Judi Sprei - DBTMaryland in Baltimore: Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Federal Hill
Judi Sprei runs a standalone DBT practice in Baltimore that specializes in dialectical behavior therapy for adults, with emphasis on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and borderline personality disorder (BPD) and related conditions. Unlike general psychotherapy offices that offer DBT as one of several treatment modalities, DBTMaryland operates as a focused clinical environment built around the four-module structure that DBT requires: individual therapy, skills training groups, phone coaching, and therapist consultation teams.
What DBTMaryland actually is
DBT is a structured, evidence-based treatment originally developed for chronically suicidal individuals with BPD. It combines cognitive-behavioral change techniques with Zen acceptance and validation strategies. A full DBT program involves four concurrent components: a therapist for individual sessions, a skills-training group (where clients learn modules on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness in sequence), phone coaching between sessions, and a therapist team that meets to prevent therapist burnout and ensure treatment fidelity.
Judi Sprei is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with specific training in DBT. DBTMaryland operates as a freestanding clinic rather than a department within a larger mental health system, which affects both continuity of care and how referrals flow. The practice serves the Baltimore region and accepts out-of-state clients for teletherapy in select cases.
Services and structure
DBTMaryland offers individual DBT therapy with Judi Sprei and enrollment in the skills-training group, which meets weekly and cycles through the four modules over six months. Clients typically commit to a one-year treatment contract, which is standard across DBT programs and reflects the intensity required for meaningful change in emotion dysregulation.
Pricing is not listed publicly on the practice website. Contact is required to discuss fees, insurance acceptance, and what out-of-pocket costs will be. Many DBT programs charge on a sliding scale or offer reduced rates for uninsured clients, but specifics vary. If you carry insurance, calling ahead to ask whether DBTMaryland is in-network for your plan prevents a surprise at intake.
Phone coaching is included in the DBT model and occurs as needed between sessions, typically brief check-ins during a crisis or when a client is practicing a new skill. This is not a separate fee; it is built into the DBT structure.
How it compares to other Baltimore DBT options
DBT in Baltimore is available through larger hospital systems, including the Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and the University of Maryland Medical System, both of which run DBT programs with multiple therapists and clinical structure. These programs reach more clients and often have existing partnerships with primary care or psychiatric practices. Their trade-off is longer waitlists (often three to six months) and less flexibility in scheduling.
DBTMaryland is smaller, which can mean shorter waitlists for intake but also depends on the current demand. Choose a hospital-based program if you are referred by a psychiatrist or primary care doctor already within that system and insurance is a priority; choose DBTMaryland if you want continuity with a single provider who specializes exclusively in DBT and are willing to manage insurance questions yourself. The single-provider model also means that if Judi Sprei is your individual therapist, you know exactly who will be coaching you through crises, which some clients find more stabilizing than rotating therapists.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
DBTMaryland is for adults (typically 18 and older) with patterns of emotional dysregulation, chronic suicidality, non-suicidal self-injury, or a BPD diagnosis who are willing to commit to a structured year-long program. DBT requires active participation in the skills group and engagement in homework between sessions. It is not suitable for someone looking for once-weekly talk therapy or for those unable to attend a weekly group.
People in acute psychiatric crisis, actively psychotic, or in the midst of severe substance intoxication may need inpatient or intensive outpatient care before DBT is appropriate. Those without internet access or a stable phone line will have difficulty with the phone coaching component, though you can discuss accommodations at intake.
What the first visit involves
Intake at DBTMaryland includes an assessment of your psychiatric history, current symptoms, goals, and readiness for the DBT program. Judi Sprei will explain the one-year commitment, the four components, and what happens if you miss sessions or choose to leave. You will also be asked about your previous treatment history, medications, and whether you are willing to sign a commitment contract, which is a standard part of DBT and not a punitive document but a mutual agreement on goals.
If you are accepted into the program, you will receive a start date for the skills group (groups typically begin on a rolling basis) and a schedule for individual therapy. Some DBT programs require a psychiatric evaluation or medication management from a collaborating psychiatrist; confirm whether this is required when you call.
Hours, location, and logistics
DBTMaryland is located in Federal Hill, Baltimore. The practice offers in-person and teletherapy appointments; check the website or call for exact hours, as group meeting times are fixed each week but individual session hours may vary. Street parking is available in Federal Hill, though arriving 10 minutes early is wise during evening groups.
A verification note: DBT group schedules can shift seasonally or with enrollment changes. Confirm the exact day and time of the skills group when you contact the practice.
Judi Sprei is one of the few DBT specialists who runs an independent practice in Baltimore rather than within a hospital or large clinic. The focused structure and direct continuity make this a practical choice for people whose insurance covers out-of-network providers or who are willing to pay cash-rate fees for a highly specific treatment approach.
