Mental Health Resources in Washington DC: Your Guide to the WBMA Care Ecosystem
Finding the right mental health care in Washington DC depends on your insurance status, treatment goals, and financial situation. Washington Behavioral Medicine Associates (WBMA) and its affiliated organizations operate as a connected care ecosystem – four entities designed to make sure every patient has a pathway forward, regardless of where they start.
You do not need to figure this out alone. Enter at any point, and our team can help you transition between options as your needs change.
How the WBMA Care Ecosystem Works
The four patient-facing organizations in the WBMA ecosystem are not silos. They are interconnected – patients can move between them as their needs, coverage, and circumstances change. Here is how they relate to each other:
- WBMA and BMS cross-refer based on coverage and complexity. A patient who starts with BMS (in-network care) and later needs advanced specialist oversight may transition to WBMA. A patient at WBMA who wants to explore insurance-covered services can be directed to BMS.
- CNR provides a research-based care pathway. Patients who qualify for a sponsored clinical study through CNR receive care at no out-of-pocket cost as part of the study. CNR operates within the WBMA clinical environment and can cross-refer to WBMA or BMS as appropriate.
- MIND (TheMind.us) provides charity-based extended care, particularly for patients transitioning from CNR. Patients who complete or exit a research study and need ongoing, affordable care may be referred into TheMind.us for continued support. This is the direct connection between the research pathway and sustained charity-based care.
All three primary entities – WBMA, BMS, and CNR – share the same patient-first goal: provide care alternatives regardless of insurance status.
Recognized Leaders in Mental Health Care
Mental Health Care Options in DC: The Four Organizations
WBMA is the central specialty hub – psychiatrist-led, integrated, and built for patients who need a high level of clinical oversight or access to treatments not widely available through standard in-network panels. WBMA can cross-refer to BMS for insurance-covered services and to CNR for research participation.
WBMA - Washington Behavioral Medicine Associates
Care type: Out-of-network specialty psychiatry, therapy, neuropsychiatric testing, and advanced neuromodulation (TMS, ketamine, Spravato)
Payment: Fee-for-service (out-of-network). Some insurance plans offer partial OON reimbursement - check your specific benefits.
Location: 5480 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 223, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 (Note: We are located in Chevy Chase, near Bethesda - not in Bethesda itself)
Phone: (301) 576-6044
BMS - Brain Modulation Services
Care type: Insurance-based psychiatry, TMS therapy, medication management, and neuropsychological testing
Payment: Accepts Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare
Website: bms.care
BMS delivers evidence-informed psychiatric care through licensed nurse practitioners and accepts major insurance plans. It is the in-network arm of the ecosystem - making covered psychiatric services accessible for patients who qualify. BMS can refer patients to WBMA when specialist-level or advanced-treatment oversight is needed.
CNR - Centurion Neuroscience Research
Care type: Sponsored clinical research studies in psychiatry and neurology
Payment: Study-sponsored care at no out-of-pocket cost to qualified participants
Website: centurionnr.com
CNR operates within the WBMA clinical environment and runs sponsored research studies across psychiatric and neurological conditions in the DC, MD, and VA area. For qualifying patients, CNR provides monitored clinical care at no cost through the study sponsor. Patients who complete research participation and need continued affordable care may be referred to TheMind.us for ongoing charity-based support.
MIND - TheMind.us
Care type: Charity-based and low-cost extended mental health care
Payment: Low-cost and charity-based
Website: TheMind.us
TheMind.us is a nonprofit organization providing sustained mental health support for patients who face financial barriers to ongoing care. It has a direct connection with CNR - patients exiting or transitioning out of sponsored research studies may be referred here for continued low-cost or charity-based care. TheMind.us is not a last resort. It is a deliberate part of the ecosystem designed to keep patients supported over time.
Not Sure Where You Fit? We Can Help You Figure It Out
Which Care Path Is Right for You?
Your starting point depends on insurance, care complexity, and budget. You can also move between pathways as your situation changes.
