Updated Office Information

Beginning June 30, 2020, clients have the option of coming in to the office or to be seen using HIPAA-compliant video conferencing technology. For those clients coming into the office, COVID-19 precautions will be used. The Covid-19 Informed Consent Form (see New Client Paperwork tab) must be completed prior to being seen. Bring the form with you or email it to riverbaybehavioralhealth@gmail.com prior to the appointment. For those clients who would like to use the videoconferencing system, instructions will be provided to you prior to the appointment.

Updated Insurance Listing

Attention active duty and retired military.  Meet with a therapist who retired from the military and understands military concerns and issues.

We have been approved to take Johns Hopkins Insurances including the US Family Health Plan for military and retirees.  We also take Johns Hopkins Employee Insurance as well.  The complete list of insurance accepted includes:

  • Blue Choice Provider Network (Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield)
  • CIGNA
  • Medicare
  • GHMSI
  • Participating Provider Network
  • Regional Participating Provider Insurance
  • Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan
  • Johns Hopkins Employee Insurance Plans
  • Highmark (BCBS)

 

 

More Insurance Plans now accepted

The list of insurance plans accepted by River Bay Behavioral Health LLC continues to grow:

Here’s the entire list:

 

  • Blue Choice Provider Network (Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield)
  • CIGNA
  • Medicare
  • Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan
  • Johns Hopkins Employee Health Plans
  • GHMSI
  • Participating Provider Network
  • Regional Participating Provider Insurance

Call today to schedule your appointment!

 

River Bay Behavioral Health is now an LLC

We are now a Limited Liability Company (LLC) registered in Maryland.  There are no changes to any contact information.

We look forward to continuing to serve the Eastern Shore and Annapolis communities.

Insurance Update

Great news!  We are now accepting Medicare clients as well as those who have Cigna insurance.

Of course, we continue to see clients with no insurance and those with other insurance (we will provide a receipt for you to submit to your provider).  If you are looking for a mental health provider and you’re unable to pay full fee, please give us a call and we can talk about other options.

 

 

What about insurance?

Now accepting Cigna insurance.

At this time, no other insurance is accepted.  However, we have applied to a number of other insurance companies and will update the web page as they are approved.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Depression during the winter

Do you feel more down in the dumps in the winter? Less energy?  Just want to curl up on the sofa and wait for spring?  If so, you could be like many people who are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  The causes for feeling this way in the winter could be due to the reduced amount of daylight hours and a reduced amount of time and exposure you (and your skin) are in sunlight.  We spend more time indoors and, when outside, we are covered in coats, gloves, hats, and scarves.

According to the Mayo Clinic, three things may be the cause.

  • Your biological clock (circadian rhythm) is disrupted. The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.
  • Serotonin levels. A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, might play a role in SAD. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression.
  • Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

The negative effects of SAD will often increase as the winter season progresses and tend to dissipate as the days get longer in the Spring.

The good news is there are three potential treatments:

  • Use a light box. Talk with your doctor about which one is right for you.  They are normally fairly inexpensive and you will want to use it when you get up in the morning.  It may take a few days to start feeling a difference.
  • Talk with a psychotherapist about your symptoms (this is where I can help).
  • Talk with your doctor about potential medications.

If you want more information or to schedule an appointment, please call River Bay Behavioral Health at (443) 775-0126 or go to Riverbaybehavioralhealth.com.

 

Depression and the Holidays

We are well into the holiday season.  For some it’s a time of joy and happiness.  For others, it can be a time of sad memories and expectations that may not be met.  These and other reasons may result in depression and anxiety. These conditions are distinctly different, but can have the same result….to not be able to enjoy the season.  This post will give you some thoughts on depression.

My clients with depression have some or all of the following symptoms.  No or low energy; they wonder if life is worth living (with or without suicidal thoughts); trouble sleeping (too much or too little); trouble with appetite (too much or too little); trouble concentrating; feeling bad about yourself; little interest or pleasure in things; or just feeling down, depressed or hopeless.  These symptoms may be worse during the holidays.

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, please know that there are effective methods to deal with them.  Please call/text River Bay Behavioral Health at (443) 775-0126 for an appointment or go to our web page Riverbaybehavioralhealth.com.

If you are feeling suicidal or if you want to hurt yourself, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.