Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) are professionals who are trained in the areas of child development, child life, counseling and psychology, and have expertise in dealing with children’s concerns and reactions to the hospital and their illnesses.
In accordance with Ochsner for Children's family-centered care philosophy, Child Life Specialists recognize and support each family's individuality, strengths and mechanisms for coping. They are members of the comprehensive healthcare team, focusing on promoting normal growth and development, and use play and other forms of communication to help reduce the stress of the healthcare experience for children and their families.
A Child Life Specialist can help you and your child understand and manage your healthcare experience through education, procedural preparation, medical play and other therapeutic activities.
The Child Life department also works with siblings and families to provide support and help deal with understanding of hospitalization, illnesses or stressful hospital situations