Services
Pediatric Services
How Child Life Can Help Your Family
Children and families struggling with life transitions, illness, injury, trauma and other challenging events can benefit from the support of a child life specialist. Private sessions with a specialist will focus on building rapport, comprehending psychosocial and emotional issues, and developing a comprehensive coping plan with attainable positive outcomes for the child and family. Sessions will typically occur in the child’s most comfortable environment – their home. Pediatric sessions will include play therapy, developmentally-appropriate education and preparation, role play, and other helpful techniques for coping with stressful events.
**Sessions in Connecticut will take place in a pediatric-friendly office or alternative setting.
Medical Anxieties
Children will create positive coping techniques to gain control over common childhood fears - visiting the doctor or dentist, vaccines, blood draws, etc. Specialists create customized care plans including medical play, social stories, and scripts for challenging moments.
Divorce
Navigating a divorce with children can be extremely challenging. We can help make this life transition less stressful for you and your child by creating tangible plans for difficult conversations by developing a script, and helping parents answer tough questions in an honest and comfortable way.
Diagnosis Education
We specialize in educating children about a new diagnosis using medical and therapeutic play activities. Specialists are trained to support and educate siblings of a sick child, or children of a parent with a new diagnosis. Education gives kids power and control in these often frightening experiences.
Bereavement/Death of a Family Member or Pet
Child life specialists provide parents and caregivers with the language and tools to explain death and loss. We create customized therapeutic activities that aid in processing emotions and coping with bereavement.
Separation Anxiety
School drop-offs are challenging for so many families. Our specialists will create a coping plan for your child, helping them feel safe and comfortable in their new environment. We will communicate with your child’s school and recommend accommodations.
Major Life Changes/Events
A move to a new town, welcoming a new baby, or experiencing divorce are all situations where children can benefit from specialized support. Specialists implement practical strategies, preparation, and coping plans to navigate these experiences.
Services
Types of support include but are not limited to:
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Therapeutic play, including medical play
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Developmentally-appropriate education
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Preparation for medical procedures and other upcoming life events
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Self-expression activities
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Accompaniment to a medical/dental appointment (upon request; ultimate goal will be for specialist to utilize parent training to ensure parent is able to support child’s ability to cope)
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Bereavement support for child and family experiencing the loss of a loved one
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Advocacy support on behalf of child and family
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School support/education for new diagnoses/allergies
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School re-entry/reintegration support following a prolonged or scattered absence*
*This support can include working directly with the child’s school and providing developmentally-appropriate education for classmates, including the reason for the child’s absence. Like any support, school re-entry support will be tailored to fit the exact needs of the child and family.