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Outpatient Parenting Groups

Expanding access to services beyond individual therapy, The Brookline Center’s network of group therapy programs is creating new pathways to mental health support for overwhelmed parents. “Our parenting groups are designed to meet families’ needs with a variety of approaches, allowing parents to find the support that resonates most—whether they’re looking for practical, strategic skills, or a more self-reflective process that explores how their own upbringing shapes their parenting style,” says Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jessica Stern. 

The wellbeing of parents is essential to raising healthy families. In a recent advisory, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy highlighted the urgent need for more mental health support for parents and caregivers. An alarming 41 percent of parents reported that “most days they are so stressed they cannot function” and 48 percent said that “most days their stress is completely overwhelming.” Prolonged stress can significantly impact a parent’s mental health, which, in turn, affects the health of their families and increases the risk of anxiety and depression for their children.  

Community support is an important aspect of the Center’s parenting groups. Outpatient Clinician and Child and Adolescent Group Program Manager Erin Wagner explains, “When caregivers don’t have the space to share challenges in their lives when it comes to parenting—especially when there is fear of judgment, or it feels as if nobody else can relate—it leads to feelings of isolation. Our parenting groups are an intentional space of connection and shared experience that combat isolation with belonging and support.” 

When parents receive support, the whole family experiences its ripple effects. For instance, in the Center’s Supportive Parenting of Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE)™ program, parents learn techniques to adjust their response to their child’s anxiety, which in turn helps reduce the child’s anxiety levels. Similarly, our Circle of Security® Parenting™ (COSP) supports caregivers in creating secure relationships with their children. Parents work to understand their child’s emotional world by learning to read their emotional needs, supporting their child’s ability to successfully manage emotions, and enhancing their child’s self-esteem.  

“Programs like Circle of Security Parenting are particularly effective, focusing on primary prevention—helping parents address challenges early—rather than waiting for a crisis to develop,” says Dr. Stern.