The Child Life Program provides therapeutic interventions for children with chronic and acute medical conditions and their families. A team of Child Life Specialists and Behavioral Medicine Therapists provide services for patients at the Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center and outpatient clinics. Their support may begin in the pediatric emergency room, and continue through out their hospital stay and discharge. Team members also assist when children return to outpatient clinics for follow-up care. If your family has a child with a severe medical condition who might benefit from our services, please call 561-727-1043.
Child Life Specialists work to make every child’s hospital stay or visit to an outpatient clinic a positive experience. This is accomplished with the use of developmentally appropriate therapeutic interventions, including medical play and diversional therapy to help reduce anxiety children might experience while undergoing treatment and follow-up care. Medical play equipment, procedural preparation books, medical puppets and hospital tours are some tools used when talking about medical procedures with children.
Behavioral Medicine Therapists provide psychosocial support, counseling and advocacy for high-risk children and their families. When children and their families are faced with trauma, severe illness or end-of-life issues, having a counselor to speak to at these critical times can make all the difference for the well-being of children.
Our Services
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Counseling
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Family therapy
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Advocacy
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Crisis intervention
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Support groups
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Medical procedural support
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Sibling support
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Bereavement support
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Expressive and therapeutic activities
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Therapeutic medical play
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Referral to local and national resources
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Assistance with educational referrals
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Pre-surgical hospital orientation/tours
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Psycho-educational programs
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Wish coordination
Our Funders include the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, Be A Star Foundation and other individuals and businesses that care about the well-being of children facing chronic and acute illness or trauma.
We Need Your Support!
As a non for profit organization our program depends on the generosity of funders and individuals who care about critically ill children. Help bring hope and support to families by becoming a volunteer or by making a donation.
Volunteers help us improve the lives of the children we serve by providing support in the office, assisting staff and patients and helping with fund-raising or social events for the children. Our program values volunteers who support our staff’s efforts. If you are interested, please call us today.
Financial Contributions are welcomed and needed. If you wish to make a donation, please contact us at 561-727-1043.
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