Dr. Anita O. Solomon in Baltimore: A PhD-Level Psychologist and Mental Health Provider
Dr. Anita O. Solomon is a licensed clinical psychologist (PhD) in Baltimore offering individual psychotherapy and psychological assessment services to adults. Her practice treats mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, and behavioral health concerns through evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy. She operates as an independent provider within Baltimore's fragmented mental health marketplace, which means patients can access her directly without requiring a referral from a primary care physician, though many insurance plans will cover services if properly coded.
What Dr. Solomon Offers
Dr. Solomon holds a PhD in clinical psychology, which distinguishes her credential and training scope from master's-level licensed professional counselors and master's-level licensed clinical social workers, both of whom also practice therapy in Baltimore. Her doctorate typically represents additional years of doctoral-level training, supervised practice, and dissertation research, though both PhD and PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) holders can meet the same licensure standards in Maryland. She provides individual psychotherapy for adults presenting with depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, adjustment issues, and relational difficulties. She also conducts comprehensive psychological evaluations, which may be ordered by physicians, employers, or individuals seeking diagnostic clarity prior to treatment.
The distinction between assessment and therapy is practical: an assessment is a one-time or short series of sessions (typically 2 to 5 appointments) that concludes with a detailed report and diagnostic summary, while therapy is ongoing treatment that may span weeks, months, or longer depending on goals and progress.
How Scheduling and Insurance Work
Dr. Solomon accepts most major insurance plans in Maryland, including those administered by CareFirst (BlueCross BlueShield), Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna. Patients should verify their specific plan's mental health coverage before the first appointment, as copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums vary by plan and may be higher for out-of-network providers. As an independent practitioner, she may be in-network with some plans and out-of-network with others.
New-patient appointment availability varies; Baltimore-area therapists commonly report wait times of two to eight weeks for initial appointments, depending on the season and her current caseload. This is standard across the city and is not unique to her practice, but represents a persistent challenge in Baltimore's mental health access landscape.
How She Compares to Other Baltimore Mental Health Providers
Dr. Solomon's practice differs in three meaningful ways from other common options. First, her PhD-level training and independent practice status contrast with community mental health centers, which often employ master's-level clinicians and can offer lower-cost sessions (sliding scale or subsidized) but longer wait times and less continuity of care. Baltimore's Centers for Behavioral Health (part of Baltimore City Health Department) is the largest public option; it serves uninsured and under-insured residents but typically has four-to-twelve-week initial appointment waits. Second, she is not a psychiatrist, meaning she cannot prescribe medication; patients requiring medication management must coordinate with a separate psychiatric provider, which is common in Baltimore but fragments care and lengthens the process of getting treated. Third, her independent practice means fewer administrative barriers than larger systems, but it may not be appropriate for patients in acute psychiatric crisis who require immediate hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs (IOP), which are available through Johns Hopkins Medicine, UM Medical Center, and Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.
Who Benefits and Who Does Not
Dr. Solomon is most appropriate for employed or insured adults with stable mental health who are ready for ongoing therapy or a diagnostic evaluation. She works well for patients who have failed to connect with previous providers and prefer continuity with a single clinician rather than rotation among staff at a clinic. She is not suitable for patients with acute suicidal or homicidal ideation (who should call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or go to the nearest emergency room), patients who require psychiatric medication as their primary treatment, children or adolescents (she serves adults only), or uninsured patients needing sliding-scale fees.
What to Expect on Your First Appointment
The initial session typically lasts 50 to 60 minutes. Dr. Solomon will collect a detailed history of symptoms, past treatment, family background, and current stressors. She will ask about substance use, sleep, appetite, and suicide or self-harm ideation as part of routine screening. If you are there for an assessment (rather than therapy), she will explain the evaluation process, what testing or questionnaires will be used, how many sessions the process will take, and when you will receive the written report. If you are there for therapy, she will help you articulate your goals and explain her therapeutic approach. Bring your insurance card and photo ID, and arrive 10 minutes early to complete new-patient forms.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Dr. Solomon's office is located in Baltimore, though the exact address and parking details should be confirmed directly with her office phone line or website, as this information is subject to change. Most independent practitioners in Baltimore operate by appointment only (no walk-in hours) and keep office hours on weekdays during business hours, typically 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some offering early morning or early evening slots. Confirm specific hours before scheduling.
Dr. Solomon merits inclusion in Baltimore's mental health provider landscape because she offers continuity, doctoral-level training, and direct access to a licensed clinician without requiring a referral, addressing a significant gap in a city where public mental health services are chronically backlogged and many residents lack easy access to individual therapy from senior-level providers.
