Testimonials & Reviews

Washington Center for Women's and Children's Wellness (WCWCW)
Child, Adolescent, Women’s & Reproductive Psychiatry located in Bethesda, MD and offering Telehealth appointments in Maryland, Virginia, DC, Florida and Michigan
Washington Center for Women's and Children's Wellness (WCWCW) always appreciates feedback from our valued patients. To date, we’re thrilled to have collected 31 reviews with an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Please read what others are saying about Washington Center for Women's and Children's Wellness (WCWCW) below, and as always, we would love to collect your feedback.
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Submitted 10/20/23
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C G.
Submitted 10/01/23
After the birth of my first baby I suffered from terrible postpartum anxiety and depression. I cycled through several other psychiatrists who seemed to know nothing about PPD and were not at all helpful. Luckily a friend referred Dr. Wendy Hookman who saved me from the depths of my severe anxiety. Dr. Hookman was so confident and knowledgeable that she immediately put me at ease and comforted me. I felt so relieved that I was in good hands and that she knew exactly what to do. Over the next several weeks she guided me through therapy and medication, which not only resolved my anxiety, but helped me with other normal issues that come with new motherhood. Twenty two years later, Dr. Hookman is still an important person in my life. She is the calm voice of reason and constant support that has helped me through other challenging times. I highly recommend her, she is brilliant.
Lisa G.
Submitted 09/19/23
Dr. Hookman is amazing! She listens and cares and is so thoughtful. She is also so smart and always thinking of new ways to help and be there for her patients. I would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone !!
Diane S.
Submitted 09/14/23
Dr. Hookman is the most competent, caring, and professional doctor I have ever known.
I was in crisis on my first visit. She listened to me and asked questions to understand my situation and symptoms. She made a plan and discussed it with me, answering all my questions and fears. At the end of the session I left much calmer and confident things would get better. She was available to me between appointments to answer questions. That was such a comfort to me.
I highly recommend Dr. Hookman.
Sonja W.
Submitted 09/06/23
Dr. Hookman literally changed my life. I started seeing her during a very difficult, scary time. I was suffering from depression and anxiety and had no idea why. She determined that much of it was hormonal and related to menopause and thyroid problems. I have worked with Dr. Hookman for many years now. She has carefully tracked my progress, suggested changes in medications over time, and assessed how well everything is working. She has turned my life around. She is an amazing doctor who has always been there for me. I have nothing but the highest regard for her.
Lexi M.
Submitted 09/05/23
Dr. Hookman was so fantastic. In our first session, she immediately helped my PPD/PPA. I was already seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist, but with Dr. Hookman's experience she was able to quickly suggest the right combination of medications for me. She was incredibly reassuring and understanding and felt like a port in a storm!
Rebecca H.
Submitted 08/31/23
Dr. Hookman has been a pleasure to work with. She is warm, welcoming, nonjudgemental, and, most importantly, really helping me improve not only with my mental health but as a person.
Kim S.
Submitted 08/30/23
After two visits to the ER and many phone calls to other doctors, Dr. Hookman graciously agreed to see me the very next day. She took as much time as I needed and truly made me feel comfortable and hopeful. I have continued with Dr. Hookman for several years and her treatment has changed my life. The practice is well run, appointments set up promptly and prescriptions filled quickly. I would recommend Dr. Hookman and her practice to anyone.
Peter B.
Submitted 08/30/23
I am a relatively new patient of Dr. Hookman's and I can't sing her praises enough. She is very attentive and eager to problem-solve while having a terrific bed-side manner. I look forward to my appointments with her! It is nice to have full confidence that my medical provider is extremally competent and always available. Thank you!!!
B S.
Submitted 03/06/23
I have been a patient of Dr. Hookman’s for years and she is absolutely amazing. She takes the time to listen and is very compassionate. She has helped me through many challenges and always provides good advice. She prioritizes her patients well being and cares about them deeply. I am so glad I found Dr. Hookman years ago!
Kimberly S.
Submitted 07/12/22
Dr. Hookman is the best. With psychological expertise and compassion she has changed my life. She was available for me when I really needed a professional and continues to improve my life with regular meetings. She’s smart, kind, mindful and attentive. I’m very happy that I found Dr. Hookman and look forward to continuing with her and improving my life.
Renee G.
Submitted 06/09/22
Dr. Hookman is incredibly tuned into her patients' needs and goals. She devises custom treatment plans that are right for each patient. She keeps up with the latest trends in her field, and provides patients with options that best suit their lifestyles. She is happy to reevaluate and make changes when patients desire them, all while providing the highest level of medical care.
