Barbara Siddle, PhD in Baltimore: Individual Psychotherapy for Adults with Trauma and Relationship Issues
Barbara Siddle, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Baltimore offering individual psychotherapy, with a clinical focus on trauma, attachment patterns, and relationship concerns. She operates as a solo practitioner, which means longer appointment availability and continuity with a single provider, though it also means no group coverage during her absences.
What Barbara Siddle, PhD actually is
A licensed clinical psychologist (PhD in clinical psychology) operating an independent private practice in Baltimore. She is not part of a larger medical system or group practice, so patients work directly with one provider throughout treatment. She does not prescribe medication; referral to a psychiatrist or primary care physician is required if medication is part of treatment planning. Her focus is on individual talk therapy for adults, not couples or family work, and not crisis intervention or psychiatric hospitalization.
Services and session structure
She offers weekly individual psychotherapy sessions. Session length and cost per session should be confirmed directly, as privately practicing psychologists in the Baltimore area typically charge between $150 and $250 per 50-minute session depending on experience, credentials, and specialization. Some patients use out-of-network mental health benefits; others pay out of pocket. Many insurance plans reimburse a portion of out-of-network therapy if the provider holds a valid doctorate and state license, so it is worth checking your specific plan benefits before the first appointment.
Treatment typically unfolds over multiple months to years, not weeks. Initial sessions focus on history, current symptoms, and goals. No specific timeline or session count defines "completion"; therapy ends when you and Siddle agree treatment goals have been reached.
How this compares to other Baltimore counseling options
Solo psychologists like Siddle differ fundamentally from group practices and community mental health centers in appointment access and insurance participation. Group practices such as those at Johns Hopkins Bayview or University of Maryland Medical Center psychiatry departments can often schedule new patients faster and participate directly with more insurance plans, but typically charge less per session because they operate within hospital systems. Community mental health agencies in Baltimore (including Bon Secours Baltimore's behavioral health line) serve uninsured and Medicaid patients at lower or sliding-scale costs but may have waiting lists of several months. Private solo practitioners like Siddle offer continuity and specialization, yet assume the patient will manage insurance claims or out-of-pocket payment, and have no backup coverage during vacation or illness. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and licensed counselors (LPCs) in private practice often charge $100 to $180 per session and are more likely to participate in insurance networks, though they hold a master's degree rather than a doctoral credential. Psychiatrists in private practice focus on medication management and are not typically the primary therapist.
Choose a solo psychologist if you value long-term continuity with a doctoral-level provider and can manage the financial and scheduling logistics of a private practice. Choose a group practice if you need faster scheduling or direct insurance billing. Choose a community mental health center if cost or insurance coverage is the primary concern.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This practice is well matched to adults with a trauma history, unresolved attachment patterns from childhood, or relationship patterns that repeat across connections. Patients who engage in psychological reflection and are willing to commit to a longer therapeutic relationship benefit most. People in acute crisis (suicidal ideation, psychosis, domestic violence) should seek immediate care at a hospital emergency department or crisis line instead, not a private practice appointment that may be weeks out. Those without the means to pay out of pocket or those needing medication as a first-line treatment should pursue community mental health or a psychiatrist.
What the first visit involves
A new-patient intake session typically runs 50 to 60 minutes and covers history, current concerns, treatment goals, and risk assessment. Siddle will ask about psychiatric and medical history, family background, substance use, and any previous therapy. Bring insurance information and a list of current medications if applicable. If you are established with another mental health provider, authorization to coordinate care may be discussed. The intake is diagnostic; a recommendation for treatment frequency and a tentative plan emerge from it. Cost is typically the standard session rate; payment expectations (insurance, cash, card) should be clarified when you schedule.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Confirm office location, hours, and parking directly with her office. Private practices in Baltimore often operate Monday through Friday with limited evening hours. Parking is typically street parking or a shared building lot depending on location. No telehealth policy is specified here; ask when scheduling whether remote sessions are available, as this varies by provider and state regulation.
Why this belongs in a Baltimore guide
Individual psychotherapy with a doctoral-level clinician is a substantive part of mental health care in any city. Siddle's solo practice, trauma specialization, and direct patient relationship reflect a type of care distinct from hospital psychiatry or community clinics. Knowing where to find it matters as much as knowing the difference.
