Specialized Therapy and Psychological Testing in Baltimore, MD

I cannot say enough good things about Yisrael Zev Schwartz and his incredible work at Behavioral Health Direct. If you or someone you care about is struggling with OCD or anxiety, you won’t find a more dedicated, compassionate, and skilled professional to guide you through the healing process. Yisrael has a rare gift—he not only understands the complexities of OCD and anxiety but also knows how to connect with his clients in a way that makes them feel truly seen and supported. His use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is both effective and empowering, helping clients break free from the cycles of intrusive thoughts and compulsions that can feel overwhelming. What stands out the most is his patience, warmth, and unwavering belief in his clients’ ability to improve. He has a way of balancing gentle encouragement with just the right amount of challenge, pushing clients toward real growth while making sure they never feel alone in the process. I’ve personally seen the tremendous impact his work has had, and it’s nothing short of life-changing. His approach isn’t just about symptom reduction—it’s about helping people reclaim their lives and find hope again. If you’re looking for someone who truly cares and delivers real results, Yisrael Zev Schwartz and Behavioral Health Direct are the best of the best.

I was client from January to June. I had many sessions that were helpful to overcome obstacles in life. He carefully listens and explores with you different alternatives until you find the best strategy that suite your need. He is very realistic and provide practical recommendations.

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Yisrael for a long time personally and professionally. Yisrael brings an incredible level of professionalism, empathy, and insight to their work, undoubtyl making a profound difference in the lives of his clients. He have a unique ability to create a safe, welcoming space for individuals to explore and work through their challenges. I have no doubt that anyone who works with Yisrael will benefit from his expertise and genuine care. Highly recommend!

I am beyond grateful for the incredible support and guidance I received from Yisrael during a time when my anxiety was overwhelming. Yisrael's compassion, understanding, and expertise were evident from the very beginning. He created a safe and nurturing environment where I felt comfortable opening up about my struggles and fears. Yisrael's deep knowledge of anxiety management techniques and his ability to tailor them to my specific needs truly made a difference in my life. With his help, I learned valuable coping strategies that have empowered me to face my anxiety head-on. Yisrael's unwavering support and encouragement have been a constant source of strength for me. I cannot thank him enough for the positive impact he has had on my mental well-being. I wholeheartedly recommend Yisrael to anyone seeking support for anxiety or any other mental health concerns. Thank you, Yisrael, for being an incredible source of support when I needed it the most!

In 2024 I experienced an episode of health anxiety that completely took over my life. I felt afraid every day, I was constantly examining myself for new “symptoms”, and I was even making dramatic lifestyle changes to “treat” the conditions I was worried about. Over the course of a year working with Yisrael, I learned to understand and identify my anxious thoughts and received practical advice on how to live with them. Yisrael also helped me address other parts of my life where anxiety came into play, including fear of flying, social anxiety, and family dynamics. For most of my life, I thought I was stuck as an anxious person, but now I feel like I am equipped with the knowledge and skills to manage my anxieties as they arise. I am forever grateful to Yisrael for helping me get back into my life, and I would recommend him as a knowledgeable, compassionate and supportive resource for anyone dealing with anxiety!

I have really enjoyed working with Yisrael. I made a lot of progress in a very short amount of time in reducing my anxiety and improving my anxiety-related behaviors both in driving and in other domains. He provided both practical techniques as well as improving my self-awareness of how some of my thought processes impacted my life. Also from a practical side the billing, consent, and scheduling process with him was always very smooth. I would definitely recommend him to anyone struggling with panic, anxiety, depression, or other disorders that benefit from a cognitive-behavioral approach.

I found Dr. Schwartz after doing some research online. I came to him with issues related to OCD and anxiety. I had numerous in person sessions spaced out over several months. Dr. Schwartz was very understanding and helped me work through some very distressing thought patterns. I would absolutely recommend BHD to anyone seeking treatment for anxiety/OCD related issues. Sharing was very easy and I never felt any type of judgement or shame.

My experiences with Yisrael have been insightful and wonderful! What makes his approach to therapy unique is that he focuses on what is in our control and how to navigate intense emotions/thought patterns in the present. He is very flexible, understanding and kind. This is the first therapy experience I’ve had where I really could build my confidence in myself and continue working on the things I need on my own, using the tools he gave me. I highly recommend him and this approach!

Hillel is not only a highly skilled therapist but also one that has the intangible ability to create a real connection with his clients. Finding somebody that does both can be tricky but Hillel is your guy!

Dr. Temima Schwartz is a real asset to students, parents, and teachers. In addition to her training in the area of neuropsychological evaluations, she also has hands-on-experience in the school setting working with students who faced numerous educational challenges and found school difficult. She has excellent problem-solving skills and very strong communication skills. Dr. Schwartz listens carefully to students, parents, and educators as she completes the testing process. She has a deep understanding of how the brain functions and she is a wonderful resource in the evaluation community. Her reports are clear and easy to understand with realistic recommendations.

I worked with Yisrael for about three months. We focused on how to raise children and resolving conflicts mindfully. Specifically, we addressed the role of anxiety and other phenomena that can detract from adherence to our values. Yisreal was quickly able to help me articulate my concerns, which made them less intimidating, and he was just as quick to recommend targeted, high-quality resources that I still reference. He introduced me to a helpful phrase that's become kind of a mantra to me: "Is this (behavior) serving me?" It's not a quick fix, but it does help me rapidly categorize my thinking as a helpful synthesis of new information or an unhelpful rehashing of habitual thoughts. From an administrative perspective, Yisreal used a helpful platform that handled insurance billing for me. That made billing pretty straightforward.