Olivia M.
Submitted 06/08/22
Amazing place for pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, surrogacy, adoption and
post-pregnancy support. These folks will hold your hand at all phases of the process. Whether it's guidance, information, counseling, medication, or something else that you need, they will help you through it. Whereas you might get only a few minutes of time with your OBGYN, WCWCW will answer all of your questions and provide support and encouragement to make your parenting journey go as smoothly as possible.
Andi N.
Submitted 06/08/22
The women who run and work at this Center in addition to being medical and therapeutic experts are empowering and inspiring. This is an extra bonus benefit to visiting this office. Well done!
Ellie L.
Submitted 06/07/22
It’s sometimes hard to come to a psychiatry/psychology practice for the first time. You
might be concerned about what it will be like and what it means to seek help. WCWCW
is warm and welcoming from the moment of arrival. The ambiance is
comfortable and modern. The staff is helpful and pleasant. The doctors and therapists
spend the time with their patients that they need to make them feel better and at
ease. Take the first step and come in for a visit. These practitioners are there for you
and will take care of your health and well-being.
Jennifer G.
Submitted 06/06/22
Joy uses knowledge, compassion, and insight to help me get to my own truth.
John B.
Submitted 06/06/22
Only wonderful things to say about WCWCW. Professional, caring, qualified, and present. For anyone who isn’t sure about reaching out for guidance/therapy/growth - I can tell you, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made and luckily I found the right place.
Jill P.
Submitted 06/06/22
They are so accommodating and helpful. It's a blessing to have them as a part of
one's medical team!
Amanda F.
Submitted 06/03/22
I met Dr. Hookman for the first time 3 weeks after I had my first child in 2010. I'd had
several miscarriages and finally had the baby I'd wanted for so long but I couldn't feel
anything. Actually, all I could feel was fear. Fear that I'd made a huge mistake
because I wouldn't be a good mother, fear that something terrible would happen to
my baby - I just wanted to get in the car and drive away. I couldn't stop crying and
didn't want to touch my baby. Our obstetrician said I probably had Postpartum
Depression and told me "go see Dr. Hookman - she'll help you." And she did.
I can tell you that I've never met a doctor who made me feel so comfortable. Even though I thought I was the only one who had ever felt like this and that I'd never get better, she
assured me that I would and that everything would go back to normal. It didn't happen
immediately, but every day was a little bit better. Dr. Hookman gave me her cell
phone number and said I could call if I needed her. Just having that number helped
more than I can say. Since then, I've had two more children and have not had to deal
with PPD again. I've been through illnesses, marital and job stress and parenting
confusion and have always been able to count on Dr. Hookman to help me work
through it. What I like the most is that she isn't judgmental and really listens. I can say
anything. I liked the old office but the new one is more convenient (it's in the same
complex with my other doctors) and really beautiful. I've referred several friends and
family members to Dr. Hookman but it can be hard to get an appointment with her so
they've seen other doctors there and have had very good experiences, as well.
The office manager is super sweet and easy to talk to. The only thing I
would ask is that Dr. Hookman have later hours, so I could see her after work but I
know she has three kids of her own to get home for. She is also out-of-network and
expensive, but I think you get what you pay for so I don't mind and my insurance
reimburses some of it. The other doctors, I think, charge less. If you think you might
need to see a psychiatrist, don't wait - just make an appointment. You won't regret it.
Tom S.
Submitted 06/03/22
I can offer nothing but high praise for WCWCW. My marriage was in crisis mode
when we first met with Joy Paul for marriage counseling. Our first session was, as
you can imagine, difficult and emotionally charged. Joy allowed the emotions to flow,
intervening when our discussions were on the verge of spiraling out of control, and
separated us when it did spiral out of control. After talking to us separately, she
brought us together...and the enmity between us had dissapated. We were able to
complete the session, listening to each other with compassion rather than
resentment. My wife and I are creatures of emotion. When Joy separated us, I was
fairly well convinced that the possibility of reconciliation was hopeless. Seeing the
smile on my wife's face when I reentered the room was like a narcotic. From then
onward, then tenor of our sessions changed, defined by compassionate and
understanding rather than resentment and hostility. Both my wife and I went to the
session thinking success was a long shot. Joy was able to navigate us through the
fog of emotion such that we both left the session smiling, hopeful, holding hands. We
understood each other so much better. We absolutely have a lot of work to do, but we
both feel much closer and more connected, and we continue to make progress with
Joy's help and guidance. Joy is simply brilliant and her approach to counseling is
masterful.