Diane C. Altscher, Psy.D., in Baltimore: Individual Therapy for Adults and Specialized Behavioral Assessment
Dr. Diane C. Altscher is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing individual psychotherapy for adults in Baltimore. Her practice focuses on talk therapy delivered in a traditional one-on-one format, without group sessions or medication management. She holds a doctorate in psychology (Psy.D.) and is licensed to practice by the Maryland Board of Examiners of Psychologists, placing her within the subset of Baltimore mental health providers qualified to conduct behavioral assessment and clinical diagnosis.
What Altscher's practice actually offers
Dr. Altscher provides psychotherapy for adults experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship stress, life transitions, and other issues common to individual therapy. Sessions are 50 minutes and conducted in-person. Her practice does not include psychiatric medication services or prescribing authority; psychiatry is a separate medical field, and patients who need medication evaluation must see a psychiatrist concurrently or separately.
Behavioral assessment is part of her clinical scope. This involves structured questioning, testing instruments, or observation used to understand the root of a presenting problem, distinguish between related diagnoses, or evaluate readiness for change. Assessment often precedes or runs parallel to ongoing therapy.
The practice does not advertise specialized track in areas such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or eating disorders, which some Baltimore psychologists market explicitly. This distinction matters for patients seeking evidence-based protocols for specific diagnoses.
Fees, insurance, and payment terms
Session fees are not published on widely available listings, so prospective patients must contact the practice directly to confirm current rates (verification note: therapist fees in Baltimore typically range from $120 to $200 per session, depending on credentials and location, and increase over time). Insurance acceptance varies by plan; some patients use out-of-network benefits with direct reimbursement. Altscher's practice status as in-network or out-of-network for major Baltimore-area insurers including CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield should be confirmed during initial contact.
Many therapy practices ask for payment at the time of service, though some accept delayed billing through insurance. Cancellation policies, typically requiring 24 to 48 hours' notice, vary by provider and should be discussed upfront.
How Altscher compares to other Baltimore psychologists
Baltimore has several thousand licensed psychologists. The most common distinction is between providers who focus on psychotherapy alone and those who combine therapy with other modalities. Dr. Altscher's traditional talk-therapy approach differs from psychologists offering neurofeedback, art therapy, or specialized trauma protocols available elsewhere in the region.
Compared to psychiatrists (who manage medication as a primary tool), psychologists like Altscher rely on conversation and behavioral technique. For someone with depression who may benefit from both therapy and medication, a psychiatrist and psychologist working in tandem is standard. For someone specifically seeking long-term talk therapy without medication, a clinical psychologist is the appropriate match.
Baltimore also houses psychology practices offering group sessions, couples therapy, or family therapy in dedicated formats. Altscher's individual adult therapy fits a narrower lane than multimodal group practices but suits patients who prefer one-on-one sessions.
Who this practice suits and who it does not
Individual therapy with Dr. Altscher suits adults seeking focused, confidential talk therapy for anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, or relational concerns. It works well for patients already stable on medication (managed by a psychiatrist) who want to deepen insight through therapy, or for those who prefer to avoid medication and address issues through conversation and behavioral change.
It does not suit patients requiring psychiatric medication initiation or adjustment; those individuals need a psychiatrist's evaluation first. It is not designed for couples or family conflict resolution, though it can help one individual manage their role in a relationship. Patients seeking intensive modalities such as DBT or specific trauma protocols advertised by other Baltimore clinicians may find more specialized programming elsewhere.
What to expect on a first visit
New patients typically start with a 50-minute initial consultation in which Dr. Altscher gathers history, identifies concerns, and begins to shape a clinical picture. This first session is primarily informational; the psychologist asks structured questions about mental health history, current stressors, medical background, and what prompted the call. Diagnosis is not always rendered in session one, particularly if assessment is ongoing.
Patients should bring insurance information and any relevant medical records, though this varies by practice protocol. Discussing fee and insurance coverage during check-in avoids surprises later. Many offices ask patients to complete intake paperwork before the first meeting to save in-session time.
Hours, location, and logistics
Dr. Altscher's office location and appointment availability should be confirmed by phone or through her professional listing, as practice details shift. Therapy offices in Baltimore typically operate Monday through Friday during standard business hours, with limited evening or weekend slots. Parking at individual therapy offices is rarely mentioned upfront; on-street or lot parking varies by neighborhood. Street-level independent practices are common in Roland Park, Canton, and Federal Hill.
Diane C. Altscher represents one option within a large and varied psychology marketplace in Baltimore, suitable specifically for adults preferring traditional one-on-one therapy without medication management or specialized protocols.
