As a Certified Child Life Specialist, I am educated and trained to assess the developmental needs of children and teens who are experiencing some of life’s biggest stressors. These life events can overwhelm them and
prevent their ability to effectively cope.
Through play, activities, preparation and education, I help empower children and teens to express themselves and explore their emotions. Together, we find solutions that decrease stress and anxiety and allow them to
not only cope, but to thrive.
You'll find the prices for my in-home and virtual child life visits make the process more affordable than many similar services.
ACLP Certification #1776
One of the most noticeable changes in a student's life after a new diagnosis is missing school. School is a constant in their life where socialization and education occur. However, returning to school after a prolonged illness/treatment can cause stress and anxiety for the student.
With so much focus on the family member who is ill, the thought of explaining a serious illness to your child/teen might seem overwhelming. Children and teens pick up on more than we realize, and often imagine things to be very different than they are.
Having an operation or medical procedure can be stressful for children and teens. The hospital is an unknown place with so many new sounds, smells, and people to meet. Being prepared for the experience can help to put them at ease on the day of surgery or procedure. It’s natural to want to shield our kids from the scarier parts of life.
Navigating social and academic struggles in school can be a challenging journey for children and teens as they grapple with the complexities of peer relationships and educational demands while developing their sense of self. Child life supports can play a crucial role in helping these students effectively manage the stress and anxiety of
Navigating social and academic struggles in school can be a challenging journey for children and teens as they grapple with the complexities of peer relationships and educational demands while developing their sense of self. Child life supports can play a crucial role in helping these students effectively manage the stress and anxiety of school and friendships by providing them with tailored emotional support and coping strategies.
I have been a certified child life specialist for over 30 years.
My child life career began at St. Louis Children's Hospital in the inpatient setting.
Upon moving to Tucson, AZ, I simultaneously started two child life programs: inpatient services on the pediatric unit at Tucson Medical Center and outpatient at Children’s Clinics for Rehabilitation Services, a family centered comprehensive medical home to meet the special needs of children and families.
I continued my career at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY, where I worked in the Pediatric Surgical Center to provide support in the preparation for surgical procedures for over 10 years.
I am currently a per-diem child life specialist at CompassionNet, a pediatric and perinatal palliative care program that provides support and care to families caring for a child with a potentially life-threatening illness or families expecting the birth of a child with a serious medical condition. In this position, I am honored to provide child life services to patients and siblings in their home or school.
In my professional life, volunteering on committees in the Child Life Certification Commission (CLCC) has allowed me to engage with the inside work of assuring child life specialists are certified with the highest standards of quality. I have served on several committees including item writing, item review, certification appeals, certification communications and recertification audit. I am currently serving a two year term as commissioner of the ethics committee.
Contact Geri for a free 15 minute consultation.