Child Life & Pediatric Integrative Therapies Program

What is the Child Life & Pediatric Integrative Therapies Program?

The Child Life and & Pediatric Integrative Therapies Program at Mass General for Children helps children and adolescents navigate the mental, emotional, and social effects of illness, medical treatment, and hospitalization. As part of the care team, our board-certified child life specialists foster positive coping skills and empower children throughout their healthcare experience.

Our Services

Preparation and Education

Our child life specialists provide preparation and education for potentially painful procedures, new or unfamiliar diagnoses, and the nature of the hospital environment. Our team works with patients and families to create a coping plan for procedures using techniques like play, guided imagery, and deep breathing. Child life specialists collaborate with the medical team to provide developmentally appropriate diagnosis education to children to promote understanding.

Developmental Support

With expertise in child development, child life specialists use play to support typical development. Child life specialists can help support the development of intellectual, motor, emotional and social skills. Engaging in these activities can support children in reaching developmental milestones.

Normalization and Play

The hospital can be a scary place for children, with many new sights and sounds. Our child life team works to create a child-friendly environment through welcoming spaces, such as activity rooms, and opportunities to engage in medical and therapeutic play, creative expression, and peer socialization.

Enhancing Coping and Emotional Regulation

Child life specialists work with children and families to increase coping and normalization of the environment. These skills include techniques such as mindfulness, guided imagery, relaxation, and distraction techniques. This is particularly valuable during medical procedures and lengthy admissions.

Family Involvement and Bonding

Through art, music, and play, our child life team can help promote emotional expression and support children in processing their medical experience. With a passion for advocacy and compassion, child life specialists support families through big challenges. Child life specialists offer legacy-building opportunities during moments of change and loss, as well.

Art Therapy and Music Therapy

Our music and art therapists utilize therapeutic interventions to promote wellness. Music therapy can help support a child’s experience through active music making, gentle live music for relaxation, music-supported meditation, or creating recordings to share with loved ones. Art therapy can be tailored to a child's interests to raise self-esteem and self-awareness. With the help of a board-certified music therapist and art therapist, patients can explore how music and art might best support them during a challenging hospital admission.

It is important to note that child life and pediatric integrative therapies should complement, not replace, conventional medical treatments. Collaborative efforts ensure a well-rounded and supportive approach to pediatric healthcare.

Inpatient Programs

MFA

Monthly interactive workshops with facilitators from the Museum of Fine Arts. Patients model their own projects on the greatest masters throughout history.

SEA Star

Offers children and their families an opportunity to experience the New England Aquarium after hours for a unique, crowd-free, educational, and fun-filled visit.

STEAM Team

Established by the Museum of Science, this program provides engaging hands-on engineering and science activities which build self-confidence and creativity in children.

Hero Circle, Martial Arts Program

Weekly demonstrations from Sensei Joe and his team focusing on empowering patients and promoting positive energy through deep breathing and martial arts exercises.

HOP Program

Also known as the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp Hospital Outreach Program, the HOP Program brings the spirit of camp—including opportunities for play, creativity and self-expression—to our inpatient units.

Ryan’s Case for Smiles

Sewing group which engages children in creating personalized pillowcases.

PUPP (Police Uniting with Pediatric Patients)

Police and security staff at Mass General partner with pediatric patients on the inpatient units to engage in fun, interactive activities.

Fairytale Fridays

Magical Miss Amy comes monthly dressed as favorite Disney princesses, as she enchants pediatric patients on the inpatient units.

Child Life Volunteers

Child Life volunteers support and provide play opportunities for our inpatient population. For additional information, please refer to the volunteer web page.

Baby Cuddling

Specially trained volunteers offer nurturing and comfort to our youngest population. For additional information, please refer to the volunteer web page.

Complimentary Therapies

Pet therapy, music therapy, art therapy, massage, acupuncture and clown therapy.

Patient Resources

View the full collection of patient resources from the Child Life & Pediatric Integrative Therapies Program at MGfC.

Child Life Internship

We will NOT be offering Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 600-hour internships.

The Child Life Internship Program offers interns the chance to work with children of all ages in a variety of inpatient programs.

Our Multidisciplinary Team

Our team of board-certified child life specialists, music therapists, and art therapists can be found throughout the hospital, including inpatient and outpatient settings.