Child Life
for children and teens navigating illness, injury, grief, and loss
Big medical experiences, illness, injury, and loss can feel overwhelming for kids. They often don't have the words to explain what they're going through. That's where child life comes in, giving them a safe space to process what's happening in ways that feel natural, age-appropriate, and supportive.
When Child Life Might Help
Maybe this sounds familiar…Your child is nervous before doctor's visits or procedures. They're asking tough questions about illness or loss. Or maybe a diagnosis or death in the family has left them anxious and unsure of what's coming next. Child life specialists step in with play, preparation, and coping tools to help kids feel calmer and more confident.
Child life can be especially helpful when a child is:
Preparing for a surgery, procedure, or hospital stay
Coping with a new diagnosis (their own, a sibling's, or a parent's)
Facing the death of a loved one or anticipating a loss
Struggling with grief or sadness related to illness, injury, or loss
Needing help understanding and making sense of medical or grief-related experiences
Ages Served
Child life services are available for kids and teens of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! We often involve parents and caregivers to give you tools and strategies you can use at home, too. Child life is about helping the whole family feel supported.
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We support children of all ages from toddlers who need play-based preparation to teens who need space to ask honest questions and build coping skills.
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Child life specialists help kids make sense of medical, emotional, or grief-related experiences in ways that feel safe and age-appropriate. We use play, preparation, and coping strategies to reduce stress and help them feel more in control.
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Not at all. While child life specialists are often found in hospital settings, we bring that same support to families in the community. Whether your child is preparing for a medical procedure, coping with a sibling’s diagnosis, or grieving a loss, child life can help.
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We are a private-pay practice, which means we don’t bill insurance. However, we’re happy to provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network benefits.
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The first step is scheduling a free consultation. We’ll learn more about your child, answer your questions, and help you decide if child life services are the right fit.
