Services Offered

Anxiety and Fear

Children today confront a wide variety of stressful and potentially traumatic events that may overwhelm their natural ability to cope and heal. Difficult or unexpected experiences such as, chronic illness, hospitalization, the death of a loved one, trauma, or natural disasters are upsetting for everyone involved. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, and parents, or other responsible adults, may feel unsure of their ability to help children to successfully understand and manage these experiences. In addition, assistance in Treatment specialization includes, but is not limited to anxiety or fears related to illness, Palliative care, and children of adults dealing with a chronic or terminal illness. Visits, Preparing for visiting a funeral home, and Reiki Healing.

Coping techniques

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a Child Life Specialist as a member of a child's health care team. By understanding a child's abilities and limitations, a developmentally appropriate plan may be devised to maximize the child's comprehension and positive effects of the intervention, reducing the negative effect of treatments or events. Distraction techniques to minimize the stress, fear and pain during medical and traumatic life events. We also can accompany your child and family to a doctor's office, clinic, hospital or support and coping during well-checks, immunizations, diagnostic procedures, prolonged illness surgery or end of life situation. We tailor needs to:

• Timing of discussions, based on life realities and developmental needs

• Using appropriate terminology, based on developmental levels

Community programming

Services extend to schools, medical institutions, groups, and the community. Fall/Spring programs;

For pre-schools/kindergarten : Teddy Bear Clinics
Hands-On manipulation of medical instruments creates a learning experience which allows for discovery through play. In becoming familiar with the instruments of a well-care visit, the mystery and fear are minimized, making the next check-up less stressful and shorter! With the guidance of a Child Life Specialist, children can "play" doctor while having questions answered accurately, at their developmental level.
Teddy Bear Clinics can help with a doctor visit, explain a diagnosis, school reintegration or immunizations. A Child Life Specialist is available for a child, family, pre-school, classroom, church group or scout group.

For school age:
An Orientation to the hospital or doctor. This program will provide age -appropriate understanding of what it is like to go to the hospital or can be geared to a doctor visit. Through visual aids and hands on learning the group can get a better understanding of and a familiarity with what they may see if they were to be hospitalized.

CONSULTING SERVICES

At The Next Step we offer consulting services based on the needs of your group. We are available to coordinate an on, or off site team building retreat for your staff or group. In addition, staff development workshops, and various presentations are available upon request for professional development. We also offer various workshops related to reducing anxiety and coping which are help year round.