FAQ's
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY SHOULD I WORK WITH DR. BAUGHN?
Look, I get it. You want help and you simply want to know if I've got the skills to help with what you are looking for.
The honest answer is that you won't know until you and I talk more about your specific situation.
My goal is to be a guide for you on this journey and if I'm not a good fit then I will give you a few alternative options.
I can tell you that my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Postdoctoral training, professional experience, and personal lived experience as a Gay Psychologist are strong skills that benefit our work together.
CAN I WORK WITH YOU OVER VIDEO?
Yes, of course you can! I can work with you over video when you live in any of these states:
Alabama - Huntsville, Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, Tuscaloosa and throughout Alabama
Arizona - Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and throughout Arizona
Arkansas - Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro and throughout Arkansas
Colorado - Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood and throughout Colorado
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Connecticut - Bridgeport, Stamford, New Haven, Hartford, Waterbury and throughout Connecticut
Delaware - Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Middletown, Bear and throughout Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida - Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg and throughout Florida
Georgia - Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah and throughout Georgia
Idaho - Boise City, Meridian, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Caldwell and throughout Idaho
Illinois - Chicago, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Rockford and throughout Illinois
Indiana - Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Fishers and throughout Indiana
Kansas - Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe, Topeka and throughout Kansas
Kentucky - Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Covington and throughout Kentucky
Maine - Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland, Auburn and throughout Maine
Maryland - Baltimore, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Frederick and throughout Maryland
Michigan - Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren City, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor and throughout Michigan
Minnesota - Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Bloomington, Duluth and throughout Minnesota
Missouri - Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, Independence and throughout Missouri
Nebraska - Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney and throughout Nebraska
Nevada - Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Reno, Enterprise and throughout Nevada
New Hampshire - Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Derry, Dover and throughout New Hampshire
New Jersey - Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Lakewood, Elizabeth and throughout New Jersey
North Carolina - Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem and throughout North Carolina
North Dakota - Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo and throughout North Dakota
Ohio - Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron and throughout Ohio
Oklahoma - Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Edmond and throughout Oklahoma
Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Reading City, Erie and throughout Pennsylvania
Rhode Island - Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, East Providence and throughout Rhode Island
South Carolina - Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill and throughout South Carolina
Tennessee - Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville and throughout Tennessee
Texas - Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth and throughout Texas
Utah - Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Provo, St. George and throughout Utah
Virginia - Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Arlington, Norfolk, Richmond and throughout Virginia
Washington - Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue and throughout Washington
West Virginia - Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling and throughout West Virginia
Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, and Racine and throughout Wisconsin
Wyoming - Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Laramie, Rock Springs and throughout Wyoming
CAN I WORK WITH YOU IN-PERSON AT YOUR OFFICE?
Yes, of course you can! Clients that live in the Tampa Bay Area are more than welcome to stop by for in-person sessions at my office.
My office is located in the Hyde Park area of Tampa on the corner of Azeele Street and Brevard Ave. The office is between Hyde Park United Methodist Church and Allegro Hyde Park.
The office address is 701 W Azeele St, Ste A, Tampa FL 33606.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING OUR INITIAL 15 MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION?
I will ask you to share a little bit about what is brining you in for psychotherapy and what you would like to focus on so that I can make sure that I am able to meet your needs. We will also spend time answering your questions so that you can feel comfortable working together.
I will ask you follow-up questions and if I feel that I can be of help to you then we will discuss scheduling, fees, policies, telehealth setup, office directions, etc.
If I am not the right fit or if there are other logistical barriers to working together, then I will offer you a referral to another Licensed Psychologist in the area.
AM I READY FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY?
This is a great question that I ask every client. It takes courage to start psychotherapy so the first step is to simply start. The second step is to start taking action by doing things. Psychotherapy is an active collaboration that involves you completing tasks between sessions. Only one out of the 168 total hours of your week is focused on psychotherapy; that is less than 1% of your entire week! One of the primary benefits of psychotherapy is dependent on you proactively taking what we work on in session and applying these insights to your life outside of treatment. You will learn how to notice the thoughts, moods, behaviors, physical reactions and environment factors that influence you. You will learn how to distinguish between situations you can change and those you can’t change. Behavior change and personal growth can feel uncomfortable at times, which is why we work together to help ensure your success.
