Shonda Therapy in Baltimore: Individual Counseling for Black Women
Shonda Therapy is a solo therapy practice run by a licensed clinical social worker specializing in work with Black women on identity, relationships, grief, and trauma within Baltimore's West Baltimore neighborhood.
What Shonda Therapy actually is
Shonda Therapy operates as an independent counseling practice, not a clinic or group practice. The therapist holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential and maintains a caseload limited by design to allow deeper engagement with each client. The practice is located in a residential part of Baltimore, accessible by car or public transit, and is one of few solo practices in the city that explicitly centers Black women's lived experience in its clinical approach.
Services and pricing
Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes and cost $100 per session. The therapist accepts a limited number of insurance plans; verify coverage by calling (410) 446-6879. Clients without insurance or with plans not accepted can access care on a self-pay basis.
The practice does not offer group therapy, psychiatric medication management, or couples counseling. If a client needs medication oversight, the therapist can provide referrals to Baltimore-based prescribers. Sessions are weekly or every other week depending on need and availability.
How Shonda Therapy compares to other Baltimore options
Baltimore's counseling landscape for Black women includes larger group practices like Sagel Therapy Collective (serving multiple neighborhoods, accepting most insurance plans, $80-150 per session depending on provider level) and independent therapists scattered across the city. Shonda Therapy's $100 rate sits in the middle of the market. The key difference is practice structure: Shonda Therapy's solo model means limited availability and a single therapeutic relationship without the option to see a colleague if the primary therapist is booked. Sagel and similar group practices offer flexibility and faster new-client appointments, at the tradeoff of potentially less personal continuity. For clients seeking a specialist relationship with one provider who has deep clinical expertise in identity and trauma work with Black women, Shonda Therapy's restriction to individual care and limited caseload may be an asset. For those needing urgent availability, medication management, or couples work, a group practice or larger clinic is more practical.
Who Shonda Therapy suits and who it does not
Shonda Therapy suits individual Black women seeking ongoing talk therapy for grief, identity questions, relationship patterns, or past trauma. It fits clients who prefer a solo practitioner and are comfortable with potential waitlists for appointment scheduling. It does not suit clients who need medication management, emergency psychiatric services, or same-week availability. It is not appropriate for couples work, family therapy, or clients whose primary need is crisis intervention. Clients new to therapy and unsure whether they want to commit to weekly sessions may find the solo-practice model limiting if cancellation or rescheduling becomes necessary.
What the first visit involves
New clients call to schedule an intake appointment. The first session runs 50 minutes and focuses on history, current concerns, and fit. The therapist asks about previous therapy experience, current stressors, and treatment goals. No forms are completed during the session; insurance and payment information is handled before or after. If a good fit exists, standing weekly or biweekly appointments are scheduled. If not, the therapist will refer the client to other Baltimore providers.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Shonda Therapy operates by appointment only; there are no walk-in hours. Sessions are offered weekday evenings and some Saturday mornings. Parking is available on the street near the office; the location is near the Mondawmin transit hub, accessible by the #3 bus. Confirm exact hours and parking details when scheduling, as evening availability adjusts seasonally.
Shonda Therapy's focused scope and deliberately limited caseload make it a deliberate choice rather than a default option in Baltimore's mental health market, suited to clients prioritizing relational depth and cultural specificity over convenience.
