Bedford Psychology

Bedford Psychology, founded by Dr. Rita Bender, PsyD, is a comprehensive private practice dedicated to providing high-quality assessment, consultation, diagnostics, and treatment services to teens and adults. Dr. Bender is a licensed clinical psychologist in both New York and Connecticut, with extensive education and training in psychology, including a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and postdoctoral training at the Yale Affiliate/State of Connecticut Children's Hospital.

Dr. Bender's approach to psychotherapy is holistic, positive, and developmental, focusing on helping individuals develop a more positive and meaningful identity. Her expertise lies in addressing complex relationship matters, anxiety, depression, and evaluative needs in a thoughtful, realistic, and beneficial manner. Dr. Bender is ADOS and Social Thinking trained, making her uniquely qualified to handle autism diagnostics and support.

Services Offered

At Bedford Psychology, Dr. Bender offers a range of services tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. These services include:

For Children

• Consultation for conditions usually diagnosed in childhood, such as separation anxiety, attention deficit, and sensory concerns.
• Expertise with autism diagnostics and support.
• Intelligence evaluations and neurocognitive testing reviewed for interpretation and second opinion.
• Support for parents, as well as home or school observations, are possible.

For Teens

• Assistance in developing an authentic voice.
• Using a strengths-based, now-and-future cognitive behavioral approach, we will collaboratively explore clinical concerns including anxiety and depression, especially in relation to self and relationships.
• Full-scale personality and intellectual assessments provided to assist in emphasizing identity and strengths.
• Dr. Bender has worked with adolescents across multiple settings and is familiar with the specific privileges and challenges of living in Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

For Emerging Adults & Adults

• A dynamic and positive therapeutic approach focusing on relationships with self and others.
• We will consider ongoing or short-term classical insight and interpersonal oriented psychotherapy to treat anxiety and depression, bringing forward a healthy self, based on the Eriksonian principles of love, industry, intimacy, care, generativity, and wholeness of self.
• Professional work-life-balance coaching, relationship matters, and gravitation toward mindful and meaningful life experiences are encouraged.

For Older Adults & Their Families

• Consultation and neuro-cognitive assessments for older adults as appropriate.
• Particular expertise in well-being and successful aging, as well as providing care to people with profiles of neurological decline including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, stroke, fall recovery, palliative processes, and emotional needs in later age.

Training & Education

Dr. Bender has a wealth of academic and practical experience in geropsychology, and has gained invaluable insights and understandings into the emotional health and wellbeing of her clients - from preschool years through centenarians - with thoughtful and meaningful interactions with them. She is delighted to bring that wealth of experience and effectiveness to her private practice.

Dr. Bender is an enthusiastic and loving parent of two. Her social interests include reading, music, walking, enjoying nature, and traveling. Dr. Bender continuously enriches her skill sets through ongoing professional training and academic pursuits.