Outpatient therapy · Individual psychotherapy

Individual outpatient psychotherapy for adults and young adults in Maryland

Individual psychotherapy is one-on-one talk therapy with a licensed provider. You keep living your life at home, work or school and meet in person in Bethesda or Lusby, or by telehealth anywhere in Maryland. This page explains what outpatient therapy is, what sessions involve, how different approaches compare, who is on your care team, how insurance works and how to start with Blue Sails Counseling and Consulting.

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Key takeaways

What is individual outpatient psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy, often called talk therapy, is a way of working through emotional, behavioral and relationship concerns with a trained, licensed professional. The National Institute of Mental Health describes several evidence-based types, and notes that psychotherapy can be used alone or alongside medication.

“Outpatient” means you live at home and come to scheduled appointments, rather than staying in a hospital or residential program. “Individual” means the sessions are just you and your provider. Some people later add family or couples sessions; see couples and family counseling.

Weekly or every-other-week outpatient therapy is one level of care. If you need more structure than a weekly visit, our guide to intensive outpatient programs (IOP) explains how more intensive options compare. You can also read about clinician-led group therapy and peer support programs.

What to expect in your sessions

Your first appointment is mostly about getting to know you. Your provider will ask what brings you in, how things are affecting daily life, your history and what you want to be different. Together you agree on goals and a starting plan.

After that, sessions follow your plan. Depending on the approach, a session might include talking through a recent situation, practicing a skill, looking at patterns in thoughts or relationships, or reviewing what you tried between visits. Your provider will explain how long sessions run and how often you will meet, and you can adjust the plan together as things change.

Blue Sails aims for continuity: you see the same provider over time, because a steady working relationship is part of the care.

Concerns adults bring to individual therapy

Adults and young adults start therapy for many reasons. Common ones include:

Blue Sails offers substance use care, including care when substance use and a mental health concern happen together. Our guide to substance use disorder and dual diagnosis explains how combined care works. For a broader look at adult care, see therapy and psychiatry for adults. If you are in your late teens or twenties, our guide to counseling for young adults in college covers common concerns and how care fits around classes and work.

If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, contact 911, the nearest ER, or call or text 988. Blue Sails is not an emergency service.

CBT, ACT or psychodynamic therapy: which fits?

Providers draw on different approaches. None is right for everyone, and many providers combine methods. These are three you may hear about:

Comparing core techniques

Matching therapy to your goals

A helpful starting point is your goal rather than the label. If you want concrete tools for specific symptoms, a structured approach may appeal. If you want to live by your values while making room for difficult feelings, or to understand long-standing patterns, other approaches may fit better. Your preferences, culture and life stage matter too. At intake, ask which approaches a provider uses. Our guide to therapy modalities covers more options.

Who is on your care team

At Blue Sails, your clinical team is made up of Providers. Your therapy provider may be a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), a licensed certified social worker-clinical (LCSW-C) or a psychologist. They provide psychotherapy and work with you on your plan.

If medication may help, a psychiatric provider, such as a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, can evaluate you and manage medication. Psychiatry is also available at Blue Sails. Medication is never automatic; it is a decision you make with your provider. With your permission, your therapy and psychiatric providers coordinate in one record. Learn more about medication management and how psychiatric medication management works.

Should you choose in-person or telehealth therapy?

Both are options at Blue Sails. In-person sessions are available at our offices in Bethesda and Lusby. Telehealth sessions happen by secure video from a private place in Maryland, such as home or a parked car. Read more about telehealth counseling across Maryland.

Telehealth is effective for many conditions and can save travel time, and in-person care is available if you prefer being in the room or if your provider recommends it. Some people mix both. Before a video session, it helps to have a private space, a reliable connection and a phone number your provider can reach you at if the call drops.

Does insurance cover individual therapy in Maryland?

Many health plans cover outpatient psychotherapy, but coverage varies by plan and service. Plans named on our site include Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield/CareFirst, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Sails accepts TRICARE, which matters for military families.

You should know what things cost before you start. The Blue Sails team confirms your benefits, including copays, deductibles and any authorization rules. See insurance and billing for details. The Maryland Insurance Administration also publishes consumer guidance on mental health coverage.

How to start outpatient psychotherapy in Maryland

You can confirm any Maryland counselor’s license through the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists license lookup. For urgent help that is not an emergency, Maryland lists urgent behavioral health resources. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, contact 911, the nearest ER, or call or text 988. Blue Sails is not an emergency service.

Ask about individual therapy

Tell intake what has been going on and how you would like to meet. Blue Sails has offices in Bethesda and Lusby, with telehealth across Maryland.

If you are in crisis, contact 911, the nearest ER, or call or text 988.