A therapist in Maryland by video or phone, from age 6
One-on-one therapy with a licensed clinician by secure video or phone, for children from age 6, teens and adults anywhere in Maryland.
No referral needed. Maryland Medicaid accepted.
- Fully licensed therapists, no supervision needed
- Licensed nurse practitioners for medication
- ABA led by a board certified behavior analyst
- Maryland Medicaid accepted
What's included
Therapy at Hearthway is regular, one-on-one time with a fully licensed clinician to understand what you're facing and build practical ways to handle it. Every session happens by secure video or phone, from home or any private place in Maryland.
Your therapist learns about your history, strengths and goals at intake, then writes a treatment plan with you, using goals in your own words. The plan names what you want to change, how you'll get there and how you'll both know it's working, and it is reviewed regularly.
A treatment plan at Hearthway covers your goals in your own words, the approaches your therapist will use, how often you'll meet, how progress will be measured and reviewed, and who else is involved, such as a parent, nurse practitioner or school, with your permission. It is a written roadmap you create together, and it changes as you do.
- Anxiety, worry and panic
- Depression and low mood
- Stress and burnout
- Trauma, grief and loss
- ADHD-related struggles at home, school or work
- Anger, behavior and emotional regulation
- School stress, friendships and bullying
- Self-esteem and big life changes
Video or phone: comparing your options
Both work for many people. Your clinician helps you choose what fits.
You agree to telehealth before your first visit. Whichever you choose, you'll need a private place where you can talk freely and you need to be physically in Maryland during the visit. For video, a phone, tablet or computer with a camera works. For a phone visit, any phone works. Have your insurance card ready for intake.
If you're not sure which to choose, start with what you have. Many people use video for most sessions and switch to phone on a day when the connection is poor or they're somewhere private without a screen. Audio-only visits are used when care can be fully provided without video.
| Video visit | Phone visit | |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | A phone, tablet or computer with a camera and an internet or cellular connection | Any phone |
| Best when | You want to see your clinician face to face, or a child benefits from activities on screen | Your connection is weak, or care can be fully provided without video |
| If something goes wrong | Rejoin the link, or your clinician calls you and may finish by phone when appropriate | Your clinician calls back on the number you confirmed |
What drives the cost
With Maryland Medicaid, you can come to us directly, with no referral from your primary care provider. Mental health care for Medicaid members is managed by Carelon Behavioral Health, not your HealthChoice plan. Some services need approval first, and our office requests it.
Other insurance varies by plan, so we check your coverage and explain any costs before your first visit. If you'd rather not use insurance, call us for self-pay rates. You have the right to a Good Faith Estimate of the cost before you schedule.
The first appointment is an intake visit and is billed like other visits. If you need to cancel, please give us at least 24 hours' notice.
A few plain terms help. A copay is a set amount you pay each visit. Coinsurance is a percentage you pay after your deductible. A deductible is what you pay each year before your plan starts paying. In network means your plan has a contract with the provider. An Explanation of Benefits is a statement from your plan showing what it paid. We share an estimate after checking your benefits, so nothing about cost is a surprise.
Before your first visit, have your insurance card handy, front and back, with the policyholder's name and date of birth, and any secondary insurance.
Therapy without the drive, anywhere in Maryland
In much of rural Maryland, the nearest therapist can be an hour or more away. Telehealth removes that drive, and the time off work or school that comes with it. Sessions happen from a familiar, comfortable place, and appointments are easier to keep around work, school and caregiving.
We see clients in every Maryland county and Baltimore City, with a focus on Western Maryland, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. You need to be physically in Maryland during each visit.
Telehealth also helps people who would struggle to sit in a waiting room, parents who can't easily arrange childcare, and anyone whose schedule shifts week to week. If your video drops during a session, rejoin the link; if that doesn't work, your clinician calls the number you confirmed at the start and may finish by phone when appropriate.
What to expect from your therapist
Sessions last 45 to 55 minutes, and the first visit takes about 60. Most people meet weekly or every other week to start, then adjust as things improve. Your therapist uses approaches that fit you, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused CBT, DBT-informed skills, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy and mindfulness. Younger children get play- and activity-based therapy, and parents get coaching on behavior strategies.
For children 6 to 12, a parent or guardian joins intake and has regular check-ins. For teens 13 to 17, a parent or guardian joins intake and we explain how privacy works for your family. Your therapist doesn't replace emergency services. Between sessions, call or text 988 in a crisis, or call 911 in an emergency.
For adults, appointments are built to fit around work and family, the goals are ones you help set, and with your permission your therapist coordinates with your nurse practitioner if you have one. Your first visit starts with your clinician confirming where you are and a call-back number, then reviewing consent and privacy with you before you talk about what brings you in.
Care afterwards and between sessions
Progress is reviewed with you regularly and the plan is adjusted. If you need a safety plan, your therapist makes one with you. With your written permission, your therapist coordinates with your nurse practitioner, primary care provider or school.
If medication could help, our nurse practitioners offer medication management as a separate service in the same practice. If another kind of care would serve you better, your therapist refers you. If the fit isn't right, you can ask to switch clinicians.
Therapy can ease symptoms, strengthen relationships and give you tools you keep using long after sessions end. As you improve, you and your therapist may space sessions further apart. When you've met your goals, you finish with a plan for staying well, and you can contact us again later if you need to.
How to get started
Step 1: Contact our office
Call (443) 824-4842 or send the form with your questions.
Step 2: Coverage check
We verify your insurance and explain any costs before you schedule.
Step 3: Intake visit
About 60 minutes by video or phone to understand your history and goals.
Step 4: Ongoing sessions
45 to 55 minutes, usually weekly or every other week to start.
Related services
- Medication management
A psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication care with a licensed nurse practitioner, by video or phone, for ages 6 and up anywhere in Maryland.
- In-home ABA therapy
Applied behavior analysis in your home and community, led by a board certified behavior analyst, for Maryland Medicaid children and young adults under 21 with autism.
- Child and teen therapy
Therapy for children 6 to 12 and teens 13 to 17 with a licensed clinician, by video or phone from home anywhere in Maryland.
Further reading
- How much does therapy cost? A Maryland guide
It depends mostly on how you pay.
- Does Medicaid cover therapy in Maryland?
Yes.
Questions families ask
Do I need a referral for therapy?
No. You can come to us directly, including with Maryland Medicaid.
Is online therapy as effective as in person?
For many people and many concerns, research has found therapy by telehealth can work about as well as in-person care. We talk about whether telehealth is a good fit for you at intake.
Can I do therapy by phone only?
Phone visits are used when care can be fully provided without video. Your clinician helps decide what works for you.
What if I'm traveling outside Maryland?
You need to be physically in Maryland during each visit. If you'll be away, talk to your clinician about rescheduling.
Do you offer couples or family therapy?
No. We offer individual therapy. Parents take part in their child's care through intake and check-ins.
Can I switch therapists?
Yes. Let us know and we'll help you find a better fit.
Request an appointment
Leave your details and our office will call you back during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern). Or call (443) 824-4842.
Please don't include medical history, diagnoses, Social Security numbers or insurance ID numbers.