About Dawn Ellis
Hi, I am Dawn Ellis, licensed clinical social worker of 26 years. I have facilitated support groups for pregnancy and early parenting for over 11 years. Witnessing and holding space for women as they navigate the transitions of motherhood is a passion that I feel deep in my bones. My pregnancy and early parenting group work is informed through the lens of matrescence, which is a holistic view of a woman's unique journey into motherhood.
Creating welcoming, non-judgemental, safe spaces where taboos can be discussed, examining structures that no longer serve us, and fostering deep friendships is what I do really well. Mothers leave my groups feeling empowered, validated, refueled and with a lasting community of true friends.
It isn’t just my charming sense of humor that keeps mamas coming back. Women feel comfortable with me and return to my support groups with their subsequent children because I am compassionate, curious, non-judgemental and truly feel that there is no right way to experience pregnancy or motherhood. The only right way is your way and I am here to help you discover what that is.
It is a privilege to be a witness to women as they transition through the rite of passage of motherhood. I am honored to be able to provide a safe container for women to examine their changing identities, learn about themselves as mothers, transform, gain confidence and create a lasting community.
In my own life I am a mother of three, wife and daughter. My love language is spiritual and personal growth and those play a big part in how I prepare for and show up in my work. In addition to my social work training, I am a reiki master and an ordained interfaith minister. I currently facilitate new moon women’s gatherings in my community which offer a space for women to reflect, connect with the seasons and set intentions for the month ahead.
Groups are in person and located at
70 Wells Avenue, Newton
Mama To Be Support Group
SECOND & THIRD TRIMESTER
Come join our community of women expecting their first baby. Bring the questions and concerns that aren't covered in books or in the brief visits with your doctor as we explore together. Our group is a space to explore your transition into motherhood, gather resources, learn self-care techniques, and make friendship that will carry through into motherhood. 4 week group.
New Mama, New Baby Support Group
(NEWBORN-4 MONTHS)
Learn about the important developments your baby is experiencing in the early days and months of infancy. Join with other parents to create a place and time to explore all your questions and concerns. An honest environment to discuss all the amazing and not so amazing transitions into parenthood. Create a lasting support group of friends with babies the same age as yours. Gain the confidence that you can do it! 7 week group.
2nd Time or More Support Group
(NEWBORN-6 MONTHS)
Delight in alone time with your newest addition in this group especially for second and third time parents. Get the support you need, refresh your developmental knowledge, discuss the dynamics of your growing family, and make new friends. 7 week group.
Special Events
Afternoon Adventurers
6 MONTHS - 36 MONTHS
Looking to get out of the house in the afternoons? Join us for an engaging circle time with songs, stories and parachute play. Planned activities allow for socialization and exploration.
Tuesdays, 2/25, 3/25, 4/8, 4/29, 5/6, 5/20
4:00pm - 4:45pm​​​​​
Couples Workshop
Join John Carr and Dawn Ellis in this workshop for first time parents. The purpose of the group will be to give new parents a chance to talk about their experiences adjusting to parenthood, to find common ground, decrease isolation, receive tips and resources, and to build community.
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Babies are welcome
Saturday, February 15 from 10:00am - 11:30am
Music with Thomas!
3 MONTHS - 5 YEARS
School is Out but Thomas is In!
​Enjoy guitar-driven live music, engaging songs, real instruments, dancing, laugh-out-loud story-telling, and a bundle of positive energy for a super fun music experience for you and your little one.
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Wednesday, February 19 from 10:00-10:45am or 11:00-11:45am
Tiny Talkers
9 MONTHS - 3 YEARS
Develop and enhance your child's early learning and social skills through songs, books and interactive play. Learn techniques on how to get your little one communicating. Progress from gestures, to sounds, to words. Led by an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist and mom of two toddlers, Gillian Cohen, MA CCC-SLP/TSSLD
Drop In Classes, 2/5, 2/12
Free Drop In Class, 2/26
7 Week Series, Wednesdays, March 5 - April 16
10:00am - 10:45am
11:00am - 11:45am
Burn and Build
Join us for a 45-minute workout designed to get your heart pumping and your body moving! This high-energy, fast-paced circuit class features squats, burpees, pushups, and more, guaranteed to leave you feeling accomplished—and maybe a little sore the next day. Perfect for all fitness levels, whether you’re a beginner, a new parent getting back into exercise, or a seasoned fitness enthusiast. Come sweat, have fun, and challenge yourself!
