Boston Services for Trauma And Resources for families (STAR)
Boston STAR –Boston Services for Trauma and Resources for families (STAR) –is a program dedicated to providing mental health services to Boston Medical Center patients from birth to 17 years old who have experienced traumatic events. We provide evidence-based trauma treatment that is individualized for each patient’s needs, challenges, strengths, and goals. Our team works closely with children and adolescents, their families, and the social environment such as schools and community supports to strengthen and enhance supports and reduce trauma symptoms to improve overall well-being.
Treatment through Boston STAR may occur via telehealth or in-person at Boston Medical Center, as clinically appropriate and accessible to the family, and can include referrals for additional clinical supports as indicated.
Treatments and Services
Psychotherapy: The Boston STAR team utilizes evidence based treatment for childhood trauma, including Trauma Systems Therapy (TST). TST is a well-researched and highly flexible approach to trauma treatment that is individualized to fit each patient’s needs, strengths, challenges, and goals. Treatment focuses on understanding a child’s in the moment responses and working closely with the child’s family and environments (home, school, and community) to support new and more adaptive coping. Your child’s clinician will spend time with your child, as well as with you and in communication with others who know your child well, to gain a deep understanding of what supports and strategies may work best for your child, and will support you and your child together as you move through treatment.
Medication: Every child reacts to trauma differently. There may be instances in which medication is needed to support the child/adolescent. Child and adolescent psychiatrist will evaluate by speaking to the child/adolescent, therapist, and anyone else who works with the family and child/adolescent in order to make the best recommendation for medication.
Contact Us
Call Nicole Ciccone, LICSW, Program Director, at (617) 414-3820 or email us at BostonSTAR@bmc.org for questions about the Boston STAR program including:
- Rescheduling an appointment
- Directions to our offices
- Hearing more about any of the services we provide
- Other questions about the program
Boston STAR Team:
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Nicole Ciccone, LICSW Project Director, Boston Service for Trauma and Resources for families Behavioral Health Clinician, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinical Supervisor, Adult and Child Psychiatry |
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Sarah Valentine, PhD Principal Investigator, Boston Services for Trauma and Resources for families Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Director, Program of Research in Implementation Science, Minority Stress, and Mental Health (PRISMM) Director, The Recovery from Stress and Trauma through Outpatient care, Research, and Education (RESTORE) Center |
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Ashley Jackson, LICSW Boston STAR Trauma Specialist, Boston Services for Trauma and Resources for families Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinical, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
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Liza Katz, LICSW Boston STAR Trauma Specialist, Boston Services for Trauma and Resources for families Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinical, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
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Lillian Gomes, BA
Cultural broker and Community Healthcare Worker, Boston Services for Trauma and Resources for families |
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Jean-Louise Reichman, MA Project Evaluator, Boston Services for Trauma and Resources for families Research Program Coordinator, Department of Psychiatry |
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Nandini Agarwal, MPH Project Evaluator, Boston Services for Trauma and Resources for families Research Data Analyst, Department of Psychiatry |
Patient Resources
- What is Child Trauma? Read more about it here.
- Understanding Child Trauma- Read about it here.
- Signs of Trauma in Children– Read the article here.
- Children’s Mental Health: PTSD– Learn more about PTSD in children here.
Boston STAR is made possible through:
