No. you only need a strong, stable internet connection and access to Zoom.

• I’m currently using Zoom for video sessions, so you will only need to download the Zoom app ahead of time if you are using Zoom from your phone.
• If Zoom is not working for you, I also have backup platforms that we can use instead, such as Google Meet (you would have to download the Meet app if doing a video session from your phone).
• You will receive an email with the link for the video platform (Zoom) after setting up an initial appointment and each week prior to your appointment.
• You will sign in at the time of your appointment by clicking the link that you received.

Nope! All you need is a quiet, comfortable space. It can be at an office, your kitchen, a hotel, even the bathroom if that’s your quiet space.

The convenience of online therapy is the flexibility that it offers. If you travel frequently or don’t want to drive, we can schedule a session at a time that works for you.

Unfortunately, yes. Online therapists specialize in services they are trained to provide. So if you reveal an issue to your therapist that they aren’t equipped to treat, they should refer you to another therapist instead of trying to tackle it themselves.

I cannot effectively serve clients who:

• Are in crisis
• Substance use as presenting issue
• Lack privacy
• Have weak internet connection
• Prefer in-person connection
• Need documentation/testimony for legal purposes
• Are a danger to themselves

Dr. Pollard has served clients throughout Maryland including Silver Spring, Columbia, Baltimore City, Pikesville, Owings Mills, Laurel, Catonsville, Waldorf, Upper Marlboro, College Park, Ellicott City, Bethesda, and Hyattsville. Counties served also include Montgomery County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Charles County. She lived, worked, and trained professionally in the state of Maryland for over a decade. Therefore, she has a rich knowledge of and appreciation for the Maryland and Washington DC metro area. 

Dr. Pollard is licensed in Maryland and Georgia. At this time, she is now accepting clients who are physically located in Maryland, Georgia, Florida, and all of the PSYPACT states (https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap), including DC and Virginia. PSYPACT is slowly expanding to other states, so please inquire if your state is not listed and you have a strong desire to work with her.

Clients who tend to best appreciate online therapy:

• Have previous experience with video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, Webex)
• Has access to a quiet, comfortable space
• Values doing therapy in a familiar setting
• Driving to a therapist would involve commuting in a high traffic area  
• Want access to therapists with specific areas of specialty that live outside of driving distance
• Enjoys incorporating technology into the therapy experience
• Travels to multiple locations within their state and would like to be able to see their therapist

The length of time in therapy can vary widely depending on a number of factors. Clients who like a more structured and shorter-term approach typically benefit from Unified Protocol, a CBT-based intervention.

No, you will not receive a mental health diagnosis if you do not meet the criteria for one. Many people benefit from therapy without having a mental health diagnosis. However, depending on the specific issue that therapy is treating you may receive a diagnosis that will be listed in your treatment record. Clients who use out-of-network benefits from their insurance company are required to have a mental health diagnosis and this diagnosis will be submitted to your insurance company along with your receipt for services rendered. 

See the Fees & Services page for more detailed information.