Dr. Nancy Moonstarr, PhD in Baltimore: Individual and Couples Therapy with a Trauma and Attachment Focus

Dr. Nancy Moonstarr is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Baltimore, operating as an independent clinician rather than within a larger medical center or group practice. Her work centers on individual therapy for adults and couples counseling, with particular emphasis on trauma recovery and attachment-based approaches. She is a psychologist (PhD), not a psychiatrist, meaning she conducts therapy and psychological evaluation but does not prescribe medication.

What Dr. Moonstarr Actually Does

Moonstarr practices talk therapy with two main client populations: individual adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational patterns, and couples seeking to repair communication and rebuild connection. Her theoretical orientation draws on attachment theory and trauma-informed practice. She does not advertise emergency psychiatric care, inpatient assessment, or medication management; clients who need psychiatric medication are expected to work with a psychiatrist or primary-care physician in parallel.

This is a solo private practice, not a clinic with multiple providers. That arrangement suits clients seeking consistent, longer-term relationships with a single therapist and willing to work around one provider's schedule.

Services and Pricing

Individual therapy sessions run 50 minutes and are billed at $150 per session. Couples sessions are the same length and cost and are also priced at $150. Moonstarr is an out-of-network provider, meaning she does not bill insurance directly; clients pay at the time of service and may submit receipts to their insurance for potential reimbursement, depending on their plan's out-of-network benefits.

No sliding scale or reduced fee option is advertised. This pricing is in the standard range for licensed psychologists in Baltimore offering individual and couples therapy; in-network providers through major insurers (UnitedHealthcare, CareFirst, Aetna) typically charge $75 to $120 after copay or coinsurance, making out-of-network therapy more expensive for those with coverage, but attractive to uninsured clients or those seeking a provider without insurance restrictions.

How Moonstarr Compares to Baltimore Psychologists

The Baltimore therapy landscape includes large practices such as Sheppard Pratt, affiliated clinics within Johns Hopkins and University of Maryland systems, and numerous independent practitioners. Sheppard Pratt and hospital systems typically offer in-network billing, which lowers out-of-pocket cost for insured clients, but often involve wait lists and assignment to rotating providers. Many clinicians in Sheppard Pratt and hospital clinics are also trainees or those building credentials, whereas an established solo practitioner like Moonstarr offers stability and an uninterrupted therapeutic relationship, at the cost of higher out-of-pocket expense and no insurance billing.

Choose Moonstarr if you value continuity, want a therapist with deep expertise in trauma and attachment, and either have no insurance or are comfortable paying out-of-network rates. Choose a Sheppard Pratt or hospital-affiliated clinic if you need your insurance to cover most of the cost, are in crisis and need rapid access, or are open to being paired with any available qualified provider.

Who Fits and Who Does Not Fit

Moonstarr suits motivated adults in stable housing and employment who can commit to regular weekly sessions, afford the out-of-pocket cost, and are oriented toward psychological insight work. She suits couples willing to attend together and to focus on emotional patterns rather than litigation or separation logistics.

She is not the right fit for someone in acute psychiatric crisis (suicidal ideation, psychosis, active substance withdrawal), someone without stable income to pay $150 per session, someone needing medication management, or someone seeking court-ordered or insurance-mandated care. Clients in crisis should contact Baltimore's Crisis Response Team at 410-433-5175 or go to an emergency department.

First Visit and Intake

Initial sessions follow a standard intake format: Moonstarr collects history (family background, trauma, prior therapy, current stressors), assesses presenting concerns, and establishes goals. Expect to spend time on paperwork (consent to treatment, privacy practices, emergency contact). This session often lasts 50 to 60 minutes and is billed the same rate as ongoing sessions. She will likely discuss frequency (weekly is typical), duration of treatment (open-ended for both individual and couples work), and confidentiality limits (required reporting of child abuse, neglect, and imminent danger).

For couples, both partners must agree to enter therapy; if one partner is unwilling, individual therapy is the alternative until both are ready.

Hours, Location, and Logistics

Moonstarr's practice hours and specific Baltimore neighborhood location are not publicly posted on a searchable web directory; potential clients typically locate her through word-of-mouth referral, therapist-matching sites, or insurance out-of-network provider lists. Contact information for scheduling should be verified directly, as private practitioners' phone numbers and availability change. Most independent therapists in Baltimore operate 9am to 6pm weekdays, with some early evening slots; confirm specific hours and parking details when calling to schedule.

Why Moonstarr Fits Baltimore's Therapy Landscape

In a city with both large institutional mental health systems and many independent practitioners, Moonstarr represents the established solo-practice model, offering consistent, relationship-focused therapy for clients who prioritize continuity and expertise over insurance convenience.