Evidence-Based Treatment Options
Behavioral Parent Training including PCIT & SPACE
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) including ERP
Consultation
Services and other interventions
Especially efficacious for younger children, this modality is ideal for targeting oppositional behaviors, behavioral issues associated with ADHD, sleep issues, and toileting concerns. We offer didactics in the form of parent only sessions and live coaching in strategies to give parents' tools to manage their children's behaviors. For children ages 2-7 with behavioral problems, we provide a specific type of parent training called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). We also offer variations of PCIT for anxiety including PCIT-CALM and PCIT-SM (for selective mutism). Some therapists offer Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), a parent-based intervention for childhood anxiety.
We offer individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for older children, adolescents, and adults, especially those with anxiety or depression. We provide validation and help them learn strategies to manage their emotions. We include exposure therapy or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) when indicated to meet the needs of our clients. We actively involve parents of minors in the treatment process.
We offer an initial 15-minute phone consultation to better understand the client's needs and help with assignment to the clinician that is the best fit (either in or outside of MPCC). During treatment, we offer phone, video and in-person consultations as needed. This includes consultation with other providers and schools to help us understand and address emotional and behavioral concerns. We also provide tips for advocating for your child to get the services they need at school (504, IEP, etc.)
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We are constantly learning new interventions. We now have a therapist who received formal training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Two of our therapists also offer inference-based CBT (I-CBT) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
About the Maryland Parent Child Clinic
The Maryland Parent Child Clinic (MPCC), LLC was founded in 2020 by Renée Smucker, Ph.D. to assist families in the greater-Baltimore and Maryland region. Dr. Smucker saw a need for more therapists in this area that focus on behavioral issues in children and adolescents and take insurance (MPCC is paneled with Carefirst/ BCBS and Cigna).
We now have four staff therapists. We work with children, adolescents, parents and young adults with a variety of behavioral and emotional concerns including anxiety, OCD, selective mutism, depression, ADHD, sleep issues, toileting concerns, and oppositionality. We often help multiple members of a family with different therapists in the clinic. The goal of our initial phone consultation is to gather enough information to match each client to a clinician with relevant expertise, whether that is inside or outside of our clinic.
We welcome and value people of all races, sexualities, genders, religions, abilities, and political values. As a practice and as individuals, we are committed to providing culturally responsive care based in cultural humility. We seek to create a safe and welcoming space to promote the growth and wellness of those who join us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your fees? Do you accept insurance?
Fees depend on which clinician you are seeing, what insurance you have, and what type of appointment it is. Currently our fees range from $120-$225.
School visits and observations may be available for a separate fee. Insurance companies typically do not reimburse for school visits.
Clinicians are in-network providers or in the process of becoming in network for CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield in Maryland and Cigna. We are "out of network" providers for some other insurance companies, and your plan may cover a significant portion of our sessions. Please be sure to ask your insurance company about co-pays, deductibles, and their reimbursement claim process. ​
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Can you prescribe medication?
Unfortunately we do not have any prescribers on staff at this time.
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Do you conduct psychological testing?
Unfortunately we do not conduct testing at this time. However, we can assess for some diagnoses during the interview conducted at the first session and we can provide referrals for more detailed testing if indicated.
What can I expect from our first appointment?
The first appointment will be up to 60 minutes with the client or the client with a caregiver if they are a minor. This appointment will focus on gathering background information and building rapport with the therapist. Subsequent appointments are 45-60 minutes long and may include the client only, multiple family members with the client, or caregivers only if the client is a minor.
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Do you offer telehealth appointments?
We offer telehealth appointments as a replacement for any in-person session. Please keep in mind insurance companies may change their policies on covering these services. We will keep you abreast of these changes and continue to offer these services out-of-pocket should insurance companies stop reimbursing. You must be in a state that your provider is licensed when the telehealth sessions take place. Currently, all clinicians are licensed in Maryland and Dr. Smucker is also licensed in New York.
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Do you offer school observations?
We can offer school observations, as needed. Unfortunately these services are typically not covered by insurance and must be paid out of pocket.