Therapy FAQ’s

Deciding if individual counseling is right for you or your loved one is a personal choice. Almost anyone can benefit from a supportive, nonjudgmental environment to explore experiences and emotions. 

In addition, individual therapy can help you:

• Reflect on experiences and internal states to gain insight 
• Develop coping strategies for managing life’s challenges
• Improve self-awareness
• Understand and manage emotions
• Meet your needs while caring for others

If you’re experiencing symptoms that impact your quality of life, struggling to function in various aspects of life, or facing overwhelming distress, individual therapy can be particularly beneficial. 

Remember, you don’t have to wait until challenges become unmanageable to seek support for yourself or your teen.

The therapy experience is both deeply personal and standardized through evidence-based treatment practices. Therapists and clients are uniquely human. It is expected there will be characteristic or stylistic differences that make a particular therapist feel a better fit for a client.  

There are also evidence-based therapy practices recommended for particular mental health conditions. 

 At Julie Baron and Associates, we offer a complimentary initial call before scheduling your first session to get an impression of the therapist and see if they may be relatable for you or your child. Once sessions begin, your therapist will assess your needs, orient you to the recommended treatment approaches and strategies, and discuss a treatment plan.  

Research shows that the therapeutic alliance is an important factor and essential base for achieving positive outcomes in therapy. Your therapist will take time at the beginning of your care to establish this important relational connection.  

At Julie Baron and Associates, our therapists are all independently licensed to practice therapy.  This means they have a master’s or PhD level of education in a mental health field, have had extensive training, and have passed a licensing exam that allows them to practice therapy independently.  

Our therapists are licensed in the state of Maryland by their discipline’s licensing board.  Some therapists are additionally licensed in other states and jurisdictions as described in their bios on our website.

During your first therapy session, your therapist will ask you questions to get to know you, discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, orient you to your rights and limits to confidentiality, explain how to communicate between sessions, and discuss the next steps. 

Before you agree to schedule an initial therapy session, our billing policies and fees will be explained. Once you schedule a session, your therapist will set you up in our client portal and send you intake forms to complete. One of those forms is a Fee and Payment Agreement, which provides additional details about billing and payment expectations.

The fee for a 45-minute individual or family session is $250.

The fee for a 60-minute individual or family session is $300.

Fees for comprehensive DBT therapy can be found in the FAQ section here.

Julie Baron and Associates is an out-of-network provider, thus we do not participate in insurance panels. Clients are provided a superbill and pay for services in full monthly. This document contains the necessary information for submitting a claim to your insurance company to receive any available out-of-network benefits.

We recommend checking your insurance plan’s reimbursement rates, policies, and their “allowed amount” calculation to understand your coverage better.

During your introductory call, you will be asked if you plan to submit your superbills to your insurance to collect your out-of-network reimbursement benefits. If you are not using your insurance or do not have insurance, you are considered “self-pay.” “Self-pay” clients are entitled to a “Good Faith Estimate,” specifying the estimated total cost of your expected care. You may also request a “Good Faith Estimate” regardless of whether you are considered “self-pay.”

The duration of therapy varies based on individual circumstances and factors such as:

• Type of symptoms, conditions, and life stressors being addressed
• Client’s temperament, experiences, and readiness for change
• Desired goals and outcomes

Some conditions or circumstances may resolve in a few months, while others may require a longer-term commitment for significant improvement or resolution. The course of care is personalized, developed collaboratively between the therapist and client, and adjusted as progress is made.

Whether it’s individual counseling for adults or teens, the process should feel collaborative, supportive, and tailored to the individual’s unique needs and goals.

What you choose to talk about in therapy will be up to you. 

Your therapist will help you address the concerns that led you to treatment and any additional concerns that may arise during your care. They will also guide you through the initial “getting to know you” and assessment process to help you understand your needs and develop a treatment plan so you can feel and function better. Though some sessions will focus on your recent experiences or what may have happened throughout your week, overarching goals will guide the sessions.

By identifying the issues which brought you to therapy and developing treatment goals, you will be able to reflect over time on whether these have changed or improved. It is common for people to seek care when they are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms that affect their life or relationships. When those things begin to improve, it is a sign that therapy may be helping.

Working with a therapist is a uniquely personal experience. Your therapist is not your friend, though a caring bond is essential for successful therapeutic outcomes. Our therapists offer a complimentary introduction call to hear what you’re looking for, provide information about our practice, and answer any questions. If, at that point, you do not feel comfortable, there is no obligation to schedule a session.  

Once you begin working with your therapist, we suggest giving it a few sessions to develop a rapport and collaborate on an approach that works best for you. If, after 3 or 4 sessions, you do not feel a connection or feel that the experience isn’t helpful, we encourage you to be honest with your therapist so they may assist you with a referral to another provider who may be a better fit. 

Our priority is the well-being of our clients. We always want people to get what they need.

It is essential for both parents or other primary caregivers to meet with the therapist as a part of the initial assessment process to share their perspectives, offer pertinent history, and answer questions the therapist may have about the presenting concerns. This is also an opportunity for parents to discuss expectations for ongoing communication.  

Depending on the client’s age, we recommend that one parent attend the first session to meet the therapist and learn about their responsibility and the limitations of confidentiality for their client. Your child’s therapist will also review how to reach them between sessions or during crises.    

For children and teens, it is helpful for parents to collaborate on treatment goals and be periodically updated on the progress of therapy. 

Teens over 18 are legally entitled to decide if they want parents to participate in their care. We value family relationships, believe in building these crucial supports, and work to help families improve communications. 

At Julie Baron & Associates, our highly trained therapists offer specialized counseling services to help teens, young adults, and families overcome challenges and reach their full potential. 

Don’t wait to seek the support your family needs – contact us today to begin your journey toward a healthier, more balanced life. By working together and supporting one another, we can create a better collective future.

Contact Us Today!