JFS MetroWest offers a variety of services to support the emotional well-being of children, teens and parents. We provide several types of psychotherapy, including: individual and family therapy, play therapy, and specialized therapies for children exposed to trauma. We also provide preschool services, counseling and assistance for children with learning differences and special needs, as well as support groups and workshops.
Services are delivered by a highly trained staff of licensed social workers and clinicians specializing in child and adolescent development.
If you are experiencing a crisis or psychiatric emergency, please click here for a list of resources.
Click on the links below to learn more about our Child and Adolescent Services.
Counseling Services
At the JFS MetroWest Maslow Family Counseling Center, we address the mental health needs of each child from birth to young adulthood.
Licensed clinicians, with expertise in normative child development, offer a variety of services to treat a range of mental health issues and concerns relevant to young children. JFS clinicians can help school aged children reduce fears and worry less, learn to cope with depression, improve listening skills, learn to more easily make friends, and address bullying and many other common challenges.
Ruth Sagner Center For Family Play Therapy
Play therapy uses play to communicate with and help children express their feelings and emotions in an age appropriate manner. The Ruth Sagner Center for Play Therapy at JFS MetroWest is a state-of-the-art venue for children and their families which provides a safe space for children: View details here
- express anxiety, anger, and sadness
- practice problem solving skills
- build social skills
- learn activities that strengthen self-esteem and stimulate creativity
First STEPS Preschool Services
First STEPS Preschool Services are tailored to meet the unique needs of children up to age five, their families, and their teachers.
Our specialized clinical social work staff is available to observe a child at the request of a teacher or a parent and to develop a plan through a team approach. Tailored services for preschool children with special needs are also offered through First STEPS.
First STEPS also offers mother and baby support groups, customized consultations, and teacher trainings.
School Consultations
If a child exhibits behavioral problems in the classroom, or if a student’s grades begin to decline, JFSMetroWest’s school-based services can help.
A JFS child and adolescent clinician can observe children in the classroom who are experiencing academic and behavioral problems, provide teacher consultations, and conduct in-service training for teachers and school staff. When indicated, JFS can work with the school to meet with the parents of children and discuss educational and behavioral plans, resource room issues, enrichment, remediation, psychological testing, and/or Child Study Team evaluations.
Trauma / Rachel Coalition Children’s Services
JFS child and adolescent clinicians have expertise in assisting children and adolescents who have experienced a traumatic event.
Trauma includes:
- Child abuse and neglect
- Sexual abuse
- Children living in homes with high conflict relationships
- School/community violence
- Natural disasters
- Death of a loved one
- Serious illness
Symptoms of trauma vary by age. Click to view signs of trauma by age
Pre School children may:
- Feel helpless and uncertain
- Fear separation from parent/caregiver
- Begin to cry more
- Have a decreased appetite
- Wet their beds more
- Regress in language development
- Act out trauma in play
- Show signs of stunted development
- Display significant changes in behaviors
Elementary School children may:
- Become anxious and fearful
- Worry about their own or others’ safety
- Become clingy with parents, caregivers, or teacher
- Feel guilt or shame
- Have difficulty focusing
- Fear recurrence of traumatic event
- Experience sleep disruption
- Decrease school performance
Adolescents may:
- Feel alone and depressed
- Develop self-harming behaviors
- Start using or abusing drugs and/or alcohol
- Feel different from everyone
- Report no feelings regarding traumatic event
Children With Learning Differences and Special Needs
JFS MetroWest provides resources for children with learning, behavioral, physical, developmental, neurological, and emotional challenges.
Services Include
- Information & referral
- Navigating the public & private systems of care & advocating for your child
- Planning & coordination of services
- Support groups & workshops for parents and siblings
- Social skills groups
