FAQs

You simply call (603) 434-1577, option 2 between 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weekdays to reach the Access to Care Department.

– If you are calling to make an appointment for an adult friend or family member, have that person with you when you call so we can also talk to him/her/them.

– If you are calling to schedule a child, we will ask questions regarding custody and/or guardianship. If a child lives with one parent and the other parent is not living in the same home, we may request legal documentation to determine if parental consent of both parents will be required to obtain ongoing services. A parent/guardian must be present with the child for all appointments.

On the initial call, the Access to Care specialist will gather basic demographic and insurance information. You will be asked a series of questions to help determine how to best address your concerns. Please be prepared to spend five to ten minutes, preferably in a quiet location, to complete the call. If we aren’t the right provider to help you, we will make recommendations for next steps you can take.

As our region’s designated community mental health center, CLM provides services for residents of the towns of Atkinson, Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Newton, Pelham, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown and Windham. Click for a complete list of NH’s Community Mental Health Centers.

We offer both in-person and telehealth appointments using Microsoft Teams. Due to significant demand for mental health services, there is more availability for appointments between the hours of 9:00 am-3:00 pm. We will try our best, but may not be able to accommodate your first preference for appointment time or type.

Please bring these important documents (as applicable): insurance card, driver’s license or photo ID, medication list, guardianship paperwork, provider list, parenting plan, IEP/504 plan, psychological/academic testing results, legal paperwork and co-pay as applicable. If you have recently been discharged from the hospital, please bring your discharge paperwork with you.

We ask that you arrive approximately 30 minutes early to complete some initial paperwork. You will meet with a clinician for approximately an hour for the Clinical Assessment. They will gather a detailed history, try to understand your needs and work with you to develop a treatment plan you feel will provide you with your desired outcomes. If it is determined that CLM is not the best practice to meet your needs, you will be provided with resources to other practices.

For some people, weekly, solution-focused brief treatment may best suit their needs. For others, additional support services may be recommended for more comprehensive care. Treatment may also include visits with one of our medical providers to help manage symptoms and enhance recovery.

Not usually, following your Intake appointment you will be assigned to a clinician who is best suited to meet your needs.

CLM does not provide Medication Only as a service. Research shows that a combination of methods is usually most beneficial to the treatment of mental health issues. Not all situations require medications and sometimes it is desirable to receive talk therapy and / or other supportive services as your primary treatment, depending upon your needs.

For current CLM clients diagnosed with mental illness and substance use disorder, we can provide Vivitrol under the supervision of a Medical Staff provider.

We do not provide MAT treatment with Suboxone, Methadone or Sublocade. For MAT treatment providers, refer to NH Treatment Locator or NH DHHS Substance Use Treatment.

We have staff on call 24/7 to deal with emergencies. Call 603-434-1577, Option 1 to reach Acute Care Services. Depending on the situation, we provide crisis assessment by phone or video telehealth, in-office or when needed our Mobile Crisis Response team will respond in-person to the individual where they are in community. CLM also provides Walk-In Crisis Assessments at our Derry office during business hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) CLM staff will discuss the emergency, develop a crisis plan, and, if needed, coordinate for you to be evaluated at your local emergency room. For life threatening emergencies call 911.

Common Signs for Concern Include:

  • Talking or thinking about harming or killing oneself or others
  • Seeking guns, pills or other ways to kill oneself
  • Talking or writing about death, dying, or killing oneself
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Feeling very angry or looking for revenge
  • Acting recklessly or engaging in unsafe activities
  • Feeling trapped, like there is no way out
  • Increasing alcohol or drug use
  • Pulling away from friends and family
  • Feeling worried or irritated
  • Having trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time

To get immediate help call CLM Acute Care Services at 603-434-1577, option 1. To reach NH Rapid Response Call or Text 833-710-6477 or Chat at www.NH988.com. Reach the National Suicide Hotline by calling 988.

Nearly all of the services we offer at CLM are covered by health insurance. We have contracts with most health plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. We will inform you of any co-pays, deductibles or other costs for which you may be responsible. We encourage you to contact your insurance company or CLM’s business office with any coverage/financial questions you may have.

There are very strict Federal and State laws and regulations to protect the privacy of healthcare information. CLM carefully adheres to these standards.

You have a right to look at or request a copy your records. If you sign a release, we will forward a copy of your records to you or a third party. Once released, we no longer have any control over what the person or agency does with the information they obtain. For your first request, you can have the first 25 pages copied, at no charge. Each additional page thereafter will cost $.25 per page. Please give us 7 to 10 business days for processing upon receipt of request. Click for CLM Medical Records Request page.

Be supportive and mention your concern and desire to help them. Try to resist the temptation to advise or lecture. Instead, tell them you are happy to listen but the most effective thing you can do is to help them to connect with someone trained to help them. If he/she/they responds positively, then offer to assist him/her/them in calling us. If you are concerned that this person may harm him/herself/themself, call us for advice or, if necessary, call 911.

Know that your support and encouragement are very important. Lecturing is not usually effective. Feel free to call the person’s clinician, if your concern persists. Please remember, without the client’s consent, the therapist cannot share any information with you but they can listen to your concerns. For you it may only be a one-way conversation and we may have to inform the client of your call.

You should call (603) 434-1577, option 2 and ask to speak to our Access to Care Department.