Alison J Bomba, PsyD in Baltimore: Private Practice for Anxiety and OCD Treatment
Alison J Bomba is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Baltimore offering individual psychotherapy, primarily for anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adolescents and adults. She practices independently rather than within a larger clinic or hospital system, which means scheduling is managed directly between client and provider rather than through a medical center's appointment line.
What you are actually getting
Bomba holds a doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD) and is licensed by the State of Maryland. She works as a solo practitioner, seeing clients on a one-to-one basis in her private office. Her practice focuses on anxiety-related conditions and OCD using evidence-based treatment approaches. This setup contrasts with Baltimore's larger integrated behavioral health options, such as the University of Maryland Medical Center's psychiatric services or the Johns Hopkins Community Psychiatry division, which offer multiple clinicians and on-site psychiatric medication management under one roof. With a private practitioner, you communicate directly with one provider; medication management typically requires a separate referral to a psychiatrist or your primary care doctor.
Services and fees
Psychotherapy with Bomba is billed per 50-minute session. Individual practitioners in Baltimore private practice typically charge between $120 and $200 per session depending on credentials, specialization, and demand; verify your specific rate directly when scheduling. Insurance acceptance varies by plan and provider; many private practitioners in Baltimore accept some major insurances (including Maryland Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare) but not all. When you call to schedule, ask whether your insurance is in-network and whether you will owe a copay or coinsurance. Out-of-pocket cost per session usually ranges from $0 to $80 for in-network clients, depending on your plan and deductible status. If uninsured or out-of-network, expect to pay the full session fee and submit your own claim to insurance for reimbursement.
How Bomba compares to other Baltimore psychologists
Baltimore has psychologists available through multiple pathways. Johns Hopkins offers psychologists on staff through its community psychiatry clinics and outpatient behavioral health services, though intake may involve a brief wait and appointments are typically scheduled through their central line. University of Maryland's psychology services are similarly structured. These settings integrate psychiatry (medication prescribing) on-site, which can be more coordinated if you need both therapy and pharmacological treatment. Smaller group practices and independent practitioners, such as Bomba, offer fewer bureaucratic layers and potentially faster scheduling but require you to arrange psychiatric care separately if needed. Choose a hospital-affiliated service if you want integrated care under one system and don't mind a slightly longer intake process. Choose private practice if you prefer a consistent one-on-one relationship and flexibility in scheduling, and if you are comfortable managing a separate prescriber relationship.
Who this suits and who it does not suit
This practice works well for adults and adolescents with anxiety or OCD who want focused, longer-term psychotherapy and do not need psychiatric medication management at the same location. It is efficient for clients who have already identified their primary needs and want to start quickly without a lengthy intake assessment. It suits people with flexible schedules who can work around one provider's availability. It does not suit clients who need same-day crisis support, psychiatric hospitalization, or immediate medication evaluation. If you require urgent mental health intervention, go to an emergency department (Johns Hopkins Bayview, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, or University of Maryland Medical Center's ER all have psychiatric services). It is not ideal for someone actively suicidal or in acute psychosis. It is less suitable for clients who need multiple on-site services, such as concurrent family therapy or substance-use counseling, though Bomba may refer you to colleagues for those services.
What the first visit involves
When you call to schedule, you will likely answer basic intake questions over the phone regarding your symptoms, medication history, and insurance. Bring your insurance card and a government-issued ID to your first in-person appointment. The first session typically runs 50 to 60 minutes and focuses on understanding your history, current concerns, and treatment goals. Bomba will ask about your anxiety or OCD symptoms, what triggers them, and how they affect work, school, or relationships. She will assess whether a medication evaluation with a psychiatrist is needed and provide a referral if appropriate. You and she will discuss treatment framework (usually cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention, or similar evidence-based approaches) and agree on a plan.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Alison Bomba's office location and hours are best confirmed directly by phone or via Psychology Today's provider directory, where she is listed. Private practices in Baltimore typically offer weekday hours, some early morning or evening appointments, and fewer weekend slots. Street parking or lot parking availability depends on her specific office location; call ahead to ask about parking logistics. Telehealth sessions are increasingly available post-pandemic; ask when scheduling whether virtual appointments fit your preference.
Bomba's focused expertise in anxiety and OCD, combined with the efficiency of direct private-practice access, makes her a practical choice for Baltimore residents seeking specialized outpatient psychotherapy without the wait times of larger hospital systems.