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Solo moms or moms with non-crawling babies.
​Fridays, February 7 and 28, from 9:00am - 9:45am​
February 14 (Galentine's Special), from 9:00am - 9:45am​
February 21 (free trial classes for first time clients) choose 9:30am or 10:30am
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Bracelet Making with GoldieLev
Join Sam Pace from GoldieLev to create an adorable mom stack. Meet other mamas and enjoy some creative time with your little one. All materials, instruction, and creative inspiration is provided. Price includes 3 bracelets. Mamas of all stage and babies are welcome.
Friday, February 28 12:00pm-2:00pm
Feeding Support Group with Latched at First Sight, FREE
Join lactation consultant, Danielle Donovan from Latched at First Sight for feeding support. Come for community, to ask questions and to get the support you need.
All types of feeding welcome (breast, bottle or combo pump and breast).
Friday, March 14
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Dad's Meetup
0- 12 MONTHS
Join John Carr, LICSW, parent specialist/educator and author of “Becoming a Dad: The First Three Years,” for a casual get together. Bring your baby or come solo to meet other dads, socialize and create a community of dad friends.
​Saturday, March 15
10:00-11:30am
Infant and Child CPR
This course will teach you the skills of CPR and foreign body airway obstruction for an infant and child. This hands-on class is taught by a Certified Red Cross Instructor. You will be practicing the life-saving techniques.
Saturday, March 29 from 10:00am-12:00pm or
12:30pm-2:30pm​
Baby Mixer, FREE
NEWBORN - 1 YEAR
Open play. Come to socialize and meet other caregivers with your baby. There will be tummy time set ups for babies and coffee, teas and snacks for you. All feeding, diapering and soothing is welcome.
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Thursday, February 13, 1:30pm-2:30pm​​​​
Monday, February 24, 1:30pm-2:30pm
Pregnancy and Postpartum Meetup, FREE
Come out to meet other women that are expecting or postpartum. We will be hosting pelvic floor therapist, Maggie Curtis, PT DPT, from Girl Fit Physical Therapy. Maggie is the director of Pelvic Floor Health and specializes in working with women during pregancy and postpartum. Bring all your pelvic floor questions and socialize with others in the community.
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Babies are welcome
Thursday, February 27, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Nurturing Neurodivergence Together:
A support group for moms of neurodivergent children.
This group provides a supportive, non judgemental, neurodiversity affirming environment where mothers can connect, share, and uplift one another. Whether your child has autism, ADHD, a genetic disorder, or any type of delay in their development, this group is for you. We understand the unique highs and lows of this path, and are here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Topics in the group may include the diagnosis process, IEPs and related services, challenging behaviors, parental self-care, mental load, extended family relationships, neurodiversity acceptance, and any other topics that are of interest to group members. This group will be geared toward parents of children in preschool and elementary school, but all ages are welcome.
Maximum of 8 people in the group.
6 week group
Free Drop In, April 1, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Tuesdays, April 8 - May 20 (skip 4/22), 7:00pm - 8:30pm​
Development and Desserts, FREE
Join Dr. Jessica Gashin from Newton Neuropsychology Group. Join fellow baby and toddler parents and caregivers to learn about development, signs of developmental concerns and where to go for help and support.
Marlene Schlesinger, facilitor of Nurturing Neurodiversity Together group will be at the event to answer questions as well.
Tuesday, March 11 from 6:45pm- 7:45pm
Heart Opening Somatic Breathwork: A Wintering Within Journey
This workshop will have a special focus on wintering and finding comfort in these dark, cold days. We will do this via a combination of somatic breathwork and energy healing, which can be the fastest and most powerful way to move stuck energy out of your body. Come with an open mind and be ready to experience a powerful shift.
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Mondays, February 10 and 24 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Women's Circle
Join this welcoming group for women of all ages and life stages. An authentic space to connect, reflect and set intentions for the month ahead through journaling and discussion. Leave feeling grounded, grateful and focused for the month ahead.
