What is a Child Life Specialist?
“With a background in child development and psychology, child life
specialists help infants, children and families
cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, and loss through evidence-based, developmentally and psychologically appropriate interventions. This includes therapeutic play, preparation for medical procedures, and education to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain for children and their families.”
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Association of Child Life Professionals statement
Meet The Team
Leslie Dempsey, BS, CCLS
As Co-Founder of Coping Creative, Leslie believes that all children should feel empowered when it comes to facing challenges. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Kansas in 2007. Not long after, she moved back to the Tampa Bay area and was certified as a child life specialist in 2008.
Leslie has been working with a wide variety of children and families, including those with special needs, for the last 13 years. She has a unique set of skills and the ability to support those struggling with medical experiences and other everyday struggles. Leslie finds joy in teaching children self awareness and how to regulate emotions to be more successful when life gets tough. Whether preparing a child for an upcoming medical procedure or facilitating activities to help children learn to understand feelings, she believes children can cope when given opportunities to do so.
Leslie’s unwavering passion and commitment to children and families is the basis for why Coping Creative was founded. She looks forward to working with you and your family.
Danielle Palomo, MS, CCLS
As Co-Founder of Coping Creative, Danielle has dedicated her life to supporting children and families through some of life’s most stressful medical challenges. She attended Central Michigan University where she obtained a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Child Development.
She went on to be certified as a Child Life Specialist in 2007 and began her career working with patients and families in Phoenix, Arizona. Shortly after, Danielle earned a Masters of Science in Psychology with a focus on health psychology from Walden University.
Currently residing in the Tampa Bay area, Danielle has over 15 years of experience providing child life services to children and families in a variety of settings. She loves empowering children to master medical events and procedures by giving them the right tools to be successful. Danielle is also passionate about teaching children how to deal with life’s everyday stressors. By utilizing a wide range of mindfulness practices and techniques, she loves helping children better understand their big emotions and how to cope with them.
Coping Creative was built on the dedication and enthusiasm Danielle has for helping children and families. She is excited to see how she can best support you and your family.
