Moses M Kushaba, PsyD LCSW-C in Baltimore: Individual and Family Therapy with Trauma and Substance Use Focus
Moses M Kushaba is a licensed clinical social worker and psychologist in Baltimore who provides individual and family psychotherapy, with a clinical focus on trauma-informed care and co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions. His practice operates on a private-pay basis, positioning him outside the constraints of insurance panels but also requiring direct patient cost management.
What He Actually Does
Kushaba holds both a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) and LCSW-C (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) credentials in Maryland. The combination of these certifications signals dual training in clinical psychology and social work theory, a pairing that is less common than single-credential practitioners. He works with individual clients and families, meaning his scope includes couples and household-unit work alongside one-on-one therapy. His stated clinical specialization in trauma and substance use co-occurrence addresses cases where clients are simultaneously managing post-traumatic stress and addiction or problematic substance use, a presentation that many general practices refer out or handle in siloed fashion (referring trauma to one provider, substance issues to another).
How He Compares to Other Baltimore Therapists
Baltimore has several large group practices offering trauma-informed and substance use treatment, including Johns Hopkins psychiatry-affiliated clinics and community mental health centers like the National Crisis Hotline's affiliated therapy network. These settings typically accept insurance and manage wait lists of three to eight weeks. Private-pay practitioners like Kushaba have shorter appointment availability windows and can schedule more flexibly but require uninsured or out-of-pocket payment. His dual credential (psychologist plus licensed clinical social worker) is rarer than practices staffed by either psychologists or social workers alone; the combination may indicate comfort moving across both clinical and systems-level intervention, though the practical advantage depends on your specific presentation. If you have complex insurance needs or require cost assistance, a community mental health center or Johns Hopkins clinic is the better choice; if you prefer direct payment and integrated trauma-plus-substance-use expertise, Kushaba's model removes administrative delay.
Services and Pricing
Kushaba operates on a private-pay basis; specific session fees are not publicly listed and should be confirmed directly. Private-pay therapists in Baltimore range from $100 to $250 per session depending on the therapist's credentials, experience, and neighborhood. Sessions are typically 50 minutes. Payment is expected per session or on an agreed schedule; he does not bill insurance directly, so you would pay out of pocket and handle your own insurance reimbursement if your plan covers out-of-network mental health care. Ask during your initial contact whether he offers a sliding scale, a practice some private therapists maintain for lower-income clients, though this is uncommon among established practitioners.
Who This Approach Suits and Who It Does Not
This practice is a good match if you have private insurance with out-of-network mental health benefits, are self-insured, or have the means to pay per session. You also benefit if you have moderate to severe trauma history alongside substance use, because Kushaba's specialization means he is trained to address both without compartmentalizing them. It suits clients who prioritize short appointment lead times and continuity with a single provider over cost.
Kushaba's practice is not a fit if you are uninsured without means to pay privately, do not have out-of-network insurance coverage, need sliding-scale fees, or have Medicaid (which does not reimburse private practitioners in this model). It is also not appropriate if you are in acute crisis or require immediate psychiatric medication management; he does not prescribe, and a community mental health crisis center or emergency department is necessary.
What Your First Appointment Involves
Initial contact typically occurs by phone or email to confirm his availability and present-day scheduling. You should expect to be asked about your primary concerns, psychiatric history, current substance use, trauma history, and insurance situation. The first session generally lasts 50 minutes and functions as an assessment, during which he gathers a clinical picture, you discuss your goals, and he explains his approach and fee. Bring a photo ID and payment method if paying out of pocket that day; confirm whether he requires a deposit or advance booking.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Kushaba's office location and specific hours require direct confirmation; private practitioners in Baltimore often operate from small office suites or medical buildings rather than listed storefronts. Contact him directly via phone or email (to be confirmed from a current directory or his professional listing) to confirm his neighborhood, parking availability, and whether he offers telehealth sessions, which many Baltimore therapists added post-2020.
Why This Practice Matters in Baltimore
Kushaba fills a niche in Baltimore's mental health landscape: therapists trained to hold both substance use and trauma clinically rather than reflexively referring one or the other out. His dual credentials and private-pay model mean shorter waits and continuity, tradeoffs that matter when you are managing two heavy clinical domains at once.
