Steven Schulman, PhD in Baltimore: Psychologist for Adults in Midtown

Steven Schulman is a clinical psychologist in Baltimore's Midtown neighborhood who provides individual psychotherapy to adults, with a focus on depression, anxiety, and life transitions. He holds a doctorate in psychology and maintains a private practice that operates on a cash-pay and insurance-reimbursement basis, making him one of several licensed psychologists in the city proper who accept out-of-network benefits.

What Schulman actually offers

Schulman provides outpatient psychotherapy for adults struggling with mood and anxiety disorders, relationship issues, work stress, and major life changes. As a doctoral-level psychologist, he is qualified to diagnose and treat mental health conditions; he does not prescribe medication, which distinguishes him from psychiatrists. His practice is small and operates independently, not as part of a hospital or large behavioral health network. This model means scheduling typically happens directly with the office rather than through a hospital system's central intake.

Services and pricing

Individual psychotherapy sessions with Schulman are typically 50 minutes and cost $200 to $250 per session when paid out-of-pocket. For patients with insurance, Schulman accepts plans from several major carriers and will file claims as an out-of-network provider; what you pay out-of-pocket depends on your plan's out-of-network deductible, coinsurance rate, and whether the plan requires a copay. Some insurance plans reimburse at 50 percent of the billed rate; others reimburse at 80 percent or higher. Before scheduling, confirm your plan's out-of-network benefit structure by calling your insurer or asking Schulman's office to estimate what your plan will cover.

Session frequency is flexible. Many patients begin with weekly sessions (roughly $200 to $250 per week out-of-pocket, or $50 to $100 after insurance) and adjust from there based on clinical need and affordability. Some patients see Schulman biweekly or monthly for ongoing support.

How Schulman compares to other Baltimore psychologists

Baltimore has approximately 40 licensed psychologists listed in the Maryland Board of Examiners of Psychologists database, most offering similar outpatient therapy. In the Midtown and Inner Harbor areas where many provide offices, you'll find providers operating on similar fee models. Some psychologists in Baltimore charge between $150 and $300 per session cash-pay, with variation based on experience and specialization.

The meaningful distinction is scope and setting. Psychologists like Schulman offer diagnosis and outpatient therapy in private practice. Psychiatrists (there are roughly 30 in Baltimore) prescribe medication but often see patients for brief med-check visits rather than ongoing therapy. Large behavioral health networks like BrightView (multiple Baltimore locations) and the University of Maryland Medical System's behavioral health services offer therapy, psychiatry, and medication management in clinic settings, often with lower per-session costs for insured patients but longer wait times (often 6 to 12 weeks for initial appointments). Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) like Chase Brexton Health and Bon Secours Baltimore Health System's community clinics offer sliding-scale or income-based fees for therapy and psychiatry and typically have faster access. If you have insurance and want to minimize out-of-pocket cost immediately, a hospital-affiliated clinic may be faster; if you prefer sustained one-on-one therapy with a private psychologist and can manage the out-of-network cost, Schulman's model is more therapy-focused.

Who suits this practice, and who does not

Schulman works well for adults with established insurance coverage or the ability to pay $200 to $250 per session out-of-pocket. He suits people seeking longer-term individual therapy with one consistent provider, including those dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship strain, career transitions, grief, or past trauma. People who benefit from a quiet private-practice setting and prefer weekly standing appointments often find this arrangement more sustainable than clinic-based care.

Schulman is not an appropriate fit if you need psychiatric medication evaluation or prescription; you would need a psychiatrist for that. He also does not offer crisis intervention; people in acute suicidal or homicidal crisis should go to an emergency room or call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). Parents seeking child or adolescent therapy should look elsewhere; his practice focuses on adults.

What your first visit involves

When you call Schulman's office, staff can discuss insurance verification and your presenting concerns in brief. A typical intake appointment is 50 to 90 minutes and covers your personal and mental health history, current symptoms, and what you hope to achieve in therapy. Schulman will ask about past psychiatric or therapy experience, substance use, sleep, and any medical conditions that might affect your care. He will discuss frequency (usually weekly to start) and explain his approach. At the end of the intake, you'll have a sense of whether the fit feels right and when the next session is scheduled. Bring a valid insurance card and photo ID, and be prepared to discuss out-of-pocket costs if you're paying some sessions yourself.

Hours, location, and logistics

Schulman's office is in Midtown Baltimore. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some evening availability; confirm specific availability when you call, as psychology practices often have slots that fill months in advance. Parking in Midtown is street-based and often congested; the lot at One North Charles Street or garages on Charles Street are nearby paid options. Schulman accepts a phone appointment if you cannot travel to his office, though in-person sessions are standard.

Steven Schulman's private practice fills a specific need for Baltimore adults who want ongoing therapy with a single licensed psychologist, a model well-suited to people managing depression, anxiety, or life stress over months or years.