Patient FAQ & care guide
The questions people actually ask
Booking, evaluations, medication, telehealth, insurance, answered the way we would answer them on the phone, minus the hold music.
Can't find your question? Call (443) 538-8400 during office hours. A person answers, and no question about getting care is too small to ask.
Getting started
How do I book an appointment with Unique Minds?
Three ways: book online through the scheduler on our Book Online page (about a minute, open around the clock), call (443) 538-8400 during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm) or email info@uniquembhs.com. Saturday appointments are available by arrangement.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
Not from us. You can book directly. Some insurance plans have their own referral requirements for specialist care, so a quick check with your carrier (or with us, by phone) before the first visit avoids surprises.
What should I expect during a psychiatric evaluation?
A comfortable, unhurried conversation about your feelings and symptoms, questions about your medical, family and social history, and simple questionnaires where they help. It ends with a comprehensive review that shapes a diagnosis and a personalised treatment plan. It is decided with you, not handed to you.
What should I bring to a first appointment?
Your insurance card, a list of current medications and doses, and any records from past treatment you would like reviewed. New patients can download the intake form from our Documents page and arrive with it completed.
Care and treatment
What mental health conditions does Unique Minds treat?
A wide range: depression and bipolar disorder; anxiety conditions including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD and specific phobias; trauma and PTSD; ADHD; insomnia; schizophrenia and psychotic disorders; personality disorders; eating disorders; autism spectrum disorder; substance use; and suicide prevention support.
How does medication management work?
As a collaborative process: an initial assessment reviewing your symptoms and history; a prescription chosen for your diagnosis and explained plainly; regular follow-ups to track progress and side effects; and adjustments, dose or medication, until treatment is genuinely working for you. Nothing is prescribed before the evaluation.
What treatments are used for anxiety?
The evidence-based set: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication management where it helps, exposure therapy for fears and rituals, mindfulness-based interventions, and relaxation and lifestyle work. Which mix fits you is exactly what the evaluation determines.
Do you treat children and adolescents?
Yes. Our providers see children, teens and adults, with family involved in younger patients’ care and school coordination available where it helps. Mention ages when booking so the right first appointment gets scheduled.
What if weekly appointments are not enough?
Tell your provider. The plan is meant to move. Sessions can go weekly or twice weekly for a stretch, medication can be reviewed sooner rather than at the next routine visit, and therapy and prescribing can be coordinated so both sides see the same picture. If you need more support than outpatient care can give, we will say so plainly and help you find the right level of care. In a crisis, call or text 988 at any hour.
Telehealth, insurance and practicalities
Does Unique Minds offer telehealth visits?
Yes. We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video visits for psychiatric evaluations, medication management and therapy, across the entire state of Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Ohio. That includes every county we serve, from Montgomery and Prince George’s through the Eastern Shore.
Which insurance plans does Unique Minds accept?
Medicare, Maryland Medicaid, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Amerigroup, MedStar, AmeriHealth and Optum. Uninsured patients are welcome on flexible self-pay. We accept cash and credit cards. Because networks change, verify your specific coverage by calling (443) 538-8400.
What are your self-pay fees?
Our fee-for-service rates cover self-pay and non-covered services, and do not apply to Medicare or Medicaid clients. Psychiatric intake with medication management: $300; medication management follow-up, monthly: $250; medication management follow-up, bi-weekly: $150; psychotherapy initial assessment: $200; psychotherapy, monthly: $175; psychotherapy, bi-weekly: $150; psychotherapy, weekly: $100; missed medication management visit without 24 hours’ cancellation: $25; missed psychotherapy visit with less than 24 hours’ cancellation: $50. Fees are due at the time of service unless other arrangements are made in advance.
Where are the offices?
Baltimore: 6810 Park Heights Ave, Suite C6, Baltimore, MD 21215, in The Oxford House building, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. Washington: 1402 North Capitol St NW, #1, Washington, DC 20002. Directions to both are on the contact page.
What are the office hours?
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday by appointment only; Sunday closed. The online scheduler takes requests at any hour, including weekends.
What do I do in a mental health crisis?
Do not wait for an appointment. Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for free, confidential support 24/7 anywhere in Maryland or D.C. If you or someone with you is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Everything else is easier to ask a person.
Request an appointment online at any time, or speak to somebody during office hours.
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