What We Do

When your child is anxious, you’re overwhelmed, or your other children don’t understand what’s happening, please contact us. If you’re unsure about something or need advice to get through a rough spot, we can help. If your child just needs a little distraction or another hand to hold, that’s exactly why we’re here. Child Life specialists can give your entire family:

Psychosocial support

Helping your child cope with an injury, diagnosis, or treatment by encouraging discussion, answering questions, and talking about feelings and concerns.

Pre-procedure/pre-operative support

Reducing your child’s fears and anxiety before a procedure or surgery by explaining what will happen and what to expect.

Support during a procedure

Reducing your child’s anxiety by providing distraction and non-medical
pain management.

Medical/therapeutic play

Helping your child understand and cope better by playing with pretend or real medical equipment and providing opportunities to share feelings, concerns,
and fears.

Pain and stress management

Easing physical, psychological, and emotional pain with relaxation strategies like guided imagery and deep breathing.

Creative stimulation/development

Using art, music, and play activities to promote your child’s growth,
maintain developmental milestones, and provide a creative outlet for dealing
with emotions.

Bereavement services

Offering comfort, support, and memorial activities for families in the event of a child’s death.

Child Life Activity Center

Please note that adult supervision is required for patients’ siblings and visitors under 10 years old.

Child Life Activities

Kids of all ages want to explore, play, and laugh, no matter where they are – even the hospital. But in the hospital, kids’ choices are, of course, limited to what the doctors and nurses want them to do. That’s why we offer lots of fun Child Life programs and activities to keep all of the children we see, from tots to teens, uplifted and entertained during even the most difficult hospital stay.

The Child Life Team

A Child Life specialist is a graduate of a bachelor’s or master’s program in education, human growth and development, psychology, or counseling, and certified through rigorous Child Life services training. We’re equipped to handle a child’s unique way of dealing with a traumatic experience like an illness or injury – and we can help you feel confident doing the same with your child.

Meet the Team