Melinda Goodman, PhD in Baltimore: Individual Psychotherapy for Adults in Federal Hill

Melinda Goodman, PhD, runs a solo private practice in Federal Hill offering individual psychotherapy to adults. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and works primarily with talk therapy; her practice does not prescribe medication and is not a psychiatric clinic. The office sits at the intersection of general-population mental health care and a field where Baltimore residents often struggle to find therapists accepting new patients or accepting insurance.

What Melinda Goodman's practice actually is

A private psychology practice that provides outpatient therapy is not a community mental health center or a hospital psychiatry department. Goodman operates independently, meaning the practice has no clinic setting, no walk-in hours, and no crisis services. Patients schedule appointments in advance, typically weekly, and see the same provider throughout treatment. The practice is not part of a hospital system and does not handle emergency psychiatric needs; patients in crisis should call 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to an emergency room.

Therapy appointments are held in-office in Federal Hill, a central Baltimore neighborhood that is walkable from Canton and accessible by car from most of the city.

Services and pricing

Goodman offers individual psychotherapy on a weekly or biweekly basis. Sessions run 50 minutes and cost $150 per session when paid out of pocket. This rate sits in the middle range for private-practice therapists in Baltimore; independent providers in the region typically charge $120 to $200 per session depending on credentials and experience.

Insurance billing varies. Goodman accepts some insurance plans; verify acceptance of your specific plan before booking. Many patients pay out of pocket and submit claims themselves for reimbursement, a common arrangement in private practice. If you use insurance, ask whether Goodman is in-network (you pay only a copay) or out-of-network (you pay the full fee and request reimbursement). Some plans reimburse 50 to 80 percent of out-of-network claims after you meet your deductible.

A single intake session typically costs the same as a regular session and lasts 50 to 75 minutes. This is your first meeting, where you and Goodman discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, mental health history, and goals.

How Goodman compares to other Baltimore therapists

Finding a therapist in Baltimore who accepts new patients can take months. Many private practices maintain wait lists of 6 to 12 weeks. Goodman's availability should be confirmed directly; do not assume immediate openings.

Other options in the city include university-based clinics (University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins both run training clinics where graduate students in psychology provide therapy under supervision, often at a sliding scale of $20 to $60 per session), community mental health centers like Bon Secours Hospital's Psychiatric Care and the Kennedy Krieger Institute's adult psychiatry programs (which handle both therapy and medication), and larger group practices such as Baltimore Therapy Partners (a multi-provider firm with several locations). University clinics have longer wait lists but lower cost. Community centers and hospitals offer integrated psychiatric care, including medication management, which private practice alone does not. Group practices may have shorter availability but less continuity of care.

Goodman suits patients who prefer long-term continuity with one therapist, do not need medication management, have insurance they can use out-of-network or can pay out of pocket, and are ready to commit to ongoing weekly therapy. She does not suit patients in acute crisis, those who need psychiatric medication as their primary treatment, patients with insurance that covers only in-network providers, or anyone seeking short-term therapy (fewer than eight weeks).

What the first visit involves

Call or email to schedule an intake appointment. Goodman will ask about your insurance (if applicable) and whether you prefer out-of-pocket payment or plan to bill insurance. At your first session, expect to discuss your current mental health concerns, relevant history, any previous therapy or medication, your goals for treatment, and what you hope to change. This is also your chance to ask Goodman about her approach, experience with your specific concerns, and expectations for therapy.

The intake lasts 50 to 75 minutes. If you proceed, you will schedule a weekly or biweekly standing appointment time. Therapy is confidential with standard exceptions: Goodman is legally required to break confidentiality if you disclose intent to harm yourself or others, child abuse, or elder abuse.

Hours, location, and logistics

The office is located in Federal Hill. Hours are typically Monday through Friday during daytime and early evening; exact hours should be confirmed when you call. Street parking is available in Federal Hill; the neighborhood has no dedicated lot, so plan to arrive 10 minutes early to find a spot. The office is accessible by car from all Baltimore neighborhoods and is a short walk from the Federal Hill light rail station if you use public transit.

Sessions are held in-person; Goodman does not offer teletherapy. If you cancel an appointment, most private therapists charge a cancellation fee if you do not provide at least 24 hours' notice; confirm this policy before you book.

To schedule, contact Goodman directly. You can find contact information through Psychology Today's therapist directory or by calling the Baltimore County or Baltimore City bar association for referrals.

Goodman's practice fills a real gap: adults in Baltimore often report spending weeks or months finding a therapist, and the private practitioners who do have openings vary widely in credentials, approach, and fee structure. A solo provider with consistent availability and a straightforward fee removes friction from an already difficult first step.