Catherine Medina in Baltimore: Individual Therapy for Adults in Federal Hill

Catherine Medina is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) offering individual psychotherapy to adults in a private practice setting located in Federal Hill, one of Baltimore's densest residential neighborhoods south of the Inner Harbor. She specializes in depression, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship concerns, working primarily with established clients on a longer-term basis rather than crisis intervention or brief consultation.

What Catherine Medina's practice is

Medina operates as a solo private practitioner, not as part of a larger clinic or hospital system. This structure means direct access to the same therapist across sessions, no intake coordinator or treatment team, and continuity of care built on consistent one-to-one relationship. Sessions are 50 minutes, standard across most individual therapy providers in the region. Her practice is LCSW-licensed, a credential requiring a master's degree, 2,000+ supervised clinical hours in Maryland, and passing the ACSW exam. LCSW-licensed clinicians in Maryland may diagnose and treat mental health conditions within their scope; they cannot prescribe medication but often coordinate with prescribing physicians.

Services and fees

Medina charges on a sliding scale basis, with fees typically ranging from $80 to $120 per session depending on income. Confirm current rates before booking, as private practitioners sometimes adjust fees annually. She does not bill insurance directly; clients pay out of pocket and may seek reimbursement from their own plans if their policy covers out-of-network mental health care. This out-of-pocket model is common among Baltimore therapists in private practice but differs from practices embedded in larger medical systems (such as those at Johns Hopkins or University of Maryland Medical Center) where billing coordinators handle insurance claims in real time. No upfront deposit or commitment contract is required; sessions are typically scheduled weekly or biweekly.

How Catherine Medina's practice compares to other Baltimore counseling options

Baltimore hosts a broad mix of mental health providers: nonprofit community mental health centers (Cornerstone Montgomery, listed as serving multiple Maryland counties), private practices led by LCSWs or licensed professional counselors (LPCs), psychiatrist-led clinics, and hospital-affiliated outpatient departments. Nonprofit centers typically offer sliding-scale or Medicaid-funded care and often have shorter wait lists for initial appointments because they are funded for higher caseloads; the trade-off is less continuity, as clients may rotate through multiple therapists. Private practitioners like Medina offer guaranteed continuity and often more flexible scheduling but may have longer wait times for new clients and usually do not accept insurance. If you have Medicaid, a nonprofit center is likely faster and free. If you have commercial insurance and prefer one-on-one care without insurance friction, a private practitioner's out-of-pocket model avoids claim denials. If you need medication management, a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner is necessary; Medina provides therapy only.

Who suits this practice and who does not

Medina's practice suits adults with steady income or insurance reimbursement, established mental health concerns (depression, anxiety, relationship issues) rather than acute crisis, and preference for one consistent therapist over time. It does not suit clients in acute psychiatric crisis, those requiring immediate hospitalization assessment, individuals on a tight budget without insurance, or those needing medication management. Medina's practice appears not to list specialization in trauma, PTSD, or substance use disorder treatment, which are better served by providers with explicit expertise in those areas.

What a first visit involves

New clients contact Medina directly to schedule a consultation, usually conducted by phone or email. The initial session is a standard intake covering presenting problem, mental health history, relevant life context, and goals for therapy. Expect 50 minutes, not a longer initial assessment. From that session forward, work is typically psychodynamic or supportive in orientation, involving talking through current stressors and patterns. Medina does not advertise use of specific evidence-based protocols (CBT, DBT, ACT), so ask directly if you are seeking a particular therapeutic modality.

Hours, location, and logistics

Medina's practice is located in Federal Hill; exact street address and hours are best confirmed by direct contact, as private practitioners often have limited public online presence. Federal Hill has street and lot parking, though availability varies by time of day and season. No walk-in appointments; all sessions are by prior scheduling.

Catherine Medina fills a specific niche in Baltimore's counseling landscape: a private individual provider offering continuity, flexible scheduling, and straightforward out-of-pocket pay for adults who prioritize ongoing relationship with one therapist and can manage insurance reimbursement independently. She is not the fastest path to care or the most affordable entry point, but she is suited to clients with sustained need and stability.