The Center for Early Relationship Support® offers clinical services in a group setting for parents. Led by experienced clinicians, these therapeutic groups provide parents with a nurturing environment to talk about their experiences and learn from one another. Some parents attend group-based treatment only, while others benefit from both group and individual support – we invite parents to explore what feels right to them. Our groups are generously supported by grant and philanthropic dollars and are offered at no cost. 

Parents will need to pre-register and complete a brief intake with our clinicians to ensure their needs are a good fit for what the group can offer.  

Clinical Group Offerings

“This Isn’t What I Expected”: Navigating Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and Other Emotional Complications

For: Parents of children up to one year old 
Time: 8 consecutive Thursdays: April 30–June 18 from 12–1 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom 

Register: Please contact us at CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-1200. 

This eight-week support group is an opportunity for parents who are suffering from postpartum depression, anxiety, and other emotional complications to share their experiences and connect with other parents in a nurturing environment. This FREE support group is open to the entire community. 

The Center for Early Relationship Support provides services designed to meet the many complex needs of families in the first three years of their child’s life. Our services are grounded in the knowledge that nurturing parental strengths within a caring community promotes secure infant-parent attachments. Enrolling families now! 

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Circle of Security Parenting

For: Parents and caregivers of children aged 0-5
Time: 8 consecutive Fridays: April 24–June 12 from 9–10:30 a.m.
Location: Online via Zoom 

Register: Please contact us at CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-1200. 

Does your child (0-5 year of age) sometimes behave in ways that make you feel angry, sad, ashamed, or uncomfortable? Do you feel at times lost or without a clue about what your child might need from you? 

Circle of Security is a free parenting support group that can help you better understand what your child needs in these moments and how to best respond. Enrolling families now!

Participants receive a $20 gift card after completing a closing interview. This group is being offered in English for Massachusetts residents.

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Circle of Security Parenting for Caregivers in Recovery

For: Caregivers in recovery
Time: 8 consecutive Wednesdays; April 29–June 17 from 9:30–11 a.m.
Location: Online via Zoom 

Register: Please contact us at CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-1200.

Does your child sometimes behave in ways that make you feel angry, sad, ashamed, or confused? 

Circle of Security is a free parenting support group that can help you better understand what your child needs in these moments and how to best respond. 

This group will include a focus on the particular challenges of parenting in recovery.

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Fragile Beginnings Circle of Security Parenting

For: Parents of premature infants or whose babies have spent time in the NICU
Time: 8 consecutive Thursdays; April 23–June 11 from 9–10:30 a.m.
Location: Online via Zoom 

Register: Please contact us at CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-1200. 

The Oliver, Ian, and Serenity Wolk Fragile Beginnings program is committed to improving the lives of parents of premature infants and other infants who have had a stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). 

Circle of Security Parenting offers a relationship-based approach to help you better understand and respond to your baby's needs. This free support group will also provide special attention to the unique challenges faced by parents of premature infants or those whose babies have spent time in the NICU, acknowledging the early experiences and stressors that can influence your baby’s development and emotional needs.

Participants receive a $20 gift card after completing a closing interview.

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Mothering Without a Model

For: Mothers of young children 
Time: 60-minute weekly sessions 
Duration: 7 consecutive weeks on Zoom 

Register: Please contact us at CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-1200. 

This support group offers an opportunity for mothers of young children to explore ways in which the absence of a positive maternal presence in their lives has impacted them as mothers. This is a ‘closed’ group, meaning parents join at the beginning and are asked to make a commitment to all 7 sessions. 

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Mothering After Mother Loss 

For: Mothers of young children 
Time: 60-minute weekly sessions 
Duration: 5 consecutive weeks on Zoom 

Register: Please contact us at CERSIntake@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-1200.

This support group offers an opportunity for mothers of young children to explore how the loss and absence of a mother influences one’s own parenting experience. This is a ‘closed’ group, meaning parents join at the beginning and are asked to make a commitment to all 5 sessions.

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