client at the time of service. It is very helpful to check with your insurance company ahead of time to find out what your coverage is for therapy services with an out-of-network provider. Below are several questions you may want to ask you insurance company about therapy services prior to your first session:
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Does my insurance plan include mental health insurance benefits?
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What is my annual deductible, what is its start date, and has it been met yet?
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How many sessions does my health insurance cover per year?
At the end of each month, an itemized “super bill” with diagnostic codes (if applicable), dates of service and types of services provided will be given to you. You can choose to submit this to your insurance company. It is the responsibility of the patient/parent to contact your insurance company directly for questions about coverage (e.g., covered services, deductible, amount to be reimbursed, and pre-authorization). Please be aware that reimbursement varies greatly and that by engaging my services you are paying "out-of-pocket" and are not assured of any reimbursement from your individual insurance policy.
Will you provide a Good Faith Estimate?
Yes, as required by the No Surprises Act, and in accordance with the law, a Good Faith Estimate is available and will be included in your client portal before you engage my services.
What forms of payment do you accept?
I accept payment via cash, check, Zelle, and visa/mastercard/AMEX payments. If paying by check, please make it out to Erika Baron, Psy.D., PLLC
What is your general cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel a therapy appointment, please inform me at least 24 hours before your scheduled meeting time. Please consider that space and time are reserved for each scheduled appointment and cannot be easily filled without at least 24 hours’ notice. Unless a session is canceled 24 hours in advance, you will be responsible for the full fee of the session.
What is your cancellation policy regarding illness?
For your safety and the safety of the team at Erika Baron, Psy.D., PLLC, you are asked to communicate with me to decide if your appointment will be conducted virtually (if your appointment is routinely held in person), rescheduled or canceled if you or a member of your household is diagnosed with a communicable disease (e.g., strep throat, flu, Covid-19) or if you have a cough or fever.