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Sundays, February 23, March 23, April 27, May 25
from 7:00-8:30pm
Reset and Renewal
Open to women of all ages and stages. Stephanie Javaheri and Dawn Ellis will work together in this workshop with intentional breath work, mindful movement, gentle yoga, Reiki and meditation. A welcome nervous system reset that will leave you feeling nourished, grounded and renewed.
Sundays, 2/2, 3/2, 4/6, 5/18
4:00pm - 5:15pm
Location, 70 Wells Avenue, Newton
Refund Policy
We do not offer refunds for missed classes but will do our best to accommodate you in an alternative class that works. While we will do our best we cannot guarantee make-up sessions for missed sessions.
Please understand that it’s common for everyone to occasionally miss a class due to travel, appointments, illnesses, unexpected naps, and other aspects of life with little ones!
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Sick Policy
The health and well-being of all participants are a top priority. To prevent the spread of illness and help keep everyone healthy, we ask you to refrain from coming to class if your child is showing signs of communicable illness. This includes a heavy runny nose, persistent cough, fever, diarrhea, etc. We are happy to offer you a make-up class if there is another alternative class that works. While we will do our best we cannot guarantee make-up sessions for missed sessions.
Make-up classes will not carry over into the next session.
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The discussions that Dawn prompted us to have were really valuable and her tips were extremely relevant to what I was going through in the moment. I felt really seen and supported.
FIRST TIME MAMA SUPPORT GROUP MEMBER
It is so normalized for babies to be challenging in the new-parent transition, but no one wants to talk about how difficult it is for older siblings (and by extension, their parents). It feels taboo to talk about these challenges, like hitting and regressions, when the baby arrives, so this platform was amazing to be able to do that.
SECOND TIME MAMA SUPPORT GROUP MEMBER
The experience made me feel part of a group, not alone and that other people are going through exactly what I have been going through! A great way to meet moms in the area and socialize.
SECOND TIME MAMA SUPPORT GROUP MEMBER
This group gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it! Dawn did a fantastic job facilitating discussion and creating a safe space where we all felt comfortable sharing our innermost thoughts almost immediately. I looked forward to each and every session!
SECOND TIME MAMA SUPPORT GROUP MEMBER
Dawn is an amazing moms group facilitator. She’s so real and honest and truly understands what moms are going through. Her advice and perspective is so valuable that I just wanted to hang out with her each week. She does a great job of connecting all the moms in the group to use each other as resources as we go through motherhood together.
FIRST TIME MAMA SUPPORT GROUP MEMBER
I enjoyed learning songs to sing with my baby and loved watching her learn to recognize the songs in the group and at home.  It was great to be with other moms and continue to get support as my baby grew older.  We looked forward to the group every week.
GIGGLES AND GRINS GROUP MEMBER
Healing for the Individual
Reiki
Reiki is a form of energy healing. It utilizes universal life force (Chi) to promote healing in the body, mind and spirit. The energy used in Reiki is only for the greatest good.
Reiki supports deep relaxation and I believe that this is where true healing begins. It is an energy healing therapy offered at most major hospitals because it has been shown to aid in the healing process. With the increased stress and anxiety in our culture, Reiki has come to the forefront as an important and valuable way for people to receive healing and care for themselves. Reiki can benefit your physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health in powerful ways. I am dedicated to offering energy healing and support to others. I offer individual sessions for energetic clearing and relaxation as well as ongoing work for people looking for support and guidance in addition to the energetic work.
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What does a session look like?
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You will lay clothed on a massage table and receive energy healing through light touch with hands held over your body. The session includes time to discuss your experience. Sessions are 50 minutes in length.
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I work with people at all stages and also provide Mom and Baby Reiki sessions.
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Spiritual Community Groups
NEW MOON GATHERINGS FOR WOMEN
New Moon Circles
Ever feel homesick for something you never knew existed? Welcome to the New Moon Gathering for women.
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Since the beginning of time women have been deeply connected to the moon.
Join this safe and sacred circle of inter-generational women to connect with the ancient wisdom of the Earth, seasons, your own body rhythms and other women.
This is where you come to:
Process and reflect on the stuff you don’t have time to ponder on in your day-to-day
Set meaningful goals and intentions for the moon cycle ahead
Step into your power
Go deeper and connect with your authentic self
Experience sisterhood
Sundays, October 15, November 12, December 10 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Contact Dawn
