Kathryn Novak in Baltimore: Individual Therapy for Adults on Medication and Medication Adjustments

Kathryn Novak is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in private practice who sees individual adult clients for therapy, with a documented focus on working with patients navigating medication changes, psychiatric symptom management, and the relationship between therapy and pharmacological treatment. She operates in Baltimore and accepts insurance.

What Kathryn Novak actually is

Novak provides outpatient counseling within the psychotherapy framework. She holds an LCSW credential, which qualifies her to conduct individual talk therapy but not to prescribe medication herself. Her stated clinical interest centers on clients who are either starting psychiatric medications, adjusting dosages under a psychiatrist's or primary-care doctor's supervision, or working through the emotional and practical dimensions of being on medication. This positioning matters: many therapists treat medication as background; Novak treats the medication journey as integrated clinical material. She does not replace a prescriber but coordinates with one. Clients typically work with both Novak and a separate psychiatrist or medical doctor simultaneously.

Services, approach, and pricing

Novak offers once-weekly and twice-weekly individual therapy sessions. Pricing follows standard Baltimore private-practice ranges. Most sessions are billed to insurance; confirm whether your plan is in-network before scheduling. Those without coverage or with high deductibles typically pay $150 to $200 per session out-of-pocket in the Baltimore area; ask her office directly whether a sliding scale is available for self-pay patients.

Initial appointments run 60 minutes and include history-taking, symptom screening, and clarification of goals. Ongoing sessions are generally 45 or 50 minutes. Novak works with adults across age ranges and takes time understanding how medication side effects, efficacy questions, or dosing changes affect both symptom presentation and daily life. If a client's medication is not working or producing unwanted effects, Novak's framework allows that conversation to happen in session without judgment, and she can communicate concerns back to the prescriber.

How it compares to other Baltimore counseling options

Baltimore has a mix of individual therapists in private practice, agency-based clinics, and university-affiliated programs. A private practice therapist like Novak offers appointment flexibility and continuity with the same clinician; agency clinics (such as those affiliated with Johns Hopkins or the University of Maryland) often have more availability and lower upfront costs but may involve longer waitlists and periodic provider transitions. A therapist without specific expertise in medication-focused work may treat therapy and pharmacology as separate lanes. Novak's documented integration of the two is less common and suits clients who want an explicit therapeutic space to process medication decisions and side effects rather than simply receiving therapy while medication is "handled elsewhere."

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Novak is a fit for adults beginning psychiatric treatment or adjusting existing prescriptions who want a therapist actively attuned to the medication piece. She works well for those managing depression, anxiety, or other conditions where talk therapy and medication commonly work together. Clients who benefit from regular, consistent contact with the same provider will value the private-practice continuity.

She is not a fit for children or adolescents (not stated as part of her scope). Individuals in acute crisis should contact a crisis line or emergency department, not schedule a therapy appointment. Patients seeking only medication management without therapy should see a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, not a therapist. If your insurance is not accepted in-network, the out-of-pocket cost may be prohibitive unless a sliding scale is available.

What the first visit involves

Call or email the office to schedule an initial appointment. Expect to complete basic intake paperwork either online or in person, covering psychiatric history, medications, medical background, and current stressors. Bring your insurance card. The first session will focus on understanding why you are seeking therapy now, what your goals are, whether you are currently on or considering medication, and who your prescriber is (if applicable). Novak will ask about symptoms, sleep, substance use, and safety. If she believes you need psychiatric evaluation or a medication change, she will discuss a referral. By the end, you should have a sense of whether weekly therapy fits your needs and what the next steps are.

Hours, location, and logistics

Novak operates a private office within Baltimore. Confirm current office hours and location by contacting her directly; private practices sometimes adjust schedules seasonally or have limited evening/weekend availability. Parking depends on the specific office location. Telehealth sessions are available for established clients in some cases; ask whether this is an option for your situation.

Kathryn Novak fills a specific clinical niche in Baltimore's counseling landscape: a therapist whose training and stated interest make her genuinely useful for adults whose psychiatric medication journey is an active part of their current life. For that population, working with a therapist who integrates medication awareness into every session, rather than treating it as someone else's job, removes a significant source of fragmentation in mental health care.