By: Shannon Sonnhalter, BS, CCLS, Child Life Senior Manager (Enterprise Child Life) & Jessica Timms, BA, MS, CCLS (Fairview Hospital)

Cleveland Clinic Children's Child Life Services

Shannon Sonnhalter, Child Life Senior Manager (Enterprise Child Life)

Jessica Timms, (Fairview Hospital)

It is no surprise that the hospital is a scary place for anyone, whether visiting a patient, bringing in a patient, or becoming one. This is especially true for children. The machines, the beeps, the codes being called, and all of the unfamiliar faces can quickly raise any child’s or parent's anxiety.  At many area hospitals, including Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Child Life Specialists are available to assist and guide families through these healthcare experiences.

In healthcare settings, Certified Child Life Specialists help infants, children, youth and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss and bereavement.  Child Life Specialists are educated and clinically trained in the developmental impact of illness and injury. Medical experiences without developmentally appropriate preparation and support can lead to feelings of fear, confusion, separation, isolation and loss of control. Our goal is to see hospitalization through the eyes of a child and address not only the medical issues but to enhance the patient experience in the process.

Child Life services are individualized to the patient’s developmental needs, abilities and concerns. Some of the most common child life interventions are: preadmission surgical preparation and tours, procedural preparation and support, therapeutic and medical play opportunities, sibling support, new diagnosis teaching, coping with chronic illness, and bereavement support. These interventions increase understanding, decrease misconceptions, promote positive coping and reduce fear, anxiety and pain.

The Cleveland Clinic Child Life Program employs twenty Certified Child Life Specialists throughout the healthcare system. You can find child life at the Main Campus Children’s Hospital, Fairview and Hillcrest Hospitals in addition to Beachwood, Strongsville, and Westlake Ambulatory Surgery Centers.  Child Life Specialists are available by appointment for various areas of the hospitals. This consists of pre-arranged surgery tours to prepare children for what to expect and normalize the surgery environment, outpatient procedures such as lab, radiology exams, and various other test and procedures.

To make an appointment with a child life specialist prior to a child’s visit, please call the child life department at 216.445.6454.  Please provide the reason for contacting child life, Cleveland Clinic location and a brief description of your request and a child life specialist will return your call within 24-48 hours.

Please note: Child Life Specialists are also available at other area hospitals and medical facilities. Please click the links below for contact information and description of services provided.

University Hospitals Child Life Specialists

MetroHealth Child Life & Education Program

Akron Children's Hospital Child Life Specialists