Alexiou Counseling in Baltimore: Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma
Alexiou Counseling is a solo private practice offering individual psychotherapy from a licensed clinician in the Harbor East area, with a focus on anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and trauma-related conditions. The practice accepts most major insurance plans and maintains shorter wait times than many larger Baltimore outpatient mental health clinics, though it operates on a limited schedule that requires advance scheduling.
Services and fees
Alexiou Counseling provides individual talk therapy, typically 45-minute weekly sessions. Session costs depend on insurance coverage: patients with in-network benefits pay their plan's standard copay, usually $25 to $50 per session, while uninsured clients typically pay $120 to $150 per session (verify current rates when scheduling, as out-of-pocket fees can shift). The practice accepts Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, United, Cigna, and most other major plans; confirm your specific policy before the first appointment. Sessions occur during weekday daytime and early evening hours; the practice does not offer weekend appointments or emergency same-day slots.
How Alexiou Counseling compares to other Baltimore therapy options
Baltimore's mental health landscape splits between large federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and smaller private practices. The Harbor Health and HealthCare for the Homeless clinics (both FQHC-affiliated) offer sliding-scale fees and do not require insurance, but typically carry 3- to 6-week wait times for new-patient intake. The University of Maryland's psychology clinic (graduate student clinicians supervised by licensed faculty) charges $15 to $50 per session on a sliding scale and takes referrals year-round; appointment availability is limited but cost barriers are minimal. In contrast, Alexiou Counseling requires insurance or out-of-pocket payment at private rates, but offers faster access to a licensed practitioner (usually within 1 to 2 weeks for new clients). Larger group practices like the Sheppard Pratt behavioral health network have more provider choice and specialized programs for substance use and severe mental illness, but coordinate through a larger bureaucracy and often have longer initial wait times. Alexiou Counseling suits clients who have insurance, prefer continuity with one therapist, and can accommodate weekday appointment windows; it does not serve those needing emergency psychiatric care, residential treatment, or sliding-scale therapy without any insurance burden.
What the first visit involves
The first session with Alexiou Counseling includes a detailed intake covering psychiatric history, current symptoms, medication use, medical history, and life circumstances relevant to your presenting concern. You will be asked about suicidal or homicidal ideation as part of standard safety screening. Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and a list of any current medications. The clinician will explain confidentiality limits (mandatory reporting for imminent danger or abuse) and discuss what treatment goals might look like over the first few months. Initial sessions often feel more like a conversation and information-gathering than therapy proper; the work typically deepens in sessions 2 and 3. If the clinician believes your needs fall outside their scope (for example, if you require psychiatry for medication management alongside therapy), they can provide referrals to psychiatrists in Baltimore.
Hours, location, and logistics
Alexiou Counseling is located on East Baltimore Street in Harbor East, a neighborhood with street and lot parking (free after 6 p.m. on weekdays, all day Saturday and Sunday). The practice is accessible by the MTA Red Line (Charles Center station, a 10-minute walk). Hours run Monday through Thursday, roughly 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with limited Friday availability; verify exact hours when you call, as clinical schedules can shift seasonally. Telehealth sessions are available for existing clients and sometimes for first-time callers; ask about this option when you schedule.
Alexiou Counseling fills a practical gap in Baltimore's mental health access by reducing wait time and maintaining a focused practice in a walkable neighborhood, making it a reliable choice for working adults with insurance who need therapy within the next week or two.
