Frequently Asked Questions
What is a child life specialist?
A Child Life Specialist is a pediatric professional trained in child development, emotional safety, and coping support. We help children and teens navigate stress, fear, and uncertainty through developmentally appropriate explanations, therapeutic play, and evidence-based coping strategies. Services may include: Coping Support: Helping children and teens manage big emotions using evidence-based regulation strategies. Developmentally Appropriate Teaching: Explaining diagnoses, procedures, doctor visits, and other stressful events in language that your child understands and in non-threatening ways. Treatment Plan Support: Encouraging compliance with treatment plan by helping reduce barriers and distress during routines such as taking medications, receiving medical care, completing tasks, or resistance to regular routine and schedule. Stress & Crisis Support: Support before, during, and after tantrums, shutdowns, fear and anxiety responses -guiding both children and their caregivers. Family Coping: Strengthening connection, communication, and problem-solving within the family system.
I thought child life specialists only worked in hospitals?
They do work in hospitals, but not only there. I worked as a child life specialist in the mental health unit at Children's MN prior to starting Fruitful Hearth. While the field of child life started in the hospital, child life specialists also work in community settings. Those settings include; schools, prisons, law enforcement agencies, child advocacy centers, and disaster relief. Child life also works with children who have experienced human trafficking, are in foster care, and hospice.
How are you different from a play therapist or an occupational therapist?
I am not a therapist, my services are non-medical and non-diagnostic, so I do not diagnose or treat mental health or medical conditions. While my work can feel similar to the work of a play therapist or OT, child life is its own specialized field within pediatrics. Child life intervention focuses on supporting coping and connection before, during, and after stressful or traumatic events and experiences.
Do you take insurance?
No, I do not bill insurance. Many families use HSA or FSA funds to pay for services. I can provide a superbill or letter of medical necessity template for your medical provider, upon request.
Do you offer services for child life students?
Not at this time, but I recognize the need. If you’re a student seeking support for internship applications and mentorship, feel free to reach out and I can point you in the direction of some other great CCLSs who offer these services.