Appointments & Fees

Art therapy does not require talent in art, only a willingness to create. Set up an appointment with the GW Art Therapy Clinic (GWATC) today. 

A typical art therapy session lasts 45–50 minutes, although occasionally the clinician may find extended sessions to be helpful. Most clients are seen in weekly 1:1 individual therapy sessions with a consistent student therapist throughout the academic year. The GWATC also offers group and family art therapy as needed. 

The GWATC offers about 35 sessions each week from September through July. The clinic is closed on university holidays and breaks, as outlined in the GW Academic Calendar.

We are a fee-for-service clinic, meaning that you are responsible for payment in full at each session. Because we do not officially diagnose clients, we are unable to provide you with a statement or bill for your sessions, and we do not work with any insurance companies.  Payments can be made by cash or via electronic portal.

Fees for sessions are determined on a case by case basis, and are based on client need.  This sliding scale allows us to cover the costs of materials and running the Clinic, while still providing affordable care.  Fees range from $10 to $75, depending on income and other circumstances. At the initial intake session, we will ask you to determine what you feel you are reasonably able to pay to maintain consistent services. 

What Is Art Therapy?

Make an Appointment

Contact the GWATC to set up a free intake meeting. In the initial screening, you will meet with the graduate student(s) and/or director to review your history and reasons for pursuing art therapy. 

Eligibility

The GW Art Therapy Clinic is a learning Clinic, and does not provide after hour care or emergency services.  We meet with all clients to determine whether Clinic services are a good fit for each client's current needs.  We offer care coordination with other supportive professionals, such as psychiatrists, primary therapists, school counselors, and case managers for residents of the DC metro area.

A client who is currently abusing substances that interfere with daily functioning, or who is actively suicidal or homicidal, or who has a serious mental illness requiring intensive treatment and medical management may not be appropriate for services at the GWATC. We are also not an appropriate provider for those who are involved in legal issues or court referred.

In some cases we will work with clients who have recently been discharged from a more intensive therapeutic setting (hospital or day center) and who is also in treatment with another outside primary therapist.

If a person is deemed ineligible for art therapy services at the clinic, we can provide referral to other providers and agencies. If a current client becomes suicidal or it becomes evident that the individual being seen in the clinic requires a higher level of treatment, clinicians may be required to refer that person to a more appropriate level of care.

What to Prepare for your Appointment

All new patients will need to fill out an intake form. When we schedule you for an intake session, we will also share an Informed Consent Form and Artwork Release Form to sign and review. You may also be asked to sign a release form so that clinicians can collaborate with other support professionals who you may be working with. You are also welcome to share any pertinent records that would be beneficial for us to see, such as psychological or educational evaluations.

Intake Session

At this meeting we will determine if art therapy at our Clinic is a good fit. Intake meetings are usually scheduled during daytime hours and last about an hour. Teens are encouraged to participate in their intake session.  As the clinician conducting the intake will not necessarily be the one providing therapy services, you can determine whether it would be beneficial for children to introduce themselves and share their interests and concerns during a portion of the intake meeting.  

Taping of Sessions

For training purposes, all sessions are digitally recorded so that students can review their work in a confidential supervision setting. All clients will be informed of the recording policy upon their initial contact with the GWATC and will not begin treatment in the center without agreeing to and signing the forms regarding video taping. Confidentiality regarding taping and viewing tapes will be strictly maintained according to the American Art Therapy Association and Virginia Board of Counseling codes of ethics.  If this is not a good fit for you, we encourage to find a local therapist through the Art Therapy Credentialing Board by calling 877-213-2822 or visiting https://www.atcb.org/find-a-credentialed-art-therapist/

Typical Therapy Session

Contrary to popular belief, one does not need to have any art “talent” to benefit from art therapy. Art therapy provides a unique vehicle for accessing and expressing feelings that may be difficult to describe with words.

Art making can include a range of tasks such as simple line drawings, exploring watercolor, making a clay sculpture or sewing in cloth. Depending on the needs and goals of the individual client, the art therapist may suggest another spontaneous drawing medium or method.

Once artwork is complete, the art therapist and client will review together the process and product. In art therapy, we tend to focus more on the process than the final art product, as we are interested in each individual’s personal experience of creating artwork. Often through this exploration, clients will find symbolic meaning in artwork. Art therapy is a great way to learn about oneself.

Our art therapy sessions are conducted on a weekly basis during a consistent day and appointment time that is convenient for you and your student art therapist.

Cancellations

We require 24 hours' notice for cancellation; otherwise clients will be expected to pay in full for missed sessions.

Termination of Therapy

We realize that art therapy is not for everyone, needs can change, and sometimes a therapist and client are just not a good fit. This is a natural part of the process of finding services that meet your needs.  We encourage clients to be as open as possible with their therapist to discuss what's working and any concerns, discomfort, or problems as they arise. This openness can make all the difference between a “helpful” and an “unproductive” relationship.

Whether it is time to end therapy due to schedule changes, clinical needs, or personality issues, we ask that you spend at least 1-2 sessions discussing the situation with your art therapist. Sometimes the discussion can lead to a resolution or facilitate a good way to move forward.  You can also contact the Clinic Director to support this process.

Saying goodbye when ending therapy is an important aspect of the therapeutic process, practicing healthy closure in relationships, and often helps both client and therapist wrap up the work that has been done.  Part of this process will be giving you the opportunity to provide feedback around services in the Clinic.