FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I schedule an appointment?

You can reach us by calling our intake number at 603-218-6073. You can also email us at referrals@bedfordfamilytherapy.com .

2. How long do sessions last?

Sessions usually range from 1 to 1 ½ hours. The length of appointments will be negotiated between the therapist and client family. Please note, that persons using their health insurance benefits may be limited to a 45-50 minute session, as contracted by their insurance carrier.

3. Do you accept insurance?

Yes, Bedford Family Therapy accepts insurance. Please see the Fees and Scheduling page for the list of insurance companies we are in-network for.

If you have an insurance plan that is not listed, please call your insurance carrier to find out about out- of- network benefits that may be available to you.

Although Bedford Family Therapy works with various insurance companies, using third party payers carries a certain amount of risk in regards to confidentiality. Additionally, utilizing health benefits, versus private pay, may limit the length of appointments and overall services due to managed care restrictions.

4. Do you have a reduced fee or sliding fee scale?

We do not want to turn anyone away due to a financial situation. If you cannot afford the full hourly fee, please introduce this when you call or discuss the matter with your therapist. You may be eligible for a reduced fee which is based, in part, on family income.

5. Do you have evening hours?

Yes, morning, afternoon and evening hours are available in order to meet the needs of family members who may be unavailable or working during the day.

6. What if I start in therapy by myself, but I want to shift into couple’s therapy, can my partner participate?

Therapy should be a collaboration between therapist and client, and goals should be continually reviewed. If shifting from individual therapy to couple’s therapy is appropriate and clinically relevant, the therapist and client will discuss how and when to make this shift.

7. What theoretical approach do you use?

Therapists at Bedford Family Therapy are marriage and family therapists and utilize a family systems framework to understand and assess problems and family dynamics. Family Systems Theory suggests that individuals and problems should be explored in context with an emphasis on interpersonal relationships. In other words, families and the larger social context are interconnected. Family members influence and are influenced by each other through interactional sequences. Even when an individual is interviewed alone, therapists working from a family systems perspective will consider the individual’s nuclear family, extended family as well as the community where the family lives. If one family member is struggling, it is likely other family members are being affected. As a result, therapy appointments may include whole families, couples, individuals and other combinations to facilitate change.

8. What are the benefits of seeing a marriage and family therapist versus a psychologist or social worker?

Many therapists (psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, etc) have a similar goal of helping their clients reduce their presenting complaints. However, therapists’ training determines how this goal will be achieved. Marriage and family therapy tends to be brief, solution-focused, and collaborative. Client strengths and skills are emphasized and exceptions to problems are identified. Problems are not viewed in isolation, but rather they are understood in the context of family and community relationships. Marriage and family therapists recognize that the client family is the expert on their family, and this information is critical in order to understand the family dynamics. Moreover, marriage and family therapists work with their clients to establish the goals of treatment. It is important to create goals that are specific and attainable so progress can be measured. Overall, clients may prefer seeing a marriage and family therapist because treatment is based on a model, which draws on client strengths, is solution-focused, collaborative and family-centered.

9. How often will we meet?

Appointment scheduling is flexible and is to be negotiated between the therapist and client. Often times, therapy begins on a weekly basis as the therapeutic relationship is being established and information is being gathered. Therapy can continue on a weekly basis or can be spread out depending on the needs of the client family.

10. What if I do not want anyone knowing that I am in therapy?

No one has to know you are in therapy unless you want to reveal this information about yourself. Therapists at Bedford Family Therapy take confidentiality very seriously. Confidentiality maintains that communications between a client and a licensed therapist are privileged and may only be disclosed with the specific, written authorization by the client or adult/legal guardian of the minor client, through a court order or when required by NH state law.

11. Can you prescribe medication?

No, therapists cannot prescribe medication unless they have a medical degree to do so. Although, therapists at Bedford Family Therapy cannot prescribe medications, they can recommend and coordinate treatment with providers in the community such as psychiatrists, primary care physicians and nurse practitioners.