Clinical Services

The Connections Program for High-Risk Infants and Families offers clinical services to women with high-risk pregnancies who have an unborn baby with (or at high risk of being born with) medical complications, parents of newborn babies with medical complications including babies with a prolonged stay in the NICU, parents coping with the loss of a baby, and babies as well as young children born with medical complications. Although services are centered around promoting optimal outcomes for the baby/young child born with medical complications, they are intended to support the well-being of the whole family. 

Our interdisciplinary team of behavioral health providers has expertise in

1. addressing the challenges of parenting a baby with medical complications by supporting healthy coping in parents,
2. promoting optimal long-term developmental, behavioral, and medical outcomes in babies with medical complications by fostering positive parent-infant interactions, and
3. helping parents cope with the loss of a baby. In addition to providing inpatient services at the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital to pregnant women during prolonged hospital stays and to infants and families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the Connections Program offers outpatient services to women, infants, and families from anywhere in Colorado, regardless of where they receive inpatient medical care.
   

Those interested in receiving outpatient services through the Connections Program should call the Women’s Behavioral Health and Wellness Line at 303-724-1646 or email WBHW@cuanschutz.edu. These services are available to patients across Colorado and most services can be accessed virtually via telehealth. We accept Medicaid and most health insurance plans.  

Therapy groups are available for:

• Women with high-risk pregnancies
• Mothers with a baby in the NICU
• Mothers and babies after NICU discharge

Individual services:

• Psychotherapy is available to treat anxiety and depression in women and men with a diagnosed anxiety or depressive disorder using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT)
• Biofeedback* is available to help manage physiological reactions to stress during and after pregnancy
• Parenting support is available to parents of young children born with medical conditions (ages 0-5 years):
  • Interact with their child to promote optimal development
  • Read and respond to their child’s cues
  • Engage in developmentally appropriate activities
  • Address challenging behaviors, including difficulties with sleep and tantrums
• Developmental and behavioral assessment and consultation are available to determine how children born with medical complications are doing at age two and to provide additional support if needed 

*service only available in person

Facilitated peer discussions:

Connections program clinicians host a series of peer discussion groups for individuals seeking connection and support from others who have experienced similar challenges.  These groups are held for women/couples who have experienced late pregnancy loss, women/couples who have experienced newborn loss, and fathers of high-risk infants.  The flyers for each of these, with the corresponding registration links are below:

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do you accept Medicaid? Yes. We accept all Colorado Medicaid and some out-of-state Medicaid plans.
• Do you accept private insurance? Yes. We accept most major commercial insurance plans. 
• Do you offer telehealth services? Yes. The majority of our services are offered in person and via telehealth.
• Do I need a referral? No. We accept both provider referrals and self-referrals. 
• Are services only available for mothers? No. We offer services to support all family members. 
• Should I bring my infant to the visit? You’re welcome to bring your infant, but it is not required. For the mother-baby group after NICU discharge, we do request that your infant attend the group with you.