Child Life in Action

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) provide evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education that support and reduce fear, anxiety and pain for children, adolescents and families. They work in partnership with families, interdisciplinary healthcare teams and community professionals within the evolving healthcare system to meet the psychosocial, emotional and development needs of children and adolescents.
Child Life in Dialysis Nutrition
Doreen Evans-Yorke, MA, CCLS, while cooking with patients, provides a sense of control for children and teens who can’t regulate their mobility.
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Child Life in Action Stories
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Child Life in Special Needs
Emily Onderick, BS, CCLS, learns important information about a patient’s communication style and potential triggers before the first encounter.
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Child Life in Radiology
Rachel Kinsinger, CCLS, tailors her procedural support to the patient, and uses a variety of techniques to reduce anxiety and promote cooperation.
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Child Life in Sedation
Laura Mitchell, BS, CCLS, incorporates a structured, individualized approach to sedation.
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Child Life in Cardiology
Hanna Bratt, CCLS, CTRS, works with toddlers who struggle to understand the purpose behind the tubes and the poking and prodding.
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Child Life in Child Advocacy
Annie Drehkoff, MS, CCLS, works with children who have experienced sexual abuse - Battling Abuse, Restoring Lives.
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Child Life in Cardiology
Leslie Scott, CCLS, uses a customized cardiac teaching doll to help children understand what they may look and feel like after surgery.
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Child Life in Bereavement
Heather Eppelheimer, CCLS, focuses on education and bereavement planning for families who have received terminal fetal diagnoses.
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Child Life in a Tribal Hospital
Joanna Davis, CCLS, established the first child life program at a Tribal hospital in Anchorage, Alaska.
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Child Life in a Public Health Brigade
Mary Noe, MPH, CCLS, and Ashley Kilpatrick, CCLS, CIMI worked with Zika virus patients and their families.
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Child Life in the ICU
Jessie Gordon, M.Ed., CCLS, received the training and technology needed to offer families recordings of their child’s heartbeat.
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