Charles Citrenbaum, PhD in Baltimore: Private Practice Psychotherapy for Adults
Charles Citrenbaum, PhD is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Baltimore offering individual psychotherapy to adults, with a focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic approaches for anxiety, depression, and interpersonal issues.
What Citrenbaum Actually Offers
Citrenbaum holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and operates as an independent practitioner rather than as part of a hospital or large group. He works with adult clients on an individual basis; he does not provide psychiatric medication management, couples therapy, or child services. His practice draws on two distinct therapeutic models: CBT, a structured, problem-focused method with a clear timeline and measurable goals, and psychodynamic therapy, which explores patterns rooted in past experience and unconscious factors. This dual orientation allows him to tailor his approach depending on whether a client benefits more from concrete skills and symptom reduction or from deeper exploration of relational patterns.
Fee Structure and Insurance
Individual sessions are typically charged at standard Baltimore-area private-practice rates. Verify current pricing directly with the practice; rates for out-of-pocket, out-of-network care generally range from $150 to $250 per 50-minute session in Baltimore, depending on provider credentials and client circumstances. Citrenbaum accepts some insurance plans; insurance coverage varies widely by plan and network status. Before your first appointment, ask the office which plans they accept and whether they bill directly or require you to pay and seek reimbursement. Many insurance plans cover psychotherapy under mental-health benefits, but deductibles, copays, and session limits (sometimes 20 or 52 per year) differ substantially.
How Citrenbaum Compares to Other Baltimore Psychotherapists
Baltimore has a substantial pool of individual practitioners. The core difference is structure and approach: CBT-focused practices like many managed-care panels emphasize symptom relief and shorter treatment courses (often 12 to 20 sessions), while practitioners trained primarily in psychodynamic or psychoanalytic work may expect longer engagement and deeper historical exploration. University-affiliated clinics (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland) typically offer lower fees on a sliding scale but longer waitlists and less choice of provider. Community mental-health centers like Behavioral Health System Baltimore offer low-cost and uninsured care but often higher volume and less continuity with a single clinician. Private practitioners like Citrenbaum position themselves between managed care and clinic care: higher fees than public systems, more personalized attention than large practices, and freedom to offer either short-term focused work or longer-term therapy depending on client need.
Who Suits This Practice and Who Does Not
Citrenbaum is appropriate for adults who have insurance or can pay out of pocket, who are looking for either structured symptom-focused work or deeper psychological exploration, and who can manage a private-practice scheduling process without the built-in accommodations of a large system. His practice does not serve children, couples, or individuals seeking immediate psychiatric evaluation or medication management. If you have active suicidal ideation, psychosis, or acute substance-use crisis, a hospital emergency department or crisis line is the correct entry point, not a private practice. If you have no insurance and limited income, a community mental-health center is typically more affordable.
First Appointment and Process
Contact the office to schedule an initial consultation. You will be asked basic demographic and insurance information and a brief history of what brings you in (symptoms, recent events, previous therapy). The first session is usually 50 minutes and functions partly as intake and partly as a first therapeutic encounter. Citrenbaum will assess your current situation, explain his approach, and discuss what you might expect if you continue. At the end of that session, you and he will agree on a plan: frequency of sessions (typically weekly or every other week), the therapeutic model he recommends, and an estimated timeline. No commitment to long-term therapy is required; you can attend one or a few sessions to explore fit before committing further.
Hours and Location Logistics
Citrenbaum operates a private practice; hours and location details are best confirmed by calling or checking his practice website. Private practices in Baltimore are typically available during weekday business hours and often offer one or two evening slots weekly. Parking availability depends on the exact location within Baltimore. Many private practitioners operate in medical office parks or building complexes with dedicated parking; some work in row-house offices on residential streets with street parking. Confirm parking availability when you call to schedule.
Why This Practice Fits Baltimore's Mental-Health Landscape
Baltimore has strong academic mental-health infrastructure through Johns Hopkins and UMB but limited mid-tier private practice options for adults seeking consistent, relationship-based care outside of large systems. A well-trained, experienced private practitioner who offers both manualized and exploratory therapy fills a genuine gap for employed adults and those with insurance who want personalized attention and flexibility in treatment focus.
