KARIS Counseling & Consulting, LLC in Baltimore: Individual and Couples Therapy with a Sliding-Scale Option
KARIS Counseling & Consulting, LLC is a small private practice offering individual psychotherapy, couples counseling, and family therapy to Baltimore residents, structured to remain accessible through income-based fees rather than a fixed flat rate.
What KARIS actually is
KARIS operates as a licensed counseling practice serving Baltimore's North and Central regions. The practice functions as a private outpatient provider, not hospital-affiliated, and accepts both insurance and self-pay clients. Unlike larger group practices or nonprofit community mental health centers, KARIS maintains a small therapist roster, which means shorter waitlists but narrower evening and weekend availability.
Services and pricing
KARIS offers individual psychotherapy (weekly or biweekly), couples counseling, and family sessions. Individual session fees range from $60 to $150 depending on income and ability to pay; the practice uses a transparent sliding scale rather than a single advertised rate. Couples sessions typically cost $80 to $180 per hour. Most insurance plans are accepted, though verification of coverage and out-of-pocket maximums is necessary before the first appointment.
The sliding-scale model sets KARIS apart from many private practices in Baltimore that charge a flat fee, though it also differs from nonprofit community health centers (such as Behavioral Health System Baltimore clinics) where Medicaid clients pay little or nothing and fees are driven by insurance reimbursement rather than individual negotiation.
How KARIS compares to other Baltimore options
Private practices in Baltimore generally fall into three tiers. Full-fee private practices (often $150 to $250 per session) serve insured and high-income self-pay clients. KARIS sits in the middle by offering insurance acceptance and a sliding scale, making it more flexible than strict flat-fee practices but less subsidized than nonprofit community mental health centers, which serve primarily low-income and Medicaid populations.
Community Mental Health System Baltimore (the city's largest public provider) offers therapy at minimal cost for uninsured and Medicaid clients but has long waitlists and may route new clients to group rather than individual sessions initially. University of Maryland Counseling Center and Johns Hopkins Psychology Services offer therapy but primarily for university students or hospital patients. For someone with some insurance coverage or modest means seeking a shorter wait and a smaller practice, KARIS's approach differs meaningfully. For someone without insurance or in financial crisis, a public community health center may be more appropriate.
Who KARIS suits and who it does not
KARIS works well for Baltimore adults with insurance or the means for a $60 to $180 session fee, seeking ongoing individual or couples therapy without a long wait. It suits people who prefer a smaller practice over a large group and who have some flexibility with appointment timing (since the practice does not guarantee evening or Saturday availability).
KARIS does not suit clients who must pay nothing or near-nothing (Medicaid and uninsured clients should contact Baltimore Community Health Center or Behavioral Health System Baltimore). It is not appropriate for acute psychiatric crises (go to the ER) or for those needing psychiatric medication management if KARIS therapists are counselors rather than prescribers (confirm at intake).
What the first visit involves
Initial appointments typically include a 60-minute intake, during which you discuss presenting concerns, mental health and medical history, current medications, and therapy goals. The therapist explains the sliding scale and confirms insurance details if applicable. You will be asked to sign a consent form covering confidentiality limits (mandatory reporting of abuse, intent to harm) and fee expectations. A follow-up appointment is scheduled before you leave if both parties agree to continue.
Hours, parking, and logistics
KARIS maintains limited weekend and evening hours; most appointments are offered weekdays during business hours. The practice is located on Baltimore's North side; street parking is available but can be competitive during weekday business hours. Confirm exact hours and the nearest public transportation link when you call, as availability changes seasonally and therapist schedules shift.
KARIS fills a specific gap in Baltimore's counseling landscape: affordable individual therapy without the long waitlists of public centers and without the full cost of traditional private practice.
