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, as well as babies and 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:
- Perinatal mental health
- Infant mental health and development
- Parenting children with special health care needs
- Reproductive and perinatal psychiatry
- Perinatal, neonatal, and infant loss
- Trauma and coping
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.
We offer a variety of individual services to meet the unique needs of each family we support.
- 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 (service only available in person) 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):
- Transitioning from hospital to home
- 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
- Medication consultation
- 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
The CHILD (Caring for High-Risk Infants Long-Term Development) Connections Clinic is a team of trained clinicians dedicated to providing high-quality developmental assessment and evidence-based parenting interventions for young children with complex medical histories and/or NICU admissions.
Services We Provide:
- Developmental evaluations for children at increased risk for developmental-behavioral disorders due to prematurity or complex medical conditions to help parents understand how a child is doing developmentally compared to other children their age.
- Parenting consultation and support interventions based on evaluation results.
Whom We Serve:
- Children age 12-42 months who...
- Were born < 35 weeks and/or...
- With medical complications and/or...
- Were hospitalized in the first year of life for at least one month
Contact Us!
- For more information, click here to view our flyer
- To receive a telephone screening, contact us at 303-724-3554.
We accept Medicaid and commercial insurance plans.
We offer therapy groups for:
- Women with high-risk pregnancies
- Mothers and babies after NICU discharge
- Women who have experienced loss in the second or third trimester
Our Connections Program clinicians host peer discussion groups for individuals seeking connection and support from others who have experienced similar challenges.
Groups are currently on hold, however information will be updated here when the decision is made to resume.
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.
In the News
Pandemic Boosts Mood Disorder Risk in Vulnerable NICU Parents
CU psychiatry program, nonprofit groups combine efforts in supporting families during doubly difficult time