Paul B Sheesley in Baltimore: Individual Counseling for Substance Use and Life Transitions
Paul B Sheesley is a master's-level therapist licensed in both clinical professional counseling (LCPC) and addiction counseling (LCADC) who works with adults navigating recovery from substance use, relationship problems, and major life changes. His practice sits within Baltimore's network of specialized mental health providers, where most counselors hold either the LCPC or LCADC credential, but not both, making a dual-licensed clinician less common.
What Sheesley actually offers
Sheesley operates as an independent practitioner offering individual therapy sessions. The LCADC credential marks him as trained specifically in addiction assessment, treatment planning, and motivational interviewing for substance use disorders, while the LCPC allows him to address co-occurring mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and relationship stress that often accompany recovery. His practice focuses on adult clients; he does not list adolescent specialization. Sessions are confidential and structured around each client's goals, whether that is sustained sobriety, family healing, grief processing, or coping with job loss or divorce.
Services and session structure
Individual counseling sessions typically run 45 to 50 minutes. Sheesley likely charges on a per-session basis; specific current rates require direct contact to confirm, as private practice fees in Baltimore's counseling market range between $80 and $180 per session depending on clinician credentials and experience. Many insurance plans cover mental health counseling at a co-pay of $20 to $50 per visit, though out-of-network rates may require patient reimbursement and submission. Clients without insurance can ask about sliding-scale fees, which some independent therapists offer but others do not.
The first session is typically an intake appointment lasting 60 to 75 minutes. Sheesley will gather history (including substance use, family background, medical information, and current stressors), explain confidentiality limits (mandatory reporting of abuse or imminent danger), and work with the client to define treatment goals. A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled within one to two weeks.
How Sheesley compares to other Baltimore counselors
Baltimore has several hundred licensed mental health providers. Among those with dual LCPC and LCADC credentials, practitioners are fewer; most clinicians hold one or the other. If your primary concern is substance use recovery and you also have anxiety or relationship issues, a dual-credentialed therapist like Sheesley can address both in one therapeutic relationship, avoiding the need to coordinate with separate providers. By contrast, many community mental health centers in Baltimore (such as those operated by Behavioral Health System Baltimore, the public system) assign clients to single-credential clinicians and may require referrals to separate addiction specialists for co-occurring disorders.
Independent practitioners like Sheesley also offer flexibility in scheduling and continuity; you see the same clinician at each visit, with no turnover from rotation or clinic staffing changes. Community health centers often have shorter wait times (sometimes accepting new clients within two weeks) but may involve waiting rooms and less personalized availability. If you are insured through Medicaid, community centers are usually in-network; private practitioners may be out-of-network, requiring insurance verification before starting.
Who this suits and who it does not
Sheesley's approach works well for adults with motivation to engage in talk therapy, either newly in recovery or managing long-term sobriety, and for those navigating transitions (job change, divorce, grief) alongside substance use concerns. His LCADC credential signals training in the stages of change and motivational enhancement, which suit clients ambivalent about treatment or early in recovery. The one-on-one format is also appropriate for anyone who finds group settings (like support groups or group therapy) less comfortable.
This practice may not suit individuals who need psychiatric medication management (a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner must provide that), those requiring intensive daily or weekly support due to acute crisis or severe symptoms (partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs are more appropriate), or adolescents. Clients for whom substance abuse is primary and mental health is secondary might also be better served by addiction-focused programs with peer support and medical oversight.
What to expect on your first visit
Call to schedule an intake appointment, confirming Sheesley's current availability and whether he is in-network for your insurance. Have your insurance card available. At the first session, bring a brief written history if you have one: current medication, major medical conditions, family psychiatric history, and previous treatment attempts. Be prepared to discuss what brought you to therapy now. The conversation will feel like an interview, not yet like ongoing treatment; Sheesley will explain how therapy works and ask if you feel comfortable continuing with him. If you do not, most therapists will offer referrals to someone else.
Hours, location, and logistics
Specific hours and address require confirmation; contact Sheesley directly through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners' licensing lookup or through local therapy directories. If he practices from a private office in Baltimore, parking depends on the neighborhood (downtown and Inner Harbor areas typically charge; residential neighborhoods may offer street parking). Virtual sessions are increasingly common among independent counselors and may be available, worth asking about if transportation or scheduling is difficult.
Sheesley's dual credential and focus on adults in recovery and life transition make him a practical choice for Baltimore clients who want specialized addiction training without switching providers and who prefer continuity with a single therapist.
