child life therapy

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Child Life Therapy engages evidence-based interventions, which aim to reduce the stress and anxiety that can be associated with healthcare experiences by focusing on developmental, social and emotional wellbeing. Child Life Therapists are healthcare professionals, with specialised training in child development. Child Life Therapists use a trauma-informed approach when supporting children and families in their healthcare treatment.

At Empower Kids Newcastle, we combine Play Therapy and Child Life Therapy training to help children, and their families develop skills to process and minimise medical trauma and stress related to health conditions. We offer a range of services including:

• 1:1 child-centred or directive play therapy, to process and heal from medical trauma
• Consultation with carers to debrief challenging experiences and plan for future interventions
• 1:1 or sibling sessions for children living with a family member with chronic illness
• Individualised procedural support plans to minimise trauma associated with medical procedures
• Pre-procedural play sessions to support understanding and confidence in the health environment
• Development of individualised social stories or visual cues to support children of all abilities to understand their treatment and learn to make active choices in their care
• Workshops for families and carers to develop strategies to support children during healthcare procedures, and to develop advocacy skills in the health environment
• Workshops for health professionals and other therapists supporting children in health settings
• COMING IN MID 2025 - Collaboration with a medical clinic in Newcastle, offering Child Life Therapy and sedation for blood collection or minor procedures