Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab

The Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab offers low fee counseling and psychotherapy services for adults. The clinic fills a need for mental health services in Prince George's, Montgomery County, and Washington DC.

An increasing number of people find psychotherapy to be a valuable tool in helping them find an answer to the various difficulties they have in living. Unfortunately, due to financial reasons, many people can not get the help that they need. The Maryland Psychotherapy Clinic and Research Lab provides an opportunity for those who want psychotherapy services and cannot afford it otherwise. The fee charged per session ranges from $25 to $50 (compared to the going rate for private therapists of $125 to $200 per hour).

This clinic provides individual high-quality psychotherapy to community residents who experience difficulties in areas such as relationship problems, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and meaning of life. The services are offered by advanced doctoral students with considerable experience and skills in the mental health field. These therapists-in-training are supervised by licensed psychologists with more than 20 years of experience. There is no limit to the number of sessions that clients can receive.

People currently in psychotherapy with another therapist are not eligible to participate. Furthermore, people who seek mental health services for specific behavioral problems (e.g., panic disorder, substance abuse) are not appropriate for services at this clinic, given that the treatment is more oriented toward insight and understanding relationship problems. Clients must be over 18 years of age. Students at the University of Maryland are not eligible for services.

Besides receiving psychotherapy services, all clients participate in a research project aimed to study the effectiveness of the psychotherapy. For the research, clients complete questionnaires before and after therapy, as well as after each session. In addition, all sessions are videotaped.

For more information and a brief screening interview, call 301-405-5820 or email mpcrl@psyc.umd.edu. In case of emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room of your local hospital.