Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Legal and Counseling Services in Cambridge, MA
Community Legal Services & Counseling has dedicated 50 years to providing critical civil legal assistance and mental health counseling to individuals with low incomes. Our organization specializes in housing and homelessness prevention, family law, domestic violence cases, immigration law, and disability benefits, ensuring clients receive comprehensive legal support. Our mental health services include trauma-informed counseling and forensic psychological evaluations for survivors of torture, violence, and abuse. Through a holistic model, we address both legal challenges and emotional well-being, empowering clients to overcome systemic barriers.With over 100 volunteers contributing $500,000 annually, we deliver cost-effective services while maintaining a commitment to equity and inclusion. We operate without discrimination, serving diverse communities locally and globally through education and training programs. Our fee structure ensures accessibility, with sliding scales and free services for qualifying individuals, including refugees and immigrants. Transparency and community partnerships remain central to our mission-driven approach, fostering trust and long-term impact.
Services
Legal Assistance
Counseling Services
Forensic Evaluations
Community Training
Torture Treatment
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- We provide free legal services to low-income individuals in critical need.
- Our volunteer network contributes $500,000 annually in direct services.
- Holistic approach combines legal advocacy with trauma-informed mental health care.
- Sliding-scale fees ensure accessibility for all income levels.
- Community education programs extend our impact locally and globally.
Services
Legal Assistance
Community Legal Services & Counseling provides free civil legal services in housing, family law, immigration, and disability benefits. Our attorneys help clients prevent homelessness, navigate domestic violence cases, and secure essential benefits. Services prioritize low-income individuals facing systemic inequities.
Counseling Services
Affordable trauma-informed counseling addresses anxiety, depression, and abuse recovery. Individual and group therapy sessions promote resilience and self-empowerment. Evening appointments accommodate working clients, with fees adjusted for financial need.
Forensic Evaluations
Expert psychological evaluations support asylum, VAWA, and U-Visa cases. Licensed clinicians document trauma impacts for legal proceedings. Fees are negotiable based on client circumstances.
Community Training
We train professionals globally on trauma-informed legal and clinical practices. Workshops cover housing rights, immigration law, and mental health advocacy. Materials equip providers to address poverty-related systemic challenges.
Torture Treatment
Specialized care for torture survivors includes therapy, case management, and legal advocacy. Services address complex trauma while navigating immigration or asylum processes. Free care available for qualifying refugees.
People
Lauren Shebairo
Clinical Director
Lauren Shebairo leads Community Legal Services & Counseling's counseling programs, specializing in trauma recovery for survivors of violence and abuse. With over 15 years in clinical social work, she oversees forensic evaluations and volunteer training initiatives.
Questions
What legal services does Community Legal Services & Counseling offer?
We provide free legal help with housing, family law, immigration, and disability benefits for low-income clients in Massachusetts.
How can I schedule counseling?
Call (617) 661-1010 during business hours to schedule an appointment. Most clients are seen within one week.
Are counseling fees negotiable?
Yes, fees range from $2–$60 based on income. No one is turned away for inability to pay.
Do you offer volunteer opportunities?
We rely on 100+ volunteers annually, including attorneys, clinicians, and student interns across our programs.
What populations do you serve?
We prioritize low-income individuals facing housing instability, domestic violence, immigration challenges, and trauma from abuse or torture.
