MISSION STATEMENT

Bedford Family Therapy is dedicated to treating the family as a system. We believe individuals are interconnected with their families and the larger community. By integrating direct practice, research, and theory, we strive to improve outcomes for individuals and their families who are dealing with emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues. We value clients as experts on their families and rely on a collaborative approach, which emphasizes client strengths, is solution-focused, and family centered.

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PSYCHOTHERAPY

We provide family therapy, couples therapy, and individual psychotherapy in an outpatient, office-based setting. Our clinicians meet the highest standards of the profession for education and clinical experience. The therapeutic goal is to help you develop healthier and more satisfying relationships with others as well as yourself. We are committed to a treatment approach in which growth and development are best understood and promoted within the context of family and community relationships. Through the use of a collaborative approach, goals will be established, solutions will be generated, and problems will be solved. We will also help you gain skills in order to better manage and solve problems more effectively in the future.

EMDR

EMDR is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an innovative form of therapy that links many successful elements of a variety of therapeutic approaches in combination with eye movements. The eye movements help to effectively stimulate the brain’s information processing system in order to access and process traumatic memories thus bringing them to an adaptive resolution.

This therapy can help with both the healing of psychological pain and physical discomfort related to trauma, depression, anxiety and self-esteem issues. It is used to accelerate the treatment of both upsetting past events and present life conditions. Controlled studies of victims of Vietnam combat, accidents, catastrophic loss, natural disasters and molestation indicate that this innovative method is capable of rapid desensitization of traumatic memories and a significant reduction of painful symptoms including emotional distress, uncomfortable thoughts, flashbacks and nightmares.

For more information about EMDR please ask your therapist at Bedford Family Therapy, and/or feel free to visit the EMDR Institute website at http://www.emdr.com

MEDICAL FAMILY THERAPY

As mental health professionals, who have worked in medical settings and have collaborated closely with health care professionals, we have learned that not only does the mind influence the body’s functioning, but the opposite is true as well. There are a variety of conditions in which the body influences the mind in ways that are very significant. It is useful to be aware of how one’s body influences emotional, psychological, and interpersonal functioning.

Sometimes clients underestimate the role that illness may play in their individual and family lives. Illness is a powerful theme in many families and should be assessed as a routine part of therapy. We gather this information by utilizing a genogram and by incorporating questions that elicit the client family’s story. Biological or physical illnesses are often powerful “family members” that shape the life course of families as much as other factors. By inquiring about what illnesses the individual or their family member has had; what their style of coping is; how they make sense of the experiences and who was most/least involved with the person who is ill; we not only gain an understanding of how the family deals with illness but an understanding of how the family may deal with other forms of adversity as well.

COACHING

Coaching can provide empowerment and support in a wide variety of ways. Whether a client is seeking a change, or simply wants to progress in his or her business or personal life with more focus and vigor, coaching can make all the difference. Coaching is a sophisticated form of teaching which is meant to expand one’s awareness of the internal and external roadblocks and speed bumps that get in the way of reaching goals. As coaches, we can assist and support clients in designing an environment which reinforces and drives their desired changes. Ultimately, coaching can provide clients with feedback, insight, guidance and direction in achieving their full potential.

HOME-BASED FAMILY STABILIZATION

Bedford Family Therapy has partnered up in-network withAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) and ou-of-network with several other insurance companies to provide home-based family systems therapy for patients who continue to be at risk for harming self or others, or when their performance of daily living activities has greatly deteriorated. Home-Based Family Stabilization Services may be appropriate in order to improve family stability and structure in the context of the patient’s home living situation.

Home-Based Family Stabilization Services may be authorized by BCBS or another insurance company when:

• the patient’s behavior and risk is related to identifiable family dynamics and interactions that cannot be properly addressed through traditional, office-based interventions.
• a patient has been unresponsive to standard outpatient therapy and the potential for causing serious harm to self or others exists
• a patient has been discharged from an inpatient facility or partial hospitalization program, and the patient continues to be at significant risk of harm to self or others without a comprehensive home-based intervention. Although safety issues remain, risk is not serious enough to require 24-hour/day supervision.
• intensive home-based intervention is necessary in order to avoid deterioration and (re) hospitalization.

Referrals for Home-Based Family Stabilization Services may come from outpatient, community therapists or psychiatric hospital staff. Home-Based Family Stabilization Services fall within client inpatient benefits. In order to access these benefits, an outpatient clinical assessment is necessary as well as precertification from BCBS.

HOME-BASED SERVICES

Bedford Family Therapy can provide home-based services to any patient/family who is interested in such services, even in the absence of imminent harm to self or others. The home setting can provide an excellent context to observe family patterns and problems where they usually occur. Furthermore, addressing problems and changing patterns of interactions in the moment can provide families with the guidance and confidence they desire. Home-based services may be necessary throughout treatment or for a one time assessment. Payment for home-based services is the responsibility of the client and is due at the time of service. The billing rate for these services is $95 per hour including travel time. Additional factors to consider include therapist availability, location, and clinical need.