Harold A. Ziesat, PhD in Baltimore: Individual Therapy and Psychological Assessment for Adults

Harold A. Ziesat, PhD operates a solo private practice offering individual psychotherapy and comprehensive psychological testing for adults in the Baltimore area. This is a credentials-based practice emphasizing assessment and longer-term therapeutic work rather than crisis intervention or medication management; it serves people seeking a licensed doctoral-level psychologist with a specific focus on testing and diagnosis.

What Harold A. Ziesat, PhD Actually Is

Ziesat holds a PhD in clinical psychology and is licensed as a psychologist in Maryland. He runs a small independent practice, not part of a larger clinic or hospital system. His practice centers on two main services: individual therapy with adults and formal psychological testing (often called psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation). The testing component is distinct from talk therapy alone and is typically used to clarify diagnoses, assess cognitive function, or provide documentation for accommodations in school or work settings. The practice model is traditional: direct contact with one provider over time, without rotating clinicians.

Services and Fees

Individual psychotherapy is offered on a standard per-session basis. Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Current fees are not publicly listed online, so calling the office at the outset is necessary to confirm rates; many Baltimore-area therapists in private practice charge between $150 and $250 per session depending on insurance status and practice overhead.

Psychological testing and assessment is structured differently. A full evaluation usually requires multiple sessions (often four to eight hours of clinician time spread across appointments) and includes clinical interviews, standardized testing, scoring, interpretation, and a written report. Cost for a complete psychological evaluation ranges more widely based on complexity but often falls between $1,500 and $3,500. This service is less often covered by insurance as a full reimbursement; many plans cover portion of the assessment cost. Ziesat's office can clarify what your insurance will cover before you begin.

How This Practice Compares to Other Baltimore Counseling Options

Baltimore has several pathways to mental health care, each with different trade-offs. Large community mental health centers like the Johns Hopkins Bayview Psychiatric Center and Behavioral Health services through HealthCare for the Homeless offer lower-cost or sliding-scale therapy but typically have longer waiting lists and may limit session frequency. Practice-based psychiatrists and therapists affiliated with University of Maryland Medical Center or Sinai Hospital usually accept insurance directly and have faster appointment availability, but assignment to a specific provider is not guaranteed.

For psychological testing specifically, Baltimore is served by a smaller number of doctoral-level psychologists. Hospital-based neuropsychology programs at Johns Hopkins and UM offer testing but often prioritize referrals from their own physicians and may have longer waits. Private practitioners like Ziesat typically have shorter wait times (often one to three weeks for initial consultation) and allow choice of a specific, consistent evaluator. The trade-off is that private practitioners do not usually accept insurance assignment; the patient pays and requests reimbursement from the insurer. Ziesat's practice fits this model.

Who This Practice Suits and Who It Does Not

This practice is appropriate for adults who need ongoing therapy with one provider, appreciate continuity, and can work with a standard fee-for-service model. It is especially suited to people seeking psychological testing for diagnosis, educational accommodations, workplace accommodations, or clarity on cognitive or behavioral concerns. It works well for those with insurance that covers out-of-network psychology or for those paying out of pocket.

It does not suit people in acute crisis (emergency psychiatric care is not provided here); uninsured individuals on a very tight budget (sliding scale is not advertised, and fees reflect a full private practice); or those who strongly prefer a medication management component (Ziesat is a psychologist, not a psychiatrist, and does not prescribe). Anyone needing immediate psychiatric medication evaluation should contact an emergency room, urgent psychiatric clinic, or a psychiatrist directly.

What the First Visit Involves

An initial call to the office will establish fee and insurance details and clarify whether Ziesat has an opening. For therapy, the first appointment is typically an extended intake session, usually 60 to 90 minutes, covering personal history, current concerns, treatment goals, and basic mental health and medical background. The psychologist may then recommend a treatment plan and frequency of sessions.

For psychological testing, the intake appointment is similar in depth and may be longer. The psychologist will discuss the reason for testing, review background, and explain what the testing process will entail, how long it takes, and when the written report will be ready (typically two to four weeks after the last testing session). Testing itself involves standardized questionnaires, cognitive or ability measures, and sometimes computerized tasks; it is not therapy, though the conversation is clinical and thorough.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

Ziesat's office location is in the Baltimore area; the specific address should be confirmed by phone as practices occasionally relocate. Standard business hours are typical for a private practice, likely Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some variation. Evening or weekend appointments are not standard. Parking depends on the office location; downtown or Inner Harbor practices often offer street parking or nearby garages. Call ahead to confirm the current address and parking details.

Insurance and payment should be clarified before the first visit. Bring your insurance card; Ziesat will provide the information needed for out-of-network claims if you pursue reimbursement.

Harold A. Ziesat, PhD fills a specific niche in Baltimore's mental health landscape: doctoral-level psychological assessment and individual therapy with a consistent provider, suitable for adults seeking clarity on diagnosis or longer-term therapeutic work without institutional layers.