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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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!

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT FEES & RATES?

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. 

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:

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 Institute of Mental Health

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/)

Visit Rehabilitation Psychology to learn more about how the study and application of psychological knowledge and skills on behalf of individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions can improve your health across the lifespan.

Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity logo

Visit SPSLGBTI to learn more about how psychological research, education, training, practice and advocacy benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming individuals.

Visit the Society for Health Psychology to learn more about how the integration of biomedical information about health and illness with current psychological knowledge can benefit you.

HAVE A QUESTION?