Support for Children Facing Medical/ Life Stressors
As a Certified Child Life Specialist I am specially trained to help children cope with the stressors of being faced with medical experiences. From something as simple as a doctor’s office visit to working through the trauma of a hospitalization and chronic illness. I am able to use a variety of tools to support children and their families in developing positive coping skills as they navigate these situations.
Families
Support for children (ages 0–18) experiencing stressful medical situations may include:
Preparation for doctor’s office visits
Distraction and coping strategies during appointments
In-person support for shots, lab draws, etc.
Post-visit processing and emotional support
Developmentally appropriate education on medical procedures, diagnoses, and treatments
Therapeutic play and medical play to process emotions and regain control
Identification of positive coping skills
Caregiver coaching on how to support their child through medical experiences
Advocacy within the medical team to ensure a trauma-informed, child-centered approach
Creation of a safe space for children to express fears, ask questions, and be themselves
Collaboration with healthcare providers to reduce medical trauma and enhance the care experience
Each session is tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and family.
Organizations Supporting Families with Children
Services as described above available for contract to support families receiving care within your organization