Question 1

What is psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy is therapy for your mind and emotional well-being, like physical therapy is therapy for your body.  The prefix “psycho” (from the Greek “psyche,” meaning mind or soul) differentiates it from other kinds of therapy (occupational, speech, massage, etc.).  A provider of psychotherapy is called a psychotherapist.  I use the terms therapy and therapist interchangeably with psychotherapy and psychotherapist.

Question 2

What is the difference between a psychotherapist, a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Accepted Answer

A psychotherapist provides psychotherapy.  There are many types of psychotherapists, with different educational backgrounds and training.  Clinical social workers, professional counselors and marriage and family therapists are some types of psychotherapists.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and can prescribe medication.  Other doctors and advance practice nurses can prescribe medication, too.  Psychiatrists and advance practice nurses are sometimes also psychotherapists.

A psychologist has a doctorate in psychology.  Psychologists can provide certain types of testing and are often researchers.  Many psychologists are also psychotherapists.

Question 3

Do you prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

I do not prescribe medication.  If appropriate, I may suggest you see a psychiatrist or other prescriber.  If you do not have a provider, I can try to help you find one, or you may find one on your own.

Question 4

How much does therapy cost, and do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

To find information about fees and insurance, please click here.(https://www.heatherbaronlcsw.com/fees)

Question 5

Why are therapy sessions 50 minutes instead of a full hour?

Accepted Answer

Therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes long.  The 10 minutes between sessions allows me to write notes, engage in self-care and prepare for the next session.  Sometimes we might schedule a longer session, depending on what we need, and this will be decided together in advance.

Question 6

How frequently will we meet?

Accepted Answer

Each person is different, but most clients start out meeting weekly or every other week.  The frequency depends on what you need, what works for both of our schedules and what works for you financially.  We will discuss this together and adjust things over time as needed.

Question 7

How long will I be in therapy?

Accepted Answer

Therapy is different for each person.  Some clients may be in therapy for a few months, and others may be in therapy longer, even for years.  Some people start and stop therapy many times over their lifetime.  It depends on your individual situation.

Question 8

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

I offer a free phone consultation (20-30 minutes).  This is an opportunity for you to tell me why you want to start therapy and ask questions and for us to determine if I am a “good fit” for you and your goals.  We can schedule our initial therapy session at the end of the consultation, or you can think about it and let me know later.  To schedule a free consultation, please click here.(https://www.heatherbaronlcsw.com/contact)

Question 9

What will my initial therapy sessions be like?

Accepted Answer

In our initial therapy sessions, I hope we can work together to accomplish four goals:
 • Getting to know you - I want to learn about you, your history, your current situation and your goals.  You are always in control of how much you share and when.
 • Building the therapeutic relationship - I strive to create a space where you can feel secure.  I hope that as we work together you will start to feel comfortable with me, and we will establish trust.
 • Educating - You will learn about your brain and nervous system and how this knowledge will support us in addressing the specific issue(s) that brought you into therapy.  Having more information about what you are experiencing, why and what to do about it can help you feel more empowered.
 • Skill building - I will help you develop skills to feel better and more in control.  I believe the purpose of therapy is to change things that are not working well in your life, and I want those changes to start as soon as possible.

Question 10

What I talk about in therapy is confidential and kept private, right?

Accepted Answer

For the most part, what you talk about in therapy is confidential and kept private.  However, in certain situations I am allowed or even legally required to break this confidentiality.  For example, I am required to report to the authorities if I have reason to believe that you or someone else is abusing or neglecting a child or if I have reason to believe that you may harm yourself or someone else, and I am also allowed to report suspected abuse or neglect of older or dependent adults.  I may also receive a court order to release your records, in which case I would have to comply.  Please review my Notice of Privacy Practices (https://www.heatherbaronlcsw.com/_files/ugd/4b67d8_64adee64d6ef49c68eeeb1b7de9546e9.pdf)for a full explanation of the ways your private information may be used or disclosed.

Question 11

What if we’re not a good fit or I don’t think therapy is working?

Accepted Answer

If you feel like I am not a good fit for you or you’re not happy with how therapy is going, please talk with me about it.  I will accept this feedback in an open, curious and nonjudgmental way.  There may be things we can do to help you feel more comfortable or get more out of the experience.  There may also be some things that I will not be able to change.  If you ultimately decide to end therapy with me, I would be happy to try to help you find someone else to work with if I can.

Question 12

What should I do when I’m ready to end therapy?

Accepted Answer

When you feel ready to end therapy, please discuss it with me.  It is generally helpful to discuss and process the ending together.  For some clients, this can be done in 1 or 2 final sessions.  For others, this could take longer.  Although not clinically recommended, you can also choose to stop therapy without processing the ending together in this way.  You can stop therapy at any time.

Question 13

Where is your office located?

Accepted Answer

At this time, I am only offering telemental health.(javascript:void(0))

Frequently Asked Questions

Heather Baron, MEd, MSS, LCSW