Start With WBMA If You:
- Need specialist-led, integrated care – psychiatry, therapy, and testing coordinated under one practice
- Are seeking advanced treatments – TMS therapy (FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder), ketamine or Spravato (esketamine), or other neuromodulation options
- Require comprehensive diagnostic testing – for ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, neuropsychological concerns, learning differences, or school evaluations
- Have a complex or treatment-resistant history and want psychiatrist-supervised care with the ability to coordinate across multiple treatment approaches
- Have out-of-network benefits or are comfortable with fee-for-service care
Schedule a Consultation at WBMA
Start With BMS If You:
- Have Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or United Healthcare and want to use your insurance for psychiatric services
- Are seeking covered psychiatric evaluations, TMS, medication management, or neuropsychological testing
- Want access to evidence-based psychiatric care at a lower out-of-pocket cost
Start With CNR If You:
- Are open to participating in a sponsored clinical research study under institutional oversight
- Cannot afford standard private-pay or insurance-based care at this time
- Have a condition that may be covered by a current study – CNR has recently run studies covering major depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia
- May need ongoing care after study participation ends – CNR can refer patients to TheMind.us for continued low-cost or charity-based support
See If You Qualify for a CNR Study
Start With TheMind.us If You:
- Need long-term, ongoing mental health support beyond what your insurance or budget currently allows
- Are transitioning out of a CNR research study and need continued affordable care
- Face financial barriers to sustained treatment over time
Insurance-Based Psychiatry Near Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and Washington DC: What BMS Covers
Brain Modulation Services (BMS) accepts the following insurance plans: Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and United Healthcare.
Covered Through BMS Insurance
- Psychiatric evaluations - Initial and follow-up consultations with a licensed provider
- TMS therapy - FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder. Individual treatment outcomes vary. TMS is recommended as part of a broader clinician-supervised care plan.
- Medication management - Handled by Carrie Coulson, NP. Important: Dr. Lahey does not bill insurance for medication management. If you need covered medication management, request an appointment with Carrie Coulson specifically.
- Neuropsychological testing - For qualifying diagnoses and plan types
Not Covered Through BMS Insurance
- Therapy services - Individual, couples, family, and group therapy are not covered through insurance at BMS. Therapy is available through WBMA on a fee-for-service basis.
- Some evaluation types - Certain testing services fall outside standard coverage. Confirm your specific benefits before scheduling.
**Coverage varies by individual plan, diagnosis, and service type. Contact BMS before scheduling to verify what your plan covers.
Sponsored Clinical Research in Chevy Chase, MD - Centurion Neuroscience Research (CNR)
CNR operates within the WBMA clinical environment in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It partners with organizations developing new psychiatric and neurological treatments to run sponsored research studies across the DC, MD, and VA area.
For patients who qualify, participation may provide monitored clinical care at no out-of-pocket cost through the study sponsor. All studies are conducted under institutional oversight and standard clinical research protocols.
Conditions Covered by CNR Studies
Active and recent CNR study areas have included:
- Major depressive disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- ADHD
- Autism spectrum conditions
- Bipolar disorder
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Schizophrenia
Study availability changes as trials open and close enrollment. Visit CNR’s website for the current list of recruiting studies and to learn whether you may qualify.
After a study ends: CNR can refer patients to TheMind.us for continued low-cost or charity-based mental health support. The research-to-extended-care pathway is a built-in feature of the ecosystem.
Supporting Companies: Pathways for Patients Who Need Them
A core commitment across the WBMA ecosystem is that cost should not be the reason someone goes without mental health care. CNR and TheMind.us exist specifically to address this.
- Centurion Neuroscience Research (CNR) – Qualifying participants in a sponsored study may receive clinical care at no cost through study sponsorship. Eligibility is based on clinical criteria specific to each currently enrolling study. centurionnr.com
- TheMind.us – A nonprofit providing low-cost and charity-based extended mental health care. Directly connected to CNR as a continuation-of-care option for patients who need ongoing support after research participation or who simply need affordable long-term care. themind.us
If cost is a barrier, contact our team. We can help identify which pathway fits your situation.
WBMA Specialty Services in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, and Washington DC
WBMA’s out-of-network services are available for patients who need psychiatrist-supervised, integrated, or advanced-level care.
Psychiatry and Medication Management
Psychiatrist-led evaluations, diagnosis refinement, and treatment planning. Pharmacogenomic (genetic) testing may help inform medication selection for some patients - it supports clinical judgment but does not replace it. Individual results vary.
TMS Therapy in Chevy Chase, MD
Non-invasive, outpatient brain stimulation. TMS is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder (2008) and OCD (2018). Individual outcomes vary. Recommended as part of a clinician-supervised treatment plan.
