The Next Step

Partners in Psychosocial Care

The Next Step: Partners in Psychosocial Care was created as a Child Life practice outside of the hospital walls. Families affected by trauma and medical crises often feel lost and unsupported beyond the hospital setting. My goal is to improve the quality of life for affected families by addressing psychological needs that often go unattended. At The Next Step, we work with a wide range of psychosocial issues for children, adolescents, adults, and their families related to chronic illness, injury, trauma, grief, and loss, assisting clients in coping with these difficult issues and facilitating the healing process. We offer a highly personalized service for both families and medical staff in a comfortable and supportive environment, and home visits are available. We also offer assistance in helping children cope with medical procedures and also assistance with those undergoing treatment or coping with another’s chronic illness. The objective is to assist clients by increasing understanding of their situations and identifying their needs. The goal is to support them in finding their own strengths, enhancing their ability to cope, and bringing a sense of normalcy and consistency back to their everyday lives that will promote hope and healing. Lisa A. Ciarrocca, Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) offers consultations on many issues related to these concerns. Additionally, we offer assistance in program development, parent workshops, and presentations.

PROVIDING INDIVIDUAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND FAMILIES

Our services provide support to families facing serious illness, injury, or loss. We offer interventions that support our clients through their medical crisis. Families affected by trauma and medical crisis often feel lost and unsupported beyond the hospital setting. Our practice was created to assist those undergoing treatment who need assistance in coping with chronic, long term illness, trauma, or loss. Assisting clients by increasing understanding of their situations and identifying needs, clients are supported in finding their own strengths, increasing ability to cope, and helping to bring a sense of normalcy and consistency back to their everyday lives that promotes hope and healing. We offer our services to both families and medical staff and provide workshops for families and professionals on working with children under going the stresses of serious illness, trauma, or loss. We also offer assistance in helping children cope with medical procedures and doctor or dental appointments. Without the assistance of a professional who understands their unique perspective, children and adolescents of all ages may experience emotions such as fear, shame, confusion and loneliness, which can inhibit their natural development, and have lasting negative effects on their wellbeing. This can be said for adults who are dealing with these issues as well. Child life specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children, adolescents, and families overcome life’s most challenging events.