Effective therapeutic intervention can help address the immediate and long-term adverse social, emotional, developmental, and health outcomes that victims of child abuse and exploitation may suffer. Family members also may benefit from mental health services so they have the capacity to support the child's recovery, provide ongoing protection, and address the stress the entire family may experience following a child's disclosure.
The Middlesex CAC encourages all victims and non-offending family members to seek evidence-based, trauma-focused mental health treatment services. The victim witness advocate will provide you with a list of referrals tailored to your clinical, financial, geographic, linguistic, and cultural needs. The VWA also can assist you apply for the Victim Compensation Fund that may reimburse you for out-of-pocket crime-related expenses, including mental health treatment.
See below for a list of referrals for mental health services in your community.
Greater Lowell
Arbour Counseling Services10 Bridge Street, Lowell, MA 01852
978.453.5736
www.arbourhealth.comServices available in English & Spanish
For all ages. Provides evaluation, crisis stabilization, & treatment for patients with mental illness, dual diagnosis & addictions
The Centre for Hope and Healing144 Merrimack Street, Suite 304, Lowell, MA 01852
978.452.7721
www.chhinc.org24-hour hotline: 800.542.5212All services are free
Services available in English, Spanish, Khmer & Portuguese
Counseling, medical advocacy, legal services, groups for women, adolescents, men & LGBTQ
Center for Family Development45 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01853
978.459.2306
www.cosicounseling.com/lowell.htmlDiagnostic evaluations, individual family & couples therapy, psychiatric assessments & psychological testing
Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell99 Church Street, Lowell, MA 01852
978.937.3000 Intake: 978.452.1015
www.mhalowell.orgServices provided in English, Spanish & Portuguese
Eastern Middlesex
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center99 Bishop Allen Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139
www.barcc.org24-hour Hotline: 800.841.8371All services are free; VOCA-funded
Services available in English, Spanish & Haitian Creole
Counseling, medical advocacy, legal services, groups & case management for ages 12+
Victims of Violence ProgramCambridge Health Alliance
26 Central Street, Somerville, MA 02143
617.591.6360
www.cha.harvard.edu/vov/vov.shtmlAfter hours and urgent matters: 1-877-785-2020
All services are free; VOCA-fundedServices available in multiple languages
For all ages. Provides child & adolescent outpatient psychiatry. Comprehensive mental health services for crime victims and crime victimized communities. Adult outpatient trauma clinic.
Group therapy available for adult survivors of childhood abuse & domestic violence. Groups also available for parents, partners, siblings & children of murdered family members.
*Multiple locations also available
The Guidance Center5 Sacramento Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
617.354.2275 Referral Line: 617-284-5131
www.guidancectr.orgServices available in English & Spanish
* 3 locations--call main reception for call to be directed to appropriate service
Metrowest
Advocates Community Counseling27 Hollis Street, Framingham, MA 01702
508.485.9300
www.advocatesinc.orgCrisis line: 800- 640-5432Services available in English, Spanish & Portuguese
Children's Charter Trauma Clinic77 Rumford Avenue, Waltham, MA 02453
781.894.4307 (Intake ext. 20)
www.key.org/childrencharter.aspAccepts MA Victims of Violent Crime Compensation, MassHealth, Blue Cross & select private insurances. Limited self-pay program available.Services available in English & Spanish
Trauma, sex abuse, juvenile offender, parenting & comprehensive family evaluations. Risk assessments, psychological testing, play, art, individual, family & group therapy
Framingham Psychiatric Counseling Associates63 Fountain Street, Suite 402, Framingham, MA 01702
508.872.4813
www.framinghampsych.com* Not all clinicians are providers for all insurance
Elliot Community Health Center186 Bedford Street, Lexington, MA 02420
781.861.0890
www.eliotchs.orgCrisis Services: 800-988-1111
MassHealth & most private insurance plans. A sliding fee scale is available for those who do not have insuranceServices available in English, Spanish & Haitian Creole
24/7 psychiatric emergency services, crisis stabilization, addiction services, in-home therapy, therapeutic mentoring, early intervention services for children, community outreach, case management & residential
Wayside Youth and Family Support Network75 Fountain Street
Framingham, MA 01702
508.879.9800
www.waysideyouth.org24 Hour Confidential Hotline 800-511-5070
Trauma services are free. Accepts MA Victims of Violent Crime Compensation. Fee for other services*8 locations. Please call main office.
Boston Area
Casa Myrna- SafeLinkPO Box 180019, Boston, MA 02118
617.521.0100
www.casamyrna.org/safelink-home/SafeLink Hotline: 877.785.2020
All services are freeServices available in more than 130 languages
Statewide 24/7 domestic violence hotline
Massachusetts General Hospital- Department of Psychiatry55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114
Child Intake – 617.726.2725
Children and the Law – 617.585.7440
www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/Must be within MassGeneral’s catchment
Must be referred by primary care physician or MassGeneral specialist
Center for Effective Child Therapy53 Parker Hill Avenue, Boston, MA 02120
617.278.4288 Intake: 617.278.4288
www.jbcc.harvard.edu/Does not work directly with insurance
Provides behavioral parent training to parents with children 2-19 years of age showing oppositional behaviors
Riverside Trauma Center255 Highland Avenue, Needham
781.433.0672 Intake: 781.433.0672
Trauma Centre 24/7 line: 888.851.2451www.riversidetraumacenter.orgNo fee for Trauma Services
Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI)989 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215-1308
617.779.2146
www.suffolkcac.orgVOCA-fundedServices provided in English & Spanish.
For Spanish, call Catalina Perez at 857.334.4522.
Short-term trauma intervention for child abuse victims ages 7-18 & their caregivers. Services provided by CAC.
Rape Crisis Centers (CTTC)
www.mass.gov/service-details/rape-crisis-centers
Rape Crisis Centers offer free services for adolescent and adult sexual assault survivors and for people who care about survivors of all ages. The website above provides contact information for local programs with rape crisis counselors across the Commonwealth.
Rape crisis counselors provide the following services: hotline counseling, information, and referral; will go with survivors to hospitals and/or police stations; will go with a survivor to court; will provide one-to-one counseling and support group counseling; and provide primary prevention education, professional training, and outreach.
Problematic Sexual Behavior
It is important for families to obtain support and treatment when their child engages in sexual behaviors that are beyond typical childhood sexual play and impact the safety or well-being of their child or other children. Learn more here.
Problematic Sexual Behavior Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT) is an evidence-based therapy offered to children ages 7-12. PSB-CBT can help children and families work together to improve affective and cognitive coping skills, develop and practice self-control strategies, develop and practice social skills, and increase empathy and understanding of the impact of behavior on others. Please contact the following providers if you are interested in PSB-CBT for your child:
Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk CountyCatalina Perez, Director of Mental Health & Advocacy: 857-344-4522
CAC of Suffolk CountyAll services are free; no insurance needed
Worcester County and Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc.855-496-8462
E-mail: centralreferral@youinc.org
Insurance required
Berkshire County Kid's PlaceBerkshire County Kid's Place413-499-2800
Children's Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin AreaSamantha Staelens, Case Manager: 413-772-9069
CAC of Franklin County and North Quabbin Area