Marisa Galas, PhD in Baltimore: Individual Therapy for Adults with a Focus on Anxiety and Life Transitions

Marisa Galas is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice who sees adult clients for individual psychotherapy in Baltimore County, specializing in anxiety disorders, life transitions, and adjustment difficulties. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology and operates an independent practice, meaning she controls her own scheduling, fee structure, and clinical approach without affiliation to a hospital system or large mental health corporation.

What she actually does

Galas provides weekly or biweekly therapy sessions for adults dealing with anxiety, depression, career changes, relationship strain, and major life shifts like relocation or loss. She uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as core frameworks. Her practice is small and solo, which means she manages her own caseload and does not refer clients to other clinicians within a group model. Sessions are 50 minutes, held in her office in Towson.

Fees and what insurance covers

Individual therapy sessions typically cost $150 to $175 when paid out-of-pocket; the exact rate depends on the client's circumstances. Galas accepts most major insurance plans, including Cigna, BCBS, Aetna, and United Healthcare. Out-of-pocket rates often apply if a client's plan requires out-of-network payment. Many Baltimore-area clients with high-deductible plans or employer self-insured plans find out-of-pocket rates necessary until deductible thresholds are met. Unlike community mental health centers that operate on a sliding-scale fee structure, a private psychologist's fees are fixed; however, some private practitioners will negotiate rates for cash-pay clients committing to regular, ongoing sessions.

If you are using insurance, call the provider line on your card to verify in-network status before scheduling, as her network status can vary by plan year.

How this compares to other Baltimore-area options

Baltimore has multiple pathways to therapy: large systems like Behavioral Health Systems (which operates clinics across Baltimore City), community health centers like Park Heights Community Health Center offering low-cost group and individual therapy, and numerous independent psychologists and therapists in private practice. Therapists at community health centers typically charge $25 to $60 per session on a sliding scale but often have longer wait times and may limit the frequency or duration of ongoing therapy. Private practitioners like Galas charge higher per-session fees but typically offer faster appointment access, more flexibility in scheduling, and continuity with one clinician. Galas's focus on anxiety and life transitions, paired with her psychology doctorate and CBT/ACT approach, positions her for clients seeking specialized, longer-term treatment for specific issues rather than crisis intervention or brief stabilization.

Who this fits and who it doesn't

Galas suits adults who have health insurance or can afford out-of-pocket rates, who have stable enough circumstances to attend regular weekly or biweekly appointments, and who are seeking ongoing talk therapy for anxiety, adjustment, or relationship or work-related stress. She does not handle crisis intervention, psychiatric medication management (therapy-only practice), substance abuse treatment, or psychosis. Clients in acute crisis should contact the Baltimore Crisis Response Center (410-433-5000) or a psychiatric urgent care facility instead.

What a first appointment involves

Initial sessions typically include a clinical interview covering presenting concerns, relevant history, current stressors, mental health and medical background, and treatment goals. Galas will ask about previous therapy experience and what you hope to achieve. She will outline her approach, confidentiality limits, and fee and insurance policies. Most first sessions last 50 minutes and do not involve formal testing or diagnosis that day, though she will assess safety and symptom severity. You should bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of any current medications.

Hours, location, and logistics

Galas's office is located in Towson, in Baltimore County. She typically offers daytime and early evening appointments, with some flexibility for working adults; exact available hours change seasonally and by client load. Parking is available at the office location. To confirm current hours and book an appointment, call or check her listing on your insurance provider's directory or through Psychology Today's therapist finder.

A PhD in clinical psychology, combined with a solo private practice, signals deep training in research-informed therapy and accountability to state licensing standards, making her suitable for adults who want sustained, focused psychological treatment rather than brief check-ins or psychiatric medication monitoring alone.