A Child Life Specialist is a trained professional who supports children and families through challenging experiences, such as illness, hospitalization, or trauma, by providing emotional support, education, and play-based interventions. Child Life Specialist have bachelors degrees (and often masters degrees), a clinical practicum and internship, and also sit for a rigorous certification exam through the Association of Child Life Professionals.

I am a certified Child Life Specialist with extensive training and experience in pediatric healthcare, child development, and therapeutic interventions. In order to become a Certified Child Life Specialist, I completed a 4 year degree in Child Development. Next, I completed my practicum at Memorial Health in Savannah on a general pediatric unit. I then completed my first internship with a pediatric oncology non-profit Camp Sunshine. Finally, I did my clinical internship under the direct supervision of a Child Life Specialist at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. During my internship I specialized in cystic fibrosis and emergency medicine. I then sat for my certification exam and began practicing as a Child Life Specialist.

I have worked in many units of the hospital including but not limited to the bone marrow transplant unit, oncology solid tumor unit, emergency department, surgery, and radiation oncology.

I provide individual and group sessions, parent coaching, educational workshops, and support for families navigating medical challenges, bereavement, and other significant life changes. My approach includes therapeutic play and conversation, coping strategies, and emotional support.

Children of all ages facing medical issues, trauma, or significant life changes, as well as their families, can benefit from my services. I tailor my approach to meet the specific needs of each child and family.

I conduct an initial assessment to understand the child’s emotional, social, and developmental needs. This may involve interviews with parents, observations, and age-appropriate psychosocial assessments.

I work with children from toddlerhood through adolescence/young adults. My interventions are customized to suit the developmental stage of each child.

Yes, parental involvement is crucial. I encourage parents to participate in sessions, as it fosters trust and helps them learn ways to support their child.

I strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment through play, open communication, and by allowing children to express their feelings in a safe space. I have learned that providing sessions in-home can often times make children feel more at ease and readily available to communicate feelings.

I utilize various techniques, including therapeutic play, therapeutic art, sensory play, storytelling, rehearsal, guided meditation and mindfulness activities to help children express their emotions and develop coping strategies.

You can schedule an appointment by contacting me through my email (becca@copingsolutionsllc.com) or by setting up a 15 minute free consultation on this website. I’ll respond to discuss availability and your child’s needs.

My fee is $135/hour for virtual and in-home or in-person sessions. I do not take insurance at this time.

Yes, I offer virtual sessions to accommodate families who may prefer or need remote support. I have published research that shows the efficacy of working with a child life specialist over telehealth. Let’s discuss if this is an appropriate option based on your child’s age and needs.

It’s common for children to feel unsure about participating initially. I work at their pace, using play and engaging activities to build trust and comfort. One of the values of working with a Child Life Specialist is that we base sessions on children’s interests and strengths, which tends to help a child have more interest in participation. I understand that one technique does not fit the needs of all children.

When we work together I will provide resources and strategies for parents to use at home, including communication tips, activities to promote emotional expression, and ways to create a supportive environment. I believe that the parents are integral in helping children through life’s stressors. I will work alongside you to provide guidance and support.

During the first session, we’ll discuss your child’s background, concerns, and goals. It’s an opportunity for both you and your child to ask questions and become familiar with the process. This first session allows me opportunity to build rapport and gain a greater understanding of your needs.

I regularly assess and document progress through observations, feedback from parents, and adjustments to our interventions based on the child’s evolving needs. I will clearly communicate with you, the parent, the goals we’ve collectively set for our sessions. Once goals have been met we can discuss if our time together is no longer necessary or if there are future goals to continue working on. As a Child Life Specialist, my overarching goal is to provide you with the tools you need in order to no longer need my support.

Absolutely. I am trained to support children with a range of developmental and medical needs, tailoring my approach to fit each individual child. With expertise in child development and extensive experience in various units of the hospital, I am be a great fit for children who have special needs.

I provide a variety of resources, including books, websites, and community support groups that can help parents better understand their child’s experience and offer additional support. I will tailor these resources to your specific needs. Check out my Instagram (@CopingSolutions) for day-to-day tips to support your child.

Yes, I welcome feedback! Please feel comfortable to send feedback directly to my email (becca@copingsolutionsllc.com) or in person.

I adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines to protect the privacy of all clients. Information is only shared with consent or when mandated by law.

Child Life Specialists work on developing strategies to lessen trauma and improve understanding of a diagnosis or major life event by providing support, guidance and information to family members.

Counselors focus more on those struggling with mental and/or emotional disorders, behavioral issues, anxiety and depression.

No. As a Child Life Specialist, I focus on providing family members with education and support based on the event you are experiencing and that is specific to your child’s age and developmental level. My goal is to equip all those I work with, with the tools to process and understand what they are experiencing.