Dana E. O'Brien, PhD in Baltimore: Psychology Practice for Individual and Family Assessment

Dana E. O'Brien, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice offering psychological evaluation, diagnosis, and therapy across individual adult and adolescent clients. Operating in Baltimore's medical landscape, this practice handles both routine mental health concerns and complex diagnostic work that typically requires referral from a primary care physician or employer.

What the practice actually is

O'Brien holds a PhD in clinical psychology and is licensed by the Maryland Board of Examiners of Psychologists as an independent practitioner. The practice model is outpatient one-on-one or family-based therapy and assessment, not medication management; psychiatrists handle that tier. Baltimore-area patients often move between O'Brien's office for talk therapy and a psychiatrist's office for medication review. The practice sits in the middle of the Baltimore provider ecosystem: not a community mental health agency (those serve uninsured and low-income patients at lower cost) and not a hospital-based department, but a specialized independent office.

Services and fees

O'Brien offers initial intake appointments to assess presenting problems, establish a diagnosis (if appropriate), and create a treatment plan. Ongoing therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes per week, weekly or bi-weekly. The practice also conducts psychoeducational evaluations, particularly for learning disability and ADHD assessment in adolescents and young adults, which take multiple sessions and require detailed reporting.

Private-pay rates for therapy are generally $150 to $200 per session for out-of-pocket patients in Baltimore; rates vary by therapist credentials and experience level. Insurance accepted varies; many private practices in Maryland bill Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna directly, though coverage levels (copay, deductible, out-of-network status) depend on the patient's specific plan. Ask about the practice's current insurance panel membership and verify the active status before booking.

Psychoeducational evaluations (ADHD, learning disability, cognitive assessment) typically cost $1,500 to $3,000 out-of-pocket when not covered by insurance, reflecting 8 to 15 hours of testing, scoring, and report writing. Some insurance plans partially cover evaluation; others do not. Confirm coverage and out-of-pocket cost in advance.

How this practice compares to other Baltimore options

Baltimore has a two-tier outpatient psychology market. Community mental health agencies like Health Care for the Homeless, Bon Secours Behavioral Health, and the Community Crisis Response Team serve uninsured and Medicaid patients, often at $0 to $50 per session on a sliding scale. Private psychologists like O'Brien typically serve insured, employed, or out-of-pocket patients at the higher fee range.

Among private practitioners in Baltimore, O'Brien's PhD credential and focus on assessment alongside therapy is common; many licensed clinical social workers (MSW or LCSW) and licensed professional counselors (LPC) offer similar formats at slightly lower cost ($100 to $150 per session for new practitioners, $150 to $180 for established ones). The difference is not quality but scope: a PhD psychologist typically has deeper training in psychological testing and diagnostic complexity, making them the appropriate choice for evaluation of learning disabilities, ADHD, or personality pathology requiring detailed interpretation. For brief anxiety or depression management in adults with clear diagnoses, an LPC or LCSW is often sufficient and more readily available.

Who this practice suits and who it does not

Choose O'Brien if you need psychological evaluation (ADHD assessment, learning disability testing, cognitive or personality evaluation), have insurance that covers private practitioners, can afford the out-of-pocket rate if insurance does not cover the full session fee, or prefer an established PhD-level provider. Choose a community mental health agency if cost is the primary barrier or if you are uninsured. Choose a psychiatrist directly if medication is your primary need; choose an LPC or LCSW if you need therapy alone and want lower cost or more immediate availability.

The first visit

Initial appointments begin with a detailed intake covering presenting concerns, psychiatric and medical history, current medications, substance use, and past treatment. Bring your insurance card and photo ID. If seeking evaluation (ADHD, learning disability), bring school records, prior testing results if available, and a detailed developmental history. The first session usually does not include a diagnosis; O'Brien will gather information and may schedule additional sessions or preliminary assessment before a final evaluation report is delivered.

Hours and logistics

Contact the practice for current hours and appointment availability; many Baltimore private psychology practices operate Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with select evening slots. Confirm the office location, parking availability, and telehealth options before scheduling. Ask whether the practice accepts new patients; established practices in Baltimore often maintain a waitlist.

O'Brien's practice fills the niche of detailed diagnostic and longer-term psychological work for Baltimore patients with stable insurance and the resources to commit to ongoing treatment or comprehensive evaluation.