A certified child life specialist and licensed therapist is making significant strides in supporting children through various challenging experiences. This new specialist brings a great deal of knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm. They have touched the lives of tens of thousands of children, shepherding them through the complexities of medical diagnoses, hospital stays, grief, trauma, and loss.
As a private practice owner, she wisely manages her business. On top of that, she’s the Chief Clinical Officer of the nonprofit Pickles Group, where she combines her clinical experience with her own motherhood journey as a mom of two. This singular view has informed her ability to get into the emotional weeds that children from hard times often walk through when they need help the most.
The certified child life specialist employs creative strategies to help children move from their “emotional brain,” the hub for emotional responses. This allows kids to use their “thinking brain,” so they’re better able to process and manage their feelings. By providing therapeutic support, she is helping children find their voices, express their feelings and affirm their experiences.
You’re not the only one who feels this way,” she may say to children with reassurance—an affirmation that signals emotional validation is paramount. For young children from birth to two years old, she highlights the effectiveness of the simple, yet profound words, “I’m here.” This type of validation goes a long way in creating an atmosphere of safety and trust.
As children grow older, her methods evolve. For preschoolers aged three to five, she encourages them to express their feelings by saying, “You weren’t ready to leave the park, and that made you upset.” This method achieves the dual purpose of legitimizing their feelings while instructing them on how to express their unease.
Beyond outreach with children, the specialist spends time teaching parents and caregivers protective factors and effective communication strategies to avoid dangerous behavior. She is especially passionate about building confidence in young adults, arming them with body language skills to dazzle in any first impression. By soothing person jitters and fostering open communication, she prepares them with fundamental skills that they’ll use to develop future relationships, whether professional or romantic.
The development and authorship of The Method Workbooks is yet another testament to her desire to offer simple, accessible, functional resources for families. These workbooks serve as a tool for parents to engage with their children on topics related to emotional health and resilience.
As an educator, therapist, advocate, and overseer of children’s mental well-being, the certified child life specialist tangibly supports children in navigating and coping. Beyond that, she’s raising a generation with the experience of knowing that validation and the freedom to express emotion are two extremely powerful things.