Colette De Marneffe in Baltimore: Psychology PhD for Adults Seeking Therapy Outside Psychiatry

Colette De Marneffe holds a PhD in psychology and maintains a practice in Baltimore focused on individual psychotherapy with adult clients. She is not a physician and does not prescribe medication; her work is talk therapy grounded in psychodynamic and relational approaches. For Baltimore residents seeking psychological care without psychiatric evaluation, or those already in medication management elsewhere, her model separates therapeutic depth from prescribing authority.

What Colette De Marneffe Actually Is

De Marneffe is a licensed clinical psychologist offering individual therapy. A PhD in psychology qualifies her for licensure and therapy delivery but not for medical diagnosis or medication. This distinction matters: she works with clients on mood, relationships, identity, and life direction through conversation and psychological insight, not clinical assessment for conditions like depression or anxiety disorder, and not pharmacology. Her practice appeals to people who want focused psychological exploration without a medical framework, or who work with their primary-care doctor or a psychiatrist for medication while seeing De Marneffe for therapy.

Her training centers on psychodynamic and relational theory, which means sessions explore patterns in relationships, unconscious drivers, and how past experience shapes present choice. This is distinct from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is protocol-driven and symptom-focused, or from psychiatric management, which diagnoses and prescribes.

Therapy Focus and Process

De Marneffe works with adults on identity, relationships, life transitions, and existential questions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes and occur weekly or biweekly. The first session functions as a mutual assessment: the therapist listens to what brings you in, asks about history and current life structure, and explains her approach. Clients and therapist then decide whether the fit is good. No psychometric testing or diagnostic interview occurs; the focus is on understanding your narrative and how you came to the present moment.

Treatment timeline varies widely. Some clients work with De Marneffe for a defined period (six months, one year) on a specific transition or relationship. Others continue for several years, using therapy as a sustained space for psychological development. Unlike protocol-based therapy with a set endpoint, psychodynamic work may unfold differently for each person.

Fee Structure

De Marneffe operates as a private-pay practice, meaning you pay her directly rather than filing insurance. Session fees are in the $150 to $200 range, though confirm the current rate when you call, as independent practices adjust fees periodically. Some clients use their health savings account (HSA) or out-of-network insurance reimbursement; ask her office for the superbill so you can submit for reimbursement yourself.

A private-pay model means no insurance pre-authorization delays and full confidentiality outside medical record systems (though notes stay in her file). The trade-off is cost: uninsured weekly therapy runs roughly $600 to $800 per month. For clients with limited means, some therapists offer sliding scale; confirm whether De Marneffe does.

How De Marneffe Fits Among Baltimore's Psychology and Therapy Options

Baltimore has robust mental health resources across tiers. University of Maryland Medical Center and Johns Hopkins operate psychiatry and therapy services, typically in-network and connected to medical records. These settings excel at diagnostic clarity and medication but move faster and have shorter session times. Dr. Sheppard Pratt offers psychiatry and therapy in multiple locations; Community Health Center offers low-cost or sliding-scale therapy for uninsured residents. Therapists through Psychology Today's directory vary widely in credential (PhD, LCSW, LCPC), orientation, and fee.

De Marneffe suits someone seeking continuity with a PhD-level psychologist whose entire practice is long-form individual therapy, not one therapist among many in a large system. She is not the right choice if you need psychiatric diagnosis, medication management, or fast-track crisis support. She is appropriate if you have health insurance elsewhere for medical needs and want psychological depth, or if you value independence and confidentiality in a private arrangement.

First Visit and What to Bring

Call or email to schedule an initial consultation. You will likely have a brief phone screening and be offered a first appointment within one to two weeks. Come prepared to speak about what brings you in, your relationship and family history, work and life circumstances, and any previous therapy. If you are on psychiatric medication, be ready to name the drugs and dosages; De Marneffe will not manage these, but needs the picture.

Bring a form of payment (credit card, check, or transfer information for her payment method). If you plan to file for out-of-network reimbursement, ask for a receipt or superbill at the end of the session.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

De Marneffe's office is in Baltimore; confirm the exact address and neighborhood when you book. Her hours accommodate working adults; sessions are typically available weekday evenings and some weekend slots. Parking depends on location; ask about street parking or lot access when you call.

Colette De Marneffe brings disciplined psychodynamic training and a focused practice model to Baltimore's mental health landscape, suited for adults who want sustained psychological work with a PhD-level therapist operating independently of large medical systems.