Brooke Ugel, LCSW-C in Baltimore: Individual Therapy for Adults and Couples

Brooke Ugel is a licensed clinical social worker with clinical certification who provides individual and couples therapy in Baltimore, with a focus on anxiety, relationship conflict, and life transitions. Her practice operates as a sole practitioner, which distinguishes it from larger group therapy practices in the city where scheduling can require longer wait times and sessions are managed through administrative staff rather than directly with the clinician.

What Brooke Ugel actually is

A licensed clinical social worker-clinical (LCSW-C) in Maryland holds a master's degree in social work, completes 3,000 supervised clinical hours, and passes state licensure exams. The clinical certification is the higher credential within the LCSW tier and allows independent practice without physician oversight. This differs from a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Maryland, who follows a different education pathway. Ugel's solo practice model means you communicate directly with her about scheduling, insurance, and clinical decisions rather than working through an intake coordinator.

Services and pricing

Ugel offers individual psychotherapy for adults and couples therapy. Most private-pay rates for licensed therapists in Baltimore range from $100 to $180 per session; confirmation of Ugel's specific fee is important before scheduling. She accepts some insurance plans; you should verify in-network status with your carrier before the first appointment. Many therapists in Baltimore who accept insurance require you to call the office directly rather than check online, which is standard practice in mental health care. If you use insurance, your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's copay and deductible. Some people choose to pay out-of-pocket to avoid insurance claims appearing on their record or to have more flexibility in scheduling.

How to choose between Brooke Ugel and other Baltimore therapists

Ugel's solo practice structure suits people who prefer direct communication and continuity with one therapist. If you need flexibility in appointment times or want multiple scheduling slots to choose from, larger group practices like those affiliated with Johns Hopkins behavioral health clinics or private group practices in Roland Park and Canton offer more options but also longer wait times for new clients. If you have complex psychiatric needs requiring medication management, you may need a psychiatrist or therapist co-located with a prescriber; Ugel handles psychotherapy but does not prescribe. If you have limited insurance coverage or need sliding-scale fees, community mental health organizations like the Community Health Association of Maryland (CHAM) or the Baltimore Crisis Response Center offer lower-cost services. If you specifically need trauma-focused therapy like EMDR or cognitive processing therapy, ask whether that is part of Ugel's training before scheduling.

Who Brooke Ugel suits and who she does not

This practice is best for adults who benefit from consistent one-to-one attention and prefer working with a single therapist over a longer period. It suits people with adequate insurance coverage or the financial means for private pay, since session costs are higher than agency-based care. Couples therapy is appropriate if both partners are willing to attend and work toward communication or conflict resolution. She does not treat children or adolescents, so families looking for child therapy need another resource. If you are in acute crisis (suicidal thoughts, active self-harm, substance intoxication), the emergency room or 24-hour crisis line is the appropriate entry point, not private therapy.

What the first visit involves

Schedule by contacting Ugel directly to discuss availability and insurance. You will likely have a phone consultation to discuss your presenting concerns and whether the match feels right before a first in-person appointment. Bring photo identification and insurance card if applicable. The first session typically includes a clinical intake covering your history, current symptoms, relationships, work, medical and psychiatric history, and what you hope to achieve in therapy. This information shapes the treatment plan. Subsequent sessions are usually 50 minutes. Most therapists in Baltimore schedule weekly or biweekly depending on need and availability.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Confirm hours and location directly with Ugel's office, as solo practices have less posted online than larger organizations. Ask about parking in the building or neighborhood, which varies widely across Baltimore depending on the office location. Baltimore's parking is inconsistent; some therapists offer parking spots, others are in neighborhoods with street parking. Ask during your scheduling call.

Why this practice matters in Baltimore

The city has a shortage of available mental health appointments; solo practitioners like Ugel add capacity and offer an alternative to the months-long wait times at some agencies. Direct clinician-client scheduling is an advantage in a city where barriers to mental health access remain high.