Dr. Alice A. Adams in Baltimore: PhD-Level Psychologist for Adult Therapy and Evaluation
Dr. Alice A. Adams holds a PhD in clinical psychology and practices individual psychotherapy and psychological evaluation in Baltimore, treating adults with depression, anxiety, trauma, and life adjustment issues. She operates as an independent practitioner rather than as part of a larger clinic system, which shapes appointment availability, insurance handling, and the continuity of care model she offers.
What Dr. Adams actually does
Dr. Adams provides evidence-based psychotherapy (talk therapy) and formal psychological evaluations. Her PhD qualifies her to conduct comprehensive assessments that go beyond screening: testing for cognitive function, personality structure, trauma history, and diagnostic confirmation. This differs from therapy-only practices in that evaluation can feed directly into treatment planning or support applications for accommodations, disability determination, or custody evaluation. She works primarily with adults in one-on-one sessions.
Services and fees
Psychotherapy sessions run 50 minutes and typically cost between $150 and $180 per session (confirm current rates when calling). Most sessions are billed to insurance; out-of-pocket rates apply when deductibles have not been met or insurance does not cover the visit. Psychological evaluations are priced on scope and range from $800 to $2,500 depending on complexity; for example, a cognitive screening costs less than a full PTSD trauma assessment with multiple test batteries. Evaluations are often not covered by insurance and require upfront discussion about cost and what an evaluation will answer.
Insurance acceptance includes many major plans, though you should verify that your specific plan reimburses for out-of-network psychologists, as this varies widely. Some patients from plans that do not cover psychology at all seek Dr. Adams because her evaluation reports are detailed enough to support disability applications or school accommodations without insurance reimbursement.
How she compares to other Baltimore psychologists
Baltimore has a mix of large group practices (Harbor Health, some Johns Hopkins Psychology Network affiliates) and independent practitioners. Large groups often have faster appointment availability, sometimes 2 to 3 weeks; Dr. Adams, as a solo practitioner, typically has a 4 to 8 week wait for initial appointments. Large groups are more likely to accept all insurance plans and handle billing directly; independent practitioners like Dr. Adams require you to manage insurance claims or pay out-of-pocket. However, independent practitioners often do not rotate staff, meaning you see the same person consistently, and they have more control over evaluation protocols. If you need rapid access and straightforward insurance billing, a large group practice is more practical. If you want continuity, detailed evaluation work, or are willing to handle insurance yourself, an independent PhD-level psychologist may be worth the wait.
Who Dr. Adams suits and who she does not
Dr. Adams suits adults who need ongoing therapy and have been willing to wait for an appointment; those seeking formal evaluation for a specific question (Is this PTSD? Do I have ADHD?); and people whose insurance does not cover psychology or who are willing to pay out-of-pocket for detailed assessment. Her focus on adults means she does not treat children or adolescents. She is not suited for patients who need crisis intervention (call 988 or go to an ER) or those who require immediate medication management; a psychiatrist handles prescribing. People who need rapid appointment access and prefer in-network, all-inclusive billing should contact large practices first.
What the first visit involves
The first session is an intake: Dr. Adams will ask about your presenting problem (why you called), medical history, family history, current medications, and what you hope to get from therapy. This usually fills one 50-minute session and is followed by a treatment plan discussion at session two. If you have requested a formal evaluation, the intake happens in the first session, and testing is scheduled over one or more subsequent sessions; results and a written report typically take 2 to 3 weeks after testing is complete.
Hours, location, and logistics
Dr. Adams maintains flexible hours and offers some evening appointments to accommodate working schedules; contact her directly for the current schedule. She is located in Baltimore and can confirm parking when you call for an appointment. She does not offer telehealth routinely, though she may accommodate remote sessions for existing patients with specific needs; new patients are typically seen in person.
Dr. Adams represents the independent psychology practice model in Baltimore: when insurance access is not the bottleneck and continuity of care matters more than speed, a PhD-level solo practitioner provides evaluation and therapy depth that matches complex clinical needs.
