Child Life Therapy
Child life professionals provide psychosocial support to children, families and their support systems impacted by stress related to significant life experiences. These events could influence typical growth and development and child life professionals aim to minimize the risk of long-term negative effects. Children of all ages may experience emotions such as fear, shame, confusion and loneliness, which can inhibit their natural development. This can also lead to regression in some children and sometimes can cause long-term negative effects without support. While certified child life specialists are experts in child development and medical terminology, they do not diagnose. Referrals to other specialties will be recommended if necessary.
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What will the child life specialist do?​
• Foster a safe and therapeutic relationship characterized by compassion, empathy, respect and expertise in psychosocial and developmental needs.
• Encourage normalcy, empowerment and healthy coping strategies.
• Enhance the child’s self-advocacy and communication skills through cultivating understanding and empathy within siblings and peers.
• Provide developmentally appropriate explanations to the child about the sequence, nature, and reasons for life experiences
• Provide play opportunities that promote a sense of mastery, optimal development and an understanding of significant life experiences.
• Engage the child in varied activities that facilitate identification and expression of emotions.
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Grief & Loss
Children can experience grief and loss from the loss of a loved one, a pet, or the loss of normalcy such as a family separation or divorce, foster care placement, etc. PW offers therapeutic expressive activities that provide children the tools and the safe space to explore their feelings around the loss. Legacy building such as memory boxes, writing stories and songs, jewelry making and other activities help to support their coping.
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Medical Diagnosis
Children who have a life-threatening or terminal illness or have a family member with one, have a difficult time understanding the diagnosis and the treatment involved. PW offers age-appropriate explanations and medical play. PW also offers assistance for at-home port placements, assists for medical visits and offers parent/caregiver support for comfort holds and relaxation techniques while receiving medical care.
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Trauma
Children impacted by trauma such as witnessing violent acts, substance use/overdose, and other traumas, are at risk for developing poor coping skills, poor academic success, and may suffer from depression and anxiety. Therapeutic play provides the child control of his/her environment, to not feel alone, provides a safe space, teaching them tools and strategies for healthy long-term coping.
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Other
Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing, Separation Anxiety, Family separation, Divorce, Parent incarceration, parent's SUD, Witnessing Domestic Violence, Dental & Doctor Anxiety, Phobias
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