Caregivers and their young children are referred to CERS clinicians for a variety of reasons: a new parent may be confronting the challenges of an unresolved history of loss; a baby may be particularly difficult to soothe; or a parent may be coping with significant stress or overwhelming life events even as they begin their parenting journey.

Whatever the origin, our focus on the developing parent-child relationship is supported by significant research showing that babies need safe, secure relationships to build a solid foundation for future learning and social-emotional well-being.

We offer individual and group clinical services. We also complete parent consultations for families with a new baby to support the transition.

To learn more or make a referral, call us at 781-693-1200 or email CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org.

Fill out our self-referral form to connect with our services

Families with Infants/Toddlers Experiencing Stress or Trauma

We offer evidence-based therapeutic interventions through our Early Connections/Connexiones Tempranas (EC/CT) program (for which we also offer a Spanish version) that are focused on supporting the relationships of young children and their parents for families who have experienced trauma, multiple stressors, or loss. Our parent-child clinicians offer treatment in the home or office with a goal of fostering nurturing and resilient parent-child relationships, including:

• Child-parent psychotherapy (CPP) to help families heal from traumatic stress and build resilience
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for children 3-5 who have experienced a traumatic event and are showing symptoms of post-traumatic stress 
• Circle of Security parenting groups to support parents' understanding of their child's emotional needs (To watch a brief video about these groups, click here) 
• Dual provider support to help families connect to their communities, natural supports, and available resources to meet concrete needs.

Parents and Caregivers Experiencing Perinatal Mood Challenges

CERS clinicians are trained in perinatal and early childhood mental health treatment, offering parent-infant or parent-child therapy to improve depression, reduce anxiety, and help with feelings of connection between parents and their little ones. We offer:

• Parent-child therapy to address postpartum depression or anxiety, perinatal mood disorders, and related stressors in the home, by telehealth, or in our Waltham office.
• This weekly support group for parents suffering from postpartum depression, anxiety, and other emotional complications. It provides parents with a nurturing environment to talk about their experiences.

Families with Premature or Fragile Newborns

The Oliver, Ian, and Serenity Wolk Fragile Beginnings program offers telehealth, home visits, and a parent support group for families with a child who has spent time in the NICU. Services include:

• In-home or virtual support from a clinician who will offer therapeutic support, parental guidance in understanding their unique babies, and connections to other JF&CS and community resources.
• This group provides an opportunity for parents to connect with other parents who have shared similar experiences and concerns. 

Families with Infants or Toddlers Impacted by Substance Misuse

Project NESST®, a site of FIRST Steps Together, supports parenting people in recovery from substance use and families parenting a substance-exposed infant or young child. Services may include:

• Parent-child therapy sessions in the home, office, or community
• Mothering from the Inside Out (MIO), a 12-week intervention for parents whose children may or may not be in their care, offered in person or virtually
• Recovery support and case management services from a Maternal Recovery Specialist who can offer connections to community resources, including recovery services
• Consultation to address a baby’s unique development, sleep, and feeding needs, including calming and soothing strategies such as infant massage
• Group-based connection with other parents facilitated by our Maternal Recovery Specialists

Referrals for Our Clinical/Therapy Programs

Our services are non-sectarian and our intake process helps to determine the appropriate services for each client. In-home services are available within communities that surround Boston and Waltham; telehealth is available state-wide.

To make a referral or for more information, contact our CERS Intake line: call 781-693-1200 or email CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org.

Fill out our self-referral form to connect with our services