According to the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP), “Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) provide evidence-based, developmentally, and psychologically appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation for procedures, and education that support and reduce fear, anxiety and pain for children, adolescents and families. They work in partnership with families, interdisciplinary healthcare teams, and community professionals within the evolving healthcare system to meet the psychosocial, emotional, and development needs of children and adolescents.”
While we mainly focus on CCLSs within the hospital environment, child life specialists work in various departments and settings, such as emergency rooms, inpatient and outpatient units, schools, camps, dental offices, and even the home. They also have many duties (which can vary day-to-day) that, according to the ACLP, fall into six evidence-based domains meant to support families: CCLSs use an individualized approach, focus on resilience, factor in age and development, and are trauma-informed, relationship-oriented, and play-based.
Learn more in our article Child Life Specialist 101.
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