Who are we?

Mother Baby Connections, a specialty service of the Drexel Psychological Services Center, is the only intensive outpatient program of its kind in the Philadelphia area. Our program offers individual and group therapies to assist mothers and to help them feel better about being with their babies and partners.

We are dedicated to supporting mothers so that they do not suffer in silence. The program strives to train new mental health professionals and conduct research to find the best ways to help pregnant and postpartum mothers achieve well-being.

Who do we help?

The Mother Baby Connections program helps mothers who are pregnant, or have given birth within the last year, who are feeling stressed, depressed or anxious.

How does the program work?

Mother Baby Connections helps mothers to:

• Learn about their new role and how to cope with stress 
• Learn how to talk to others about what they need to be successful
• Connect with other mothers, so they don’t feel alone 
• Learn how to relax and feel better

Program provided online via telehealth with the option for in-person services.

Infant care givers are available during treatment so that mothers can focus on their therapy.

What kinds of treatment do we offer?

Mothers are supported with individual and group therapies, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Mother-baby Interaction Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Infant Massage
• Women’s Wellness
• Yoga, Breath Awareness, Meditation, Deep Relaxation
• Referrals for Medication Management
• Trauma-focused Therapy (if needed)

We use different treatments, backed by science, that are designed to guide mothers who feel stressed, depressed or anxious. We assist mothers in bonding with their babies and families. Group therapy gives mothers a safe space to talk with other mothers who share similar concerns. Mothers may also receive referrals for medication as appropriate.

Meet our program leaders

The Mother Baby Connections program is led by Dr. Pamela Geller, Dr. June Andrews Horowitz, and Dr. Mona Elgohail.

Research Publications

Sodowick, L. B., Hartman, A. R., & Geller, P. A. (2023). The Benefits of Housing Intensive Outpatient Programs in Psychology Training Clinics through the Lens of Drexel University’s Mother Baby Connections Program. APTC Bulletin, 20.

Posmontier, B., Geller, P. A., Horowitz, J. A., Elgohail, M., & Chiarello, L. (2022). Intensive Perinatal Mental Health Programs in the United States: A Call to Action. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), 73(8), 930–932. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100384

Grunberg, V. A., Geller, P. A., Durham, K., Bonacquisti, A., & Barkin, J. L. (2022). Motherhood and Me (Mom-Me): The Development of an Acceptance-Based Group for Women with Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Symptoms. Journal of clinical medicine, 11(9), 2345. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11092345

Elgohail, M., & Geller, P. A. (2021). The power of touch: Benefits of infant massage for infants and their parents. Neonatology Today, 16(5), 73–76. https://doi.org/10.51362/neonatology.today/202151657376b

2019 — Horowitz, J.A., Posmontier, B., Chiarello, L., Geller, P. A.; "Introducing mother-baby interaction therapy for mothers with postpartum depression and their infants," Archives of Psychiatric Nursing 33(3), 225-231.

2018 — Geller, P. A., Posmontier, B., Horowitz, J. A, Bonacquisti, A., Chiarello, L.; "Introducing Mother Baby Connections: A model of intensive perinatal mental health outpatient programming," J Behav Med. 41(5), 600-613.