FAQs
We are committed to offering emotionally supportive, high-quality services at a rate that reflects our dedication to your well-being. Reach out today to learn more about our services and start your journey towards better mental health.
Our business office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We offer a flexible therapy schedule to accommodate our clients' needs, including morning, evening, and weekend availability upon request.
Referrals can be made by completing the Referral Form available on our Contact Page. For cases requiring a sooner appointment, please give us a call within 8-24 hours' of completing the refferral form.
If you have not received an appointment confirmation within 2 business days, please call our office directly at 443-288-0098.
Payment is due in advance on the day of service. We accept various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, HSA/FSA cards, CashApp, ApplePay and Zelle. For clients using insurance, we will bill your insurance provider directly, and any copayments or deductibles will be due at the time of service.
Yes, you can request a specific therapist when scheduling your appointment. We will do our best to accommodate your request based on the therapist’s availability.
Absolutely. We prioritize your privacy to create a safe counseling environment. If you need your records sent to a third party, a release of information is required. The content of therapy sessions and other related materials will be kept confidential unless the client provides written consent to release specific information to a designated individual or entities.
However, there are certain circumstances where confidentiality may be breached, as required by law or ethical obligations. These exceptions include:
- Client threatens or attempts suicide, or otherwise behaves in a manner that poses a substantial risk of harm to self.
- Client threatens to cause grave bodily harm or death to another person.
- Therapist has reasonable suspicion that a client or another individual is involved in the 187physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child under the age of 18, whether as a perpetrator, observer, or victim.
- Therapist has reasonable suspicion of abuse involving an elderly person.
- If there is suspected neglect involving the individuals mentioned in items 3 and 4.
- Maryland regulations require IBH and its staff to respond to inquiries regarding open, active protective service investigations, even if the staff believes they have no relevant information.
- If a court of law issues a legitimate subpoena for the information specified in the subpoena.
- If a client is receiving therapy or treatment by court order, or if information is obtained to provide an expert report to an attorney.
- Information shared by a child or adolescent during therapy is typically kept confidential and not disclosed to parents, unless there is an indication of imminent danger to the child or others.
Your first session will be an initial assessment where we will discuss your concerns, background, and goals for therapy. This helps us create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
We understand the courage it takes to seek support. You can expect a professional, compassionate, and safe environment where you can explore your concerns. Every client is treated with respect and dignity. We tailor therapy to fit your unique needs, desires, and goals.
Your active participation and dedication are crucial to your success in therapy. Engaging in activities and practices outside of our sessions will enhance your personal growth and development.
We offer a range of therapeutic services, including individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. Our therapists are trained in various approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma, grief and loss, and psychodynamic therapy, among others.
Therapy fosters self-awareness, self-esteem, and autonomy. It provides tools for current and future challenges, promoting personal growth and freedom. Psychotherapy supports individuals through changes and difficulties, enhancing overall well-being.
If you are concerned about your relationship and both wish to work with me, we will start with joint sessions. If individual issues need further exploration, one of you can continue with individual sessions. However, moving from individual to couple’s work with the same therapist can raise trust issues.
Yes, Free consultations are based on providers’ schedules and availability. Contact us to explore if our services are right for you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 443-288-0098 or email [email protected]. Let us support you on your journey to better mental health.
If you need to reach your therapist, administration, or billing, please visit the Contact Page on our website. You will find a dedicated contact form for each department and therapist.
Alternatively, you may message your therapist directly through our client portal. After submitting the appropriate form, you can expect a response within 24 business hours. For emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Policies
We are dedicated to providing emotionally supportive, high-quality care. The following policies are designed to ensure a smooth and effective therapeutic experience, enabling us to deliver the best possible mental health services with minimal disruptions. We appreciate your understanding and timely cooperation.
We recognize that texting and emailing are quick and convenient methods for conveying information. However, text messaging is not a secure form of communication and may compromise client confidentiality. Therefore, text and email communication should be used strictly for appointment confirmations or paperwork reminders only. These methods should not be used for sharing any HIPAA-sensitive information or for any communications that could be interpreted as therapy. Your privacy and confidentiality are our top priorities, and we appreciate your cooperation in adhering to this policy.
Maintaining clear and ethical professional boundaries is essential for the effectiveness and integrity of the therapeutic relationship. To ensure a safe and therapeutic environment, we have established the following guidelines:
- Communication outside of scheduled sessions should be limited to matters directly related to the therapeutic process.
- Electronic communication, such as emails and texts, should be used solely for scheduling and session-related information.
To uphold confidentiality and professionalism, clinicians will not accept friend requests or engage in social media interactions with current clients.
Clinicians are discouraged from accepting gifts, and personal relationships with clients outside of the therapeutic setting are strictly prohibited to maintain objectivity and professionalism.
Physical contact between the clinician and client is limited to professional gestures, such as handshakes, and is always conducted with the client's consent.
These guidelines are in place to protect both the client and the therapeutic process, ensuring that the highest standards of professionalism and care are maintained.
If you need to cancel an appointment, you must log in to your client portal online to cancel at least 24 hours prior to your appointment time. If you have trouble accessing your client portal, email [email protected] and be sure to list in the subject line “cancel appt. for _ _ _ (date)”. This timely informs staff of your appointment cancellation. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice or no-shows will be charged a fee, up to the full session fee.