Ketamine Therapy and Spravato in Chevy Chase, MD
IV ketamine (off-label) and Spravato (esketamine), FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression and MDD with acute suicidal ideation. Individual responses vary. A psychiatric evaluation is required before either treatment is considered.
Neuropsychiatric Testing and Diagnostic Evaluations
Psychological and neuropsychological evaluations for children, teens, and adults - covering ADHD, autism, learning differences, memory, and emotional functioning. Results depend on each patient's presentation and evaluation type.
Therapy Across the Lifespan
Individual, couples, family, and group therapy for children, teens, adults, and families. Modality and approach vary by clinician and patient need. Available on a fee-for-service basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WBMA located in Bethesda, MD?
WBMA is located in Chevy Chase, Maryland – not Bethesda. Our address is 5480 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 223, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Many patients come to us from Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, Kensington, McLean, and Washington DC, and our office is only a few minutes from the Bethesda border. If you are searching for mental health care near Bethesda, you will find us just across the line in Chevy Chase. Call us at (301) 576-6044 with any questions about parking, access, or directions.
Does WBMA accept insurance?
WBMA is an out-of-network specialty practice and does not bill insurance directly. Some patients may receive partial reimbursement through their plan’s OON benefits – contact your insurer to verify. If in-network coverage is a priority, BMS accepts Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare for qualifying psychiatric services. Contact us to discuss your situation.
What is the difference between WBMA and BMS?
WBMA is the out-of-network specialty hub – psychiatrist-led, fee-for-service, with integrated care across psychiatry, therapy, testing, and advanced neuromodulation. BMS (Brain Modulation Services) is the in-network affiliate that accepts major insurance plans and delivers care through licensed nurse practitioners, focusing on psychiatry, medication management, TMS therapy, and neuropsychological testing. Both organizations cross-refer patients as needed.
What services does BMS cover through insurance?
BMS accepts insurance for psychiatric evaluations, TMS therapy, medication management through Carrie Coulson NP, and neuropsychological testing for qualifying plan types. Therapy services are not covered through BMS insurance. Coverage varies by plan, diagnosis, and service type.
What is Centurion Neuroscience Research (CNR) and how does it work?
CNR is a clinical research organization that operates within the WBMA clinical environment. It partners with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to run sponsored psychiatric and neurological research studies across the DC, MD, and VA area. Qualified participants may receive monitored clinical care at no out-of-pocket cost, funded through the study sponsor. Participation is voluntary and based on clinical eligibility criteria. After a study ends, CNR can refer patients to TheMind.us for continued affordable care. Visit centurionnr.com/current-studies to see what is currently enrolling.
How are CNR and TheMind.us connected?
CNR and TheMind.us (MIND) have a direct referral relationship within the ecosystem. Patients who complete a sponsored research study through CNR and need continued mental health support may be referred to TheMind.us for low-cost or charity-based extended care. This pathway is intentional – it ensures patients do not fall through the gap between study participation and ongoing care.
What if I cannot afford private-pay mental health care?
Two options exist within the ecosystem. CNR may provide no-cost care for patients who qualify for an active sponsored study. TheMind.us provides low-cost and charity-based extended care for patients facing financial barriers. Contact our team and we will help identify which option may be appropriate for your situation.
Is therapy covered through BMS insurance?
No. Therapy services – individual, couples, family, and group therapy – are not covered through insurance at BMS. Therapy is available through WBMA on a fee-for-service basis. Contact us if cost is a concern and we can discuss available options.
What is TMS therapy and is it FDA-cleared?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive outpatient procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. TMS received FDA clearance for major depressive disorder in 2008 and for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in 2018. Individual outcomes vary. TMS is typically recommended as part of a broader care plan developed with a qualified clinician.
Can patients move between WBMA, BMS, and CNR?
Yes. The ecosystem is designed with cross-referral in mind. A patient who starts at BMS for in-network services may be referred to WBMA if specialist-level or advanced-treatment care is needed. A WBMA patient who wants to explore covered services can be directed to BMS. Patients who qualify for a CNR study may receive research-sponsored care, and after study completion can transition to TheMind.us for ongoing affordable support. Our team can help you navigate transitions between organizations.
