Getting Started With Therapy
Therapy for Individual and for Couples, Friends and Family, and Colleagues
Rebecca Wilkinson provides the therapy services at CWW
Rebecca has been a therapist for over 30 years. She is trained in art therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness-based practices, meditation, sand tray, Jungian therapy, action methods, trauma recovery, 12 Step recovery, positive psychology and traditional verbal psychotherapy.
How to Get Started with Rebecca
If you would like to work with Rebecca, please give her a call at 202.352.5225 or email her for a free consultation. The call usually lasts about 10-20 minutes. We’ll briefly go over what has brought you to therapy and what it would look like if our work together was most helpful. Below are some frequently asked questions.
Please note that Rebecca is only meeting with clients online at this time.
Hours
Because most of Rebecca’s clients live in different time zones, she provides hours outside of the traditional workday and on the weekend. Let her know what works best for your schedule. Back to FAQs
Cancellation Policy
If you are not able to attend a scheduled session, please notify Rebecca within 24 hours to avoid being charge for the session. Exceptions are made for emergencies. If that is the case, please let Rebecca know. Back to FAQs
Duration of Session and Fees
- Sessions last for a full hour
- Shorter and longer sessions can also be arranged
- Home visits may be possible for an additional charge (on pause during COVID)
- See Rebecca’s Practice Agreement for current fees Back to FAQs
Payment Methods
Payment is generally expected at time of service. If you need other arrangements, please let Rebecca know. We accept payment through Cash, Check, Venmo, Zelle, and Paypal. Back to FAQs
Insurance
We do not take insurance but Rebecca can provide a Superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider. Some clients have been able to get reimbursed for their sessions; however, we suggest you contact your insurance company in advance to determine whether they will do so. Back to FAQs
Online Therapy /Telehealth
Because of COVID, we are meeting with all of our clients online. Many clients find this convenient for their lifestyles. They don’t have to deal with traffic and parking and can meet from the comfort in their own home. If they have concerns about privacy, they don’t have to be seen at a therapy office.
Some clients worry at first that they will not feel the same level of safety and reassurance if they are not meeting with their therapist in person. That concern usually disappears fairly quickly. Within just a couple of minutes, most clients no longer notice that they are not in the same physical space. If that is not the case, we can discuss ways to make it feel more comfortable, safe, and natural. Back to FAQs
Requirements for Online Therapy
What you will need to do Online Therapy:
- Access to a digital device (smart phone, Ipad, laptop of desktop computer)
- Internet connection
- Video and audio on your device
- A place to meet where you will not be interrupted. Back to FAQs
Online Therapy Platforms
- Our preferred online platform is Zoom because it is most secure.
- Rebecca also works with Skype and Facetime.
- Some of her clients also call her by phone.
- Rebecca does not do therapy by email. Back to FAQs
Confidentiality
Your privacy is very important. Rebecca takes confidentiality very seriously. In order to protect it, Rebecca does the following:
- Personally handles all calls and emails from her clients.
- Maintains password protections for all digital devices and records.
- Only discusses your case with others when you have given express written permission to do so.
- Does not reveal to anyone that you are her client unless, again, you have given her permission to do so.
- Discusses the limits of confidentiality with you so you understand when exceptions would have to occur.
- Works from a private office so that sessions cannot be overheard by others. Back to FAQs
What Will Therapy Look Like?
Rebecca specializes in a combination of art therapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness-based practices, meditation, sand tray, Jungian therapy, action methods, trauma recovery, 12 Step recovery, positive psychology, and traditional verbal psychotherapy.
Our work together will include whichever of these approaches best suits your needs, your preferences, and what seems to be resonating with you most. Back to FAQs
How Long Will I Be in Therapy?
Some clients meet with us for between 4-10 sessions because they want to address a focused issue. Other clients want to dive deeply into a facet of their lives so we might meet over a longer period of time. And finally, some clients continue to touch base with us throughout their lives for ongoing support and inspiration.
During your consultation call, Rebecca will give you a clear picture of the timeline she recommends based upon what you are trying to accomplish in therapy.
If you have any other questions about getting started, feel free to call Rebecca directly and she can answer any of your concerns. Back to FAQs
Art Therapy
Not all of Rebecca’s clients do art therapy, but some come specifically for the benefits you can get from this unique form of therapy. For those of you that would like to learn more about art therapy, below are some of the questions that people usually have. Back to FAQs
Do You Have to Be an Artist to Do Art Therapy?
You don’t have to be an artist or even like art. Most people who come to us for art therapy don’t identify themselves as artists and many of them report that they initially felt childish at the thought of doing art. What they find surprising is that even from the simplest drawing of stick figures, they learn something new and different about themselves and what they are struggling with.
In addition, once they get past the natural resistance to doing art–whether it’s because it’s new and unfamiliar or because it can be anxiety provoking to do artwork in front of others– they find it enjoyable, relaxing, and even fun. Even more importantly, they finding it revealing and informative.
What Makes Art Different?
Making art accesses a part of the brain that is not censored by language. It bypasses the limits of our conscious mind and taps into deeper layers of thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.
This helps us to see our current situations more clearly, to revisit our past to find more empowering narratives, and to visualize and move toward a more fulfilling future.
What You Can Expect in Art Therapy
It’s hard to tell you exactly what an art therapy session will look like but the chances are you will be doing art! What kind of art depends on you, your needs, and the supplies we have at hand.
Usually, some of the session is spent talking about what’s on your mind or most important to you at that moment, some time on making art, and the last part on going over what making the art was like and what is has to tell you. Some clients do their art before the session because they want to spend the therapy time processing their imagery. Other clients, for example people who are trying to tap into their creativity, like to spend most of the session doing art and less time talking about what they made.
Clients who do art therapy with us for awhile develop a collection of artwork that becomes a testimony of their progress. Our clients report that one of the things that was most beneficial to them was seeing this tangible record of their work in therapy.
How Do Clients Do Art Therapy Online through Telehealth?
As most of us are discovering, meeting online works surprisingly well. Even if it isn’t always ideal, people seem to be able to find the same level of comfort and reassurance that meeting in person provided. We’re finding that many of our clients actually prefer meeting online because they don’t have to leave the comfort and safety of their home.
Doing art therapy online also works surprisingly well. Usually in the first session, we’ll help you figure our what art supplies will work best for you and provide you with resources for accessing them economically.
Because working online also brings unique confidentiality concerns, we will go over with you the steps to help ensure your privacy. Back to FAQs
if you ‘re ready to bring more positivity into your life and into your relationships. Call Rebecca at +1 202.352.5225 or email her to get started.