Patients and families may work with child life specialists, child life assistants, music therapists or art therapists.
Child Life Specialists
Child life specialists are healthcare professionals with education and training, including a child life specialist certification, in helping children and families to cope better with their hospital stays. We take a tailored approach that blends education, therapy and play to promote health and wellness. Our department employs more than 40 child life specialists.
During your stay Phoenix Children’s, child life specialists can help:
- Prepare patients and family members for the hospital, surgery or medical experiences
- Educate patients and siblings about illness and treatment using language that children can understand
- Provide play opportunities for patients and siblings to normalize being in the hospital, while also developing positive skill sets, such as healthy expression of feelings
- Develop coping plans and strategies that patients can use to reduce anxiety during medical tests and procedures
- Support families who are experiencing grief due to the severe illness or loss of a child
Child Life Assistants
Child life assistants are vital in making sure children’s play needs are met during a hospital stay. You’ll find child life assistants supervising playrooms, planning crafts and other special activities, and facilitating opportunities for play.
Music & Art Therapists
As part of our Therapeutic Arts program, board-certified music therapists and art therapists work with your care team to provide individual therapy sessions. The goal of these sessions is to help your child regain a sense of confidence and control at any stage of care.