All clients (except those using Medicaid) are required to keep a valid credit card on file for copays, deductibles & Self-pay. To streamline our billing process, we automatically charge clients’ cards the morning of their scheduled session for copays, deductibles, or session fees. In the event of a declined transaction, clients are required to settle their outstanding balance through the client portal before their scheduled session. Failure to clear the balance prior to the session may result in cancellation.
While we strive to offer accurate estimates based on the information provided by the insurance company, it's important to note that these figures are preliminary. Official confirmation of insurance fee rates occurs upon processing the claim and us receiving the true explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurance provider.
Clients bear the ultimate responsibility for understanding their financial obligations. We strongly encourage clients to independently verify their insurance coverage directly with their provider to ensure they have the most up-to-date and accurate information.
If an insurance claim is denied by the insurance company, the client is ultimately responsible for the session fee. While we work to facilitate payment from the insurance company, clients should be aware of potential coverage limitations. We are here to assist with any insurance-related challenges and appreciate your cooperation. Please contact our team for any questions or support.
Clients are fully responsible for any balance incurred during a lapse or termination of their insurance coverage. It is imperative that clients promptly notify us of any changes to their insurance information to ensure accurate billing. Keeping us informed of any insurance coverage changes helps to facilitate claims processing and maintains our ability to provide the best possible mental health care. Be sure to communicate any discrepancies in your insurance coverage immediately to avoid or minimize potential financial obligations.
To minimize debt accumulation and protect clients' financial well-being, clients with a substantial past due balance are temporarily unable to schedule additional sessions until the balance is settled. We will make multiple attempts to charge the card on file and request the client upload a valid card. If the balance remains unresolved, we will discuss discharge and transfer options with the client.
We can help you navigate your policy's details, including deductibles, in-network and out-of-network coverage, co-payments, and co-insurance. These policies ensure financial transparency and help avoid any negative impact on credit scores or harassment by collection. We appreciate your prompt attention to outstanding balances.
If you, as a client, need to address a complaint or grievance concerning your therapist or any other member or service at IBH, we encourage you to visit the contact page on our website. There, you will find a dedicated complaint form.
Your feedback is valuable to us, and we are committed to addressing any concerns promptly and professionally to ensure the highest quality of service. Thank you for your cooperation and for entrusting us with your mental health care.
Fees
We believe that quality mental health care should be both accessible and affordable. Our fees accommodate various payment methods and adhere to national standards regarding time spent with a patient and the time allowed for documentation.
- Initial Evaluation
- $180-$240 | 53-60 minutes
- Your first step towards better mental health starts with a comprehensive initial evaluation. This helps us to understand your unique needs and tailor a personalized care plan just for you.
- Follow-up Sessions
- $120-$180 | 38-53 minutes
- Follow-up sessions are designed to provide ongoing support and guidance. These sessions help you stay on track with your treatment goals, offering consistent, compassionate care.
- EMDR & Couples Therapy (self-pay service only)
-
$220 Initial Assessment | 60 minutes
$180 Follow-Up Session | 60 minutes - MDR and Couples Therapy sessions may require extended durations. In such cases, each additional 15-minute increment will be billed at a rate equivalent to one-quarter (25%) of the full session fee.
Insurance
We accept the following insurance plans. When scheduling an appointment, please confirm that your selected provider is in-network with your insurance.
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- Cigna EAP
- Blue Cross
- Blue Shield
- Aetna
- John Hopkins EHP
- Maryland Medicaid
- Medicare
- Optum Behavioral Health
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- Out-of-Network Insurance
We can provide superbills for reimbursement if your insurance is out-of-network, making it easier for you to manage your expenses while receiving services from us.
We can help you navigate your policy's details, including deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance, in-network, and out-of-network coverage.
Why Can't I Use my insurance for EMDR or Couples Therapy?
The sustained cost of EMDR therapy exceeds the reimbursement rate offered by most insurance companies. Couples therapy for relationship issues like communication or infidelity do not receive a mental health diagnosis and is not reimbursable by insurance.
Good Faith Estimate
Under Section 2799B-6 of the Public Health Service Act, health care providers and health care facilities are required to inform individuals who are not enrolled in a plan or coverage or a Federal health care program, or not seeking to file a claim with their plan or coverage both orally and in writing of their ability, upon request or at the time of scheduling health care items and services, to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” of expected charges.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
- Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
- If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
- Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.
Mental Health Resource Links
The following links are for information purposes only.
Associations & Institutes
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- American Counseling Association
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Psychological Association
- American Psychological Society
- Center for Mental Health Services
- Mental Health America
- MentalHealth.gov/
- National Institute of Mental Health
- National Mental Health Association
- National Eating Disorders Association
- National Sleep Foundation
- National Women’s Health Resource Center
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Suicide Awareness and Hotlines
Depression
Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- National Center for PTSD
- Give an Hour— for veterans and their families
- National Center for PTSD
- Real Warriors (U.S. Department of Defense)— for veterans and their families
- The Gift From Within
- Sidran Institute
Addiction and Recovery
Eating Disorders
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Child Abuse and Domestic Violence
Developmental Disorders
Diagnosis
Medication
- DrugWatch.com provides up-to-date information about prescription and over-the-counter medications, including details about associated side effects.
- Drugalert.org is a comprehensive database with information and news alerts about potentially dangerous drugs currently on the market or previously available worldwide.