Kelly Maurine K., PhD in Baltimore: Individual Psychotherapy and Diagnostic Assessment

Kelly Maurine K., PhD is a psychologist in Baltimore offering individual psychotherapy and psychiatric diagnostic evaluation from a private practice setting. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and conducts therapy for adults dealing with mood, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment issues, working primarily on a direct-pay basis rather than through insurance panels. Her practice sits apart from large hospital-based psychiatry departments and community mental health agencies, serving patients who either prefer privacy, do not have insurance, or are navigating complex diagnostic questions that benefit from extended assessment time.

What this practice actually is

Dr. K. operates as an independent clinical psychologist, not a psychiatrist, which shapes both what she offers and how she fits into Baltimore's mental health landscape. Psychologists conduct therapy and psychological testing; they cannot prescribe medication in Maryland (only two states allow psychologist prescribing with additional training). She does not manage patients on psychiatric medication, but she regularly refers patients to psychiatrists and other prescribers when medication evaluation is needed. Her practice is smaller and appointment-focused than community mental health centers, and she does not offer crisis intervention or walk-in emergency services. This model suits patients seeking continuity with one provider and time for thorough evaluation before treatment begins.

Services and pricing

Dr. K. provides two main services: individual psychotherapy and comprehensive psychological/diagnostic assessment. Psychotherapy sessions are 50 minutes; pricing is fixed at $175 per session (verification note: confirm this rate when contacting the practice, as private-pay rates shift occasionally). Assessment batteries for diagnostic clarification, ADHD evaluation, learning disability screening, or fitness-for-duty questions are longer engagements, typically spanning 6 to 10 hours across multiple sessions. Assessment fees are quoted on a package basis after an initial consultation and range from $2,000 to $4,500 depending on scope. This is significantly higher than community mental health centers (which charge on a sliding scale, often $20 to $80 per session for uninsured or underinsured patients) but lower than some neuropsychological testing practices in Baltimore, which often charge $3,000 to $6,000 and require referral from a physician.

Payment is private pay only: Dr. K. does not file insurance claims on behalf of patients, though some patients choose to submit superbills (itemized receipts) to their insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement if their plan allows. This is a meaningful difference from in-network providers and community health centers, where copays and coinsurance are negotiated in advance.

How it compares to other Baltimore psychiatry and psychology options

Baltimore has several tiers of mental health services. Community mental health agencies such as the Community Health Association of Maryland (CHAM) clinics offer medication management, therapy, and psychiatric evaluation at low cost ($0 to $80 per visit on sliding scale); wait times for new patients often run 4 to 8 weeks. Hospital-based psychiatry departments at Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and MedStar Health provide full spectrum care including crisis stabilization, inpatient beds, and medication management but are usually accessed through referral and are designed for insured patients and acute care. Private psychiatrists in Baltimore who accept insurance are often booked 6 to 12 weeks out and may limit new patients. Dr. K. differs from all three: she is available faster than hospital-based or insurance-network psychiatrists, costs less than many private psychiatrists who charge $250 to $350 per session, but is more expensive than sliding-scale community services. She is best suited to patients who value depth of assessment, continuity of care, and privacy, and who can pay out-of-pocket.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Dr. K.'s practice is ideal for adults who are uninsured or underinsured, who are self-paying for privacy reasons, or who need a thorough psychiatric or cognitive evaluation before starting medication or pursuing other treatment. It also suits people who have tried community or hospital-based services and prefer a longer initial consultation and personalized approach. It does not suit patients in acute crisis (she does not provide same-day emergency appointments or crisis de-escalation), those with severe untreated bipolar disorder or psychosis (medication initiation is not her scope), or those who cannot afford to pay $175 per session out of pocket. It is also not the right fit for patients with Medicaid or Medicare who would qualify for fully covered services at community health centers.

What the first visit involves

An initial session with Dr. K. runs 75 minutes. She conducts a thorough intake, gathering history of presenting problems, family mental health background, trauma, substance use, medical history, and previous treatment. She explains her approach, clarifies whether the patient is seeking ongoing therapy, diagnostic assessment, or both, and discusses fees and payment logistics. At the end of the first session, she typically outlines a preliminary treatment plan or assessment timeline and answers questions. She will recommend psychiatric referral at this stage if medication appears necessary and is outside her scope. The next steps depend on what emerges: if therapy is the goal, the patient moves to weekly or bi-weekly 50-minute sessions; if assessment is the priority, she schedules additional appointments for testing and structured interviews.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Dr. K.'s practice is located in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore. Office hours are typically Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with limited Friday availability (verify current hours when scheduling). Parking on the street is available and free. The office is a short walk from the Canton Green light rail stop (a 10-minute ride from downtown Baltimore) and is accessible by car from I-95 northbound or I-83. There is no on-site parking lot. Appointments are by scheduled phone or online booking only; drop-ins are not accepted.

An independent psychology practice that offers unhurried diagnostic evaluation and consistent psychotherapy is scarce in Baltimore, and one that does so without insurance paperwork friction or multi-month waitlists fills a genuine gap for self-pay patients.