Christine Carrington, PhD in Baltimore: Individual Therapy and Couples Work in Canton
Christine Carrington, PhD, runs a small private practice in Canton offering individual psychotherapy and couples counseling to adults in the Baltimore area, with a clinical focus on relationship dynamics, life transitions, and anxiety.
What the practice actually is
Carrington is a licensed clinical psychologist holding a PhD and operating as a solo practitioner rather than as part of a larger clinic or hospital system. The practice takes on a limited caseload, meaning appointment availability is constrained but individual sessions can be scheduled without waiting weeks. She works with adults only, not children or adolescents. Sessions follow a traditional 50-minute format in a private office setting. The practice is cash-pay and does not file insurance claims on the client's behalf, though Carrington provides itemized receipts that clients can submit to their own insurance carriers for out-of-network reimbursement.
Services and fees
Individual psychotherapy costs $180 per 50-minute session. Couples work is $210 per 50-minute session. Initial consultations are 30 minutes and cost $60. Carrington does not charge for brief phone inquiries to determine fit. There is no sliding scale; fees are fixed. Payment is expected at the end of each session. Many clients use funds from health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to cover costs, and those accounts may be reimbursed by insurance even when the provider is out of network.
How this practice compares to other Baltimore counseling options
Baltimore has both large group practices and solo practitioners. Groups like the Baltimore Therapy Center and Behavioral Health Associates (BHA) accept insurance directly and have multiple therapists on staff, which typically means shorter waitlists and lower per-session fees ($60 to $140 for in-network clients), but also less choice in therapist continuity and sometimes less time per intake appointment. University of Maryland's psychology department clinic offers low-cost or sliding-scale services (as low as $20 to $40 per session) but uses graduate student therapists under supervision and has long waitlists that can stretch six months or more. Carrington's model sits in the middle: higher out-of-pocket cost, but direct access to a licensed psychologist with extensive experience, no waitlist beyond a few weeks, and full continuity of care in a quiet office setting. The trade-off is that clients must either pay upfront and seek reimbursement themselves or factor the session cost into their monthly budget without automatic insurance processing.
Who this practice suits and who it does not
Carrington's approach fits adults who value consistency, have the financial capacity to pay out of pocket or have HSA/FSA funds, and either have minimal insurance coverage or prefer not to navigate managed care. It works well for clients with complex relationship dynamics or anxiety rooted in life context rather than crisis situations requiring urgent psychiatry or inpatient stabilization. It does not suit people in acute psychiatric crisis, those taking psychiatric medications who need a psychiatrist's oversight alongside therapy, families seeking therapy for children, or anyone whose insurance plan requires in-network providers and who does not have the means to self-pay. If you are uninsured and cost-sensitive, UMBC's clinic or nonprofit community mental health centers like South Baltimore Community Health Center may be more appropriate.
What the first visit involves
After a brief phone screening (typically 5 to 10 minutes at no charge), you are offered an available time slot within one to three weeks. The consultation appointment is 30 minutes and covers your presenting concern, relevant history, current stressors, and what you hope to achieve in therapy. Carrington assesses fit and asks clarifying questions; if the match seems poor, she will offer referrals to other therapists whose focus areas may align better. If you proceed, the first full session is scheduled at the regular rate ($180 individual, $210 couples) and typically occurs within the following week or two.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The practice is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Canton location has street parking; there is no dedicated lot. The practice is accessible by car via Boston Street or by the #10 MTA bus line. No telehealth is offered; all sessions are in-person in the office.
Carrington fills a specific niche for working adults in Baltimore seeking consistent, private outpatient therapy without the friction of insurance coordination, provided they have the financial flexibility to pay upfront.
