Appointments
How To Schedule an Appointment
First Steps
- Call during office hours at 603-283-2156. The office staff will answer any questions you may have.
- We gather some information from you by phone or in person.
- We then assign a therapist to work with you, and we set up a first session (first sessions are typically 90 minutes).
- Should we determine that we cannot meet your needs, we will help identify a more appropriate treatment resource in the area.
Canceling an Appointment
If you cannot attend a scheduled appointment, we ask that you call to cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You will be charged for sessions that you miss for reasons other than emergencies.
What To Expect
Personal Commitment
We believe that it is essential for you to maintain a personal commitment to therapy for successful therapy to occur. Therefore, we cannot stress enough the importance of keeping all scheduled appointments with your clinician. We also recognize that emergencies arise at inopportune times. If you must miss an appointment due to illness or an emergency, please contact the office as far in advance of your scheduled meeting time as possible.
Cost
We are committed to making services affordable. Fees are based on a sliding scale relative to the client’s (individual, couple, or family) income. We accept cash or checks for sessions. We do not bill insurance companies. Fees are due at time of service.
Cameras and Mirrors
Because CFTI is a training facility, each therapy room is equipped with an unobtrusive video camera so that therapists can tape sessions. Videos are used to ensure that the therapist is providing you with the best services possible. They are watched only by supervisors, with a focus on the therapist and how he or she is responding, not on the client. Video recordings are stored no longer than two years after therapy has ended.
In addition to cameras, each room has a one-way mirror. This allows supervisors or therapy teams to watch a therapist work with you in real time. Again, the purpose is to provide the therapist with feedback about his or her work with you.
We are committed to providing excellent therapeutic services and training excellent marriage and family therapists. Our cameras and mirrors allow for the supervision and collaboration that makes our commitment possible.
Confidentiality
What you talk about with a therapist is confidential and will not be revealed outside of CFTI without your permission. No information can be shared with other professionals or agencies without a written release from you unless there is a legal obligation that constitutes an exception. Exceptions include:
- If there is evidence of child abuse, or abuse of the elderly or dependent adults;
- If we judge that you are in danger of harming yourself, another individual, or their property; or
- If we receive a court order for your records.
In the event of any of these situations, we would attempt to discuss our intentions with you before an action is taken, and we would limit disclosure of confidential information to the minimum necessary to ensure safety.
Sessions
Your first session will last about 90 minutes. Your therapist will go over some paperwork with you and then interview you about what brought you to CFTI and your goals for therapy. Subsequent sessions usually last 50 minutes, although sometimes your therapist may request a longer session with you. Typically, sessions are conducted with one therapist, but co-therapy teams may be assigned to couples and families.