Meltzer Center Services & Fees

At the Meltzer Center, clinical services are strictly confidential. No information is released without the written consent of the client (or the client's parent or guardian, in the case of children), except in cases where the client is an immediate risk to him or herself or others, or is the victim of child abuse or elder abuse, or if requested by court order.

The Meltzer Center provides evidence-based assessments and interventions for a range of psychological issues. This means we use the most effective approaches to assessment and treatment based on the integration of the best scientific evidence available, clinical judgment and the client's culture and preferences. View the American Psychological Association's Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology for more information.

We offer a variety of services, which include Assessments, Admissions Testing, and Individual Therapy.

Given that we are a training clinic, all sessions are audio and video recorded for training purposes.

Please note that the center is not able to provide medications or any form of medical care and does not take insurance.

Fees and Insurance

Our fees are based on a sliding fee schedule and are scaled according to your family income and number of dependents. Payment can be made in our electronic payment system. We do not bill insurance, but can provide you a receipt to submit for possible reimbursement.

Alternative payment options can be discussed upon inquiry. If you experience financial difficulties and have trouble paying your balance, please notify your clinician as soon as possible so that we can discuss a payment plan.

*Please note that you must pay a non-refundable deposit fee to be added to our waitlist for services ($25 for Assessment/$10 for Therapy).

Services Offered

Assessment

We provide assessment services to children, adolescents and adults. We offer intellectual, psycho-educational or comprehensive (psycho-educational and personality) assessments for a variety of client needs, including evaluations for diagnostic purposes.

What to Expect in an Assessment Session (PDF)

Admissions Testing

We offer in- person reduced-fee admissions testing services for families in need applying to independent and parochial schools in the DC metro area. We offer WPPSI-IV and WISC-V testing. Interested families should reach out to us at 202-994-9072 or by email at [email protected].

Therapy

Therapy can be an effective way to alleviate distress, discover better ways to solve problems, learn new ways of relating to others or to change long-term behavior problems. However, please be aware that therapy may involve the risk of remembering unpleasant events and may arouse other emotions, which may temporarily affect you and how you relate to others.

Child and Adolescent Therapy

We cover depression, anxiety, grief, disruptive behaviors, acting-out behaviors, school and peer-related problems and self-esteem and identity issues. We also serve children and adolescents adjusting to life stressors such as divorce, adoption, single-parent family and remarriage.

Adult Therapy

Services target difficulties such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, bereavement, social interaction difficulties, ethnic and cultural concerns, self-doubt and poor self-esteem, career problems and sexual identity and orientation concerns. Psychological services are also provided for adjustment problems that arise after divorce, relocation, job loss and other traumatic experiences.

What to Expect in a Therapy Session (PDF)

Services Not Offered

Couples counseling
Psychiatric services (i.e., medication management, prescriptions, etc.)
Treatment for substance abuse
Treatment for psychosis (i.e., schizophrenia)
Treatment for severe PTSD
Treatment for eating disorders
Vocational testing
Neurological testing
Services in languages other than English

Making an Appointment

Requesting Service

Call the Meltzer Center at 202-994-9072 or email at [email protected] to request services or inquire about availability or suitability. Please note that you must pay a non-refundable deposit fee to be added to our waitlist for services ($25 for Assessment/$10 for Therapy).

A telephone interview will be conducted to determine whether your needs match the services that the clinic provides. During this initial telephone screening interview, you will be asked a set of standard questions about demographic and contact information, as well as prior history of mental illness and goals for obtaining therapy or assessment services.

If the Meltzer Center can offer services to meet your needs, you will be assigned to a clinician for an intake appointment. Please note that due to the high demand for therapy and assessment services, you will be added to a waitlist and we cannot guarantee an exact time estimate.

Preparing for an Appointment

Therapy Sessions:

Please bring paperwork documenting you or your family's income (e.g., a pay stub, recent W-2 forms or tax return), which will be used to verify the fee for the service.
Ensure that you have read and completed all forms and client commitment information (See Below)

Assessment Sessions:

Try to schedule the appointment during times when you are the most rested and alert. That will ensure your optimal performance during the assessment.
Before your testing appointment, get a good night of sleep and eat breakfast.
Please bring paperwork documenting you or your family's income (e.g., a pay stub, recent W-2 forms or tax return), which will be used to verify the total fee for the service. Unless you have been approved for a payment plan, you will be expected to submit the full fee.
Ensure that you have read and completed all forms and client commitment information (See Below)

Client Forms and Links

Please fill out any applicable forms and bring them to your appointment.

Client Commitments

Payment

All assessment fees must be paid up front before the first session, and all therapy fees paid before each session. If you have received confirmation for a fee reduction or a payment plan by Meltzer staff, payment must be made as indicated by Meltzer communication.

*Failure to pay your balance within the appropriate timeline will result in immediate termination.

Questionnaires

Be prepared to complete any questionnaires or measures requested by your clinician. It is important for us to track your progress and the quality of the therapeutic relationship and so we ask clients to complete brief measures weekly before their sessions through an online system. All therapy clients are asked to complete these brief measures on a weekly basis before their session.

Availability

Therapy Clients are expected to attend weekly sessions as agreed upon in the scheduling communication with the clinician. Assessment Clients are expected to commit to a schedule that they and their clinician develop in initial outreach.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend a session, the center requires a cancellation notice (24 hours in advance for therapy sessions and 48 hours for assessment sessions). Please call 202-994-9072 or email [email protected] to cancel. Patients who miss a session without appropriate cancellation will be billed for the session. Clients are terminated after three consecutive missed sessions.