For additional information about psychotherapy, check out this APA Psychology Help Center article on “Understanding psychotherapy and how it works” at: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/understanding-psychotherapy.aspx
WHAT IS LGBTQ+ AFFIRMATIVE THERAPY?
Affirmative therapy is a type of talk therapy used to validate and advocate for the needs of sexual and gender minority clients. Therapists use verbal and nonverbal means to demonstrate an affirming stance toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) clients.
In addition to providing affirmative therapy, I am a gay psychologist, therapist, and counselor.
I can speak to some of the unique experiences that queer folx experience.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING OUR FIRST SESSION?
Our first 1-3 sessions will focus on understanding you, your values, your strengths, your areas of growth, and to instill a new sense of hope. It’s completely normal to feel a little uneasy in the first few sessions of psychotherapy. We will also review a few logistical items such as fees (payment is due in full at the beginning of each session), how to make or cancel an appointment, and confidentiality. Next, we will collaboratively develop a plan to help you get unstuck and to move forward in life.
WHY SHOULD I INVEST IN THE COST OF THERAPY?
The cost of therapy is an investment in you and your future. You are investing in making changes to improve your mental health and well-being for the long term. Therapy can be a small cost to pay when compared to the toll that that untreated mental health symptoms can take on your life such as lost wages from missed work, more medical expenses, and decreased quality of life.
It's also important to remember that you are learning skills in therapy that can be more effective and last longer than medications or other treatment. Thus, you are saving money in the long run.
In addition, paying for therapy privately means that you control the type of therapy you receive, the therapist you see, and the number of sessions that fit your needs. You get a far more personalized and effective experience.
The cost of therapy is a small price to pay for the peace of mind and improved quality of life that comes from you learning the skills to better your life.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO SEE YOU?
Therapy is an investment in your future health. Generally speaking, most sessions are scheduled once per week before we consider every other week or monthly check-ins. Clinically, I need this time to conceptualize your challenges, to get a solid treatment plan in place and to help you move forward.
CAN I USE MY OUT-OF-NETWORK HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS?
Yes, you may be able to use your out-of-network insurance!
I’m considered an out of network provider because I don’t directly accept insurance.
Rather than going back and forth with insurance companies all day, I focus entirely on providing the absolute most effective therapy to my clients.
I provide billing statements for my clients that they submit to their insurance for reimbursement after their session, and this works really well for most people. My fee per session is below.
WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT FEES & RATES?
Free 15 minute Complimentary Phone Call
$230 for 53 minute Individual Appointments
$345 for 90 minute Intake Appointment
$345 for 90 minute Extended Individual Appointments
$795 for Pre-Surgical Psychological Evaluation
If you are in need of low-cost therapy, please visit Open Counseling for options near you.
WHY DON’T YOU TAKE IN-NETWORK INSURANCE?
Although insurance may offset the cost of treatment, many clients are unaware that your insurance company may dictate certain aspects of your treatment such as a required diagnosis that becomes part of your permanent health record.
Your insurance company may tell you what doctors you can see, the number of sessions you can receive, where you can receive treatment, the cost of your treatment, and when your treatment should end.
In addition, your sensitive personal information such as diagnosis and length of treatment becomes known to the insurance company. Your insurance company may share your personal information with other businesses including life insurance companies.
In my experience, treatment works best when you and I collaborate together to develop a treatment plan, regularly check in and discuss your progress with treatment, and focus on getting your life moving forward.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU DON'T SEE?
My services may not be a good fit for your needs if:
You were recently discharged from the hospital following a severe mental health crisis.
You require around-the-clock support.
You need therapy due to legal obligations.
Additionally, I cannot offer expert testimony for legal matters. If you're unsure whether my services are suitable for you, please don't hesitate to reach out for an honest conversation. Finding the right therapist is essential, and I'm here to assist you on that path.
RESOURCES
If you feel that you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to you 24/7 (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/)
Find your nearest ER http://www.ushospitalfinder.com
Visit the National Institute of Mental Health to learn more about cutting edge NIMH research. (https://www.nimh.nih.gov)
● Visit the American Psychological Association’s Psychology Help Center to learn up-to-date information about how psychological issues can affect your daily physical and emotional well-being. (http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/)