Advanced Behavioral Health, Inc. (ABH) has opened a new outpatient office in Hagerstown, marking its first entry into Washington County and expanding access to mental health services for residents who previously had limited local options. The office, located at 265 Mill Street, Suite 800, began seeing patients on September 1, 2026, according to a company announcement.
The expansion is a strategic move to address the growing need for behavioral health care in the region. By establishing a presence in Washington County, ABH now serves individuals, youth, and families across six Maryland counties, bringing its comprehensive model of care to a new population. The new office offers a range of services including individual and family therapy, school-based therapy, telehealth counseling, and psychiatric evaluation and medication management. These services are designed to meet patients where they are, reducing barriers such as travel time and long waitlists that often prevent people from seeking help.
Vera Kurdian, CEO of ABH, emphasized the organization's commitment to community partnership. "Serving families and supporting communities one individual at a time is what we do best," she said. "This expansion allows us to build a collaborative partnership in Washington County, where families can expect high-quality and timely mental health and psychiatric services." She also highlighted the economic benefit: "This expansion also provides job opportunities for mental health professionals, from an organization as committed to its employees as it is to its patients."
The opening comes at a critical time. Mental health challenges have been on the rise nationwide, and rural and suburban areas often face shortages of providers. Washington County has historically had fewer mental health resources compared to more urban parts of Maryland, making this expansion particularly impactful. By offering both onsite and offsite therapy, as well as telehealth, ABH aims to reach patients who might otherwise go without care.
Looking ahead, ABH plans to bring its Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) to the Hagerstown office once Maryland's PRP moratorium lifts, expected in 2027. This program would further build out the continuum of care, providing support for individuals with serious mental illness to live independently and integrate into the community. The addition of PRP would fill a significant gap in Washington County, where such services are scarce.
The new office also strengthens ABH's statewide presence, which already includes locations in Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's, and now Washington Counties. The organization accepts major insurance and Medicaid, and offers a discounted fee program to ensure that no one is denied access to care due to inability to pay, with eligibility requirements. This commitment to accessibility is a cornerstone of ABH's mission, which has earned it recognition as a Top Workplace in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
The expansion is not just about providing services; it is about integrating into the community. ABH plans to collaborate with local schools, healthcare providers, and social services to create a network of support. By offering school-based therapy, the organization aims to catch mental health issues early in youth, potentially reducing long-term impacts. The Hagerstown office is now a new resource for residents, and its opening represents a significant step toward ensuring that mental health care is within reach for all Marylanders.
