Barbara Robertson Art Therapy in Baltimore: Individual and Group Sessions for Adults and Teens

Barbara Robertson Art Therapy is a small independent practice offering individual and group art therapy sessions to adults and adolescents in Baltimore, with a focus on emotional processing, coping skill development, and creative expression as a path to healing.

What art therapy actually is and how Robertson's practice works

Art therapy uses guided creative work—drawing, painting, collage, sculpture—to help people process emotions and experiences that talk therapy alone may not reach. It is not art instruction; the goal is not a finished product but the process of creating. Robertson's practice works with clients who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, or identity questions. Sessions typically run 50 minutes and may involve exploring a feeling through color, responding to a prompt with mixed media, or working without direction to see what emerges. The practice accepts both direct self-referrals and referrals from therapists, doctors, and school counselors.

Services and pricing

Individual sessions cost $75 per session (verify current rates). Robertson also offers group sessions, typically 4 to 6 participants per group, at $50 per person per session. Groups rotate topics—grief, anxiety, self-esteem, identity—and are structured to encourage both personal work and peer connection. Sliding-scale rates are available for clients with financial barriers; rates are negotiated at intake. Many Baltimore-area insurance plans do not cover art therapy as a standalone service, though some cover it when delivered by a licensed clinical social worker or licensed professional counselor with art therapy credentials. Clients should confirm coverage with their insurance before scheduling; Robertson's office can provide documentation for insurance inquiries.

How Robertson compares to other Baltimore counseling and mental health options

Art therapy occupies a narrower niche than traditional talk therapy or psychiatric care. A Baltimore adult seeking weekly individual therapy has far more options: community mental health clinics such as those operated by the Health Care for the Homeless program or providers affiliated with MedStar and Johns Hopkins offer sliding-scale individual counseling, often cheaper and sometimes covered more reliably by insurance. Those options typically cost between $40 and $120 per session depending on income and insurance. Art therapy practitioners in the greater Baltimore area are less common; a resident would face longer wait lists or travel times to find another independent art therapist. Robertson is worth seeking out specifically if you are drawn to creative modalities, stuck in talk-based therapy, or working with a therapist who wants to add expressive work to your treatment. Groups at Baltimore's larger mental health centers such as the Baltimore Crisis Response Center are free or low-cost but tend to be larger (8 to 15 people) and more educationally focused than process-oriented; Robertson's smaller groups allow deeper personal work.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Art therapy works best for adults and teens who are motivated by creative expression, open to non-verbal processing, and stable enough to manage emotional material that emerges during sessions. It suits people who have talked extensively about their problems but feel stuck, those with trauma histories who benefit from somatic or sensory work, and adolescents who respond poorly to sitting and talking but engage in hands-on activity. It is not a substitute for psychiatric medication in serious mental illness; if you have active suicidality, acute psychosis, or untreated bipolar disorder, you need a psychiatrist and a medical assessment first. It is also not the right match if you need crisis intervention or immediate same-day or next-day appointment access.

What the first visit involves

The first session is an intake. Robertson will ask about your reason for coming, psychiatric and family history, current life stressors, and what you hope to gain from art therapy. You will create something (usually a simple drawing or collage) to familiarize yourself with the materials and process. This initial session helps Robertson understand your goals and recommend individual, group, or both. Expect to sign consent and privacy forms and discuss fees, scheduling, and confidentiality limits (art therapists in Maryland are bound by confidentiality except in cases of abuse, danger to self or others, or court order).

Hours, location, and logistics

Robertson's practice is located in the Hampden neighborhood (verify current address and confirm hours directly; they may change seasonally). Street parking is available but can be tight on weekends. The practice is accessible by MTA bus lines 3, 8, and 25. Street parking is free and typically available within one block. No on-site parking lot. Phone or email to schedule; the practice typically has availability within 1 to 3 weeks for new clients.

Art therapy in Baltimore remains underutilized and underinsured, which makes Robertson's practice valuable for the specific population it serves and worth knowing about for therapists and clients looking to expand beyond words.