Clarissa has over 15 years of experience at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, including a decade in the ER. She currently supports medical stabilization patients. Her compassionate, creative arts approach earned her UCLA’s Innovation and Compassion Awards for using art expression to promote healing and emotional recovery.
Fabiola received her Child Life degree from the University of La Verne. She began her career as a per diem Child Life Specialist at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital where she had an opportunity to work in the emergency department, pediatric ICU, general pediatrics, and the hematology/oncology unit.
She has been practicing at the UCLA West Valley Burn Center for almost 5 years. Aside from her clinical work at a burn center she works as a Support Group Facilitator at the Children’s Burn Foundation. She has a personal commitment to helping pediatric burn survivors and their families throughout their recovery during and after their admission.
Amanda is a child life student with nearly three years of experience in the playroom and at the bedside at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. With a passion for connection through play, Amanda brings heart, creativity, and go-to icebreakers to every child interaction—whether in camp or clinical settings.
Linda has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for more than 30 years with extensive clinical practice working with chronically ill, injured, and suspected child abuse and neglect children and families. She has worked at UCLA Medical Center, was the Child Life Director at CHLA, and practiced 12 years at UCLA West Hills Burn Center. Currently, Linda is the Children’s Burn Foundation Psychosocial Coordinator and Support Group Lead Facilitator for children burn survivors and their families. Her clinical private practice has extended to the community providing trauma-grief support to victims of fatal family violence. She is a specialized trainer on Grief and Loss training for Dept. of Mental Health. Linda is also the Co-Founder and President of the California Association for Child Life Professionals.
Kathryn is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and Certified Child Life Specialist living and working in San Diego California. She began her career in social work and after working with families in the child welfare and family shelter systems in Massachusetts she moved to San Diego and started the child life program at the University of California San Diego. She holds master’s degree in counseling psychology and completed her clinical therapy training in Human Trafficking recovery. Following licensure, she continued her training and received her registration as a play therapist and later her clinical supervisor credential. She holds a Ph.D. in Counseling with a concentration in Trauma and Crisis work, and works as an Associate Professor in addition to her work in Child Life at UC San Diego and as a therapist in private practice.
Denise has been a CCLS for more than 25 years, and she is currently supporting the NICU. Denise has 2 master’s degrees, as well as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and a Certified Play Maker. Denise is committed to ensuring that all individuals feel valued, respected and empowered.
Millicent has been a Certified Child Life Specialist for over 16 years. She holds a BA in Child Development, an MS in Child Life, and is a Certified Play Maker. Millicent promotes curiosity and continuous learning. She aims to make everyone she works with feel valued and heard.
Megan is a Certified Child Life Specialist at UCLA Health with over 20 years of experience, including 15 years in inpatient pediatric transplant care. She embraces the concept of “iPad Lady” but also loves a really good game of “Have you ever?”
Tracy is a Certified Child Life Specialist with 15 years at UCLA. She’s passionate about equity in patient care, values deep connections with colleagues, and extends her clinical work beyond the hospital by engaging in community outreach ensuring emotional safety in underserved communities and exploring innovative technologies to support families.
Erin has been the inpatient Hematology Oncology Certified Child Life Specialist at CHLA since 2015 and is currently conducting research around reducing parenting stress at the time of a new leukemia diagnosis. Erin enjoys merging her background as a CCLS and camp volunteer, often planning events for the AYA patients.
Rose has been a child life specialist for 15 years and has worked in all departments of hospitals at three different institutions. Her current role is on the in-patient surgical and trauma unit at UCSF BCH-Oakland, and she regularly works with children affected by the child protective system. She is also the co-lead and creator of the UCSF BCH Youth Advisory Council.
Lauren has worked in the music therapy profession for 12+ years, gaining experience in pediatrics, mental health, special education, and palliative/hospice care. Her current role involves direct clinical work on UCSF BCH-Oakland hematology/oncology units and working with the trauma team. In addition to inpatient clinical work, she is also the co-chair lead for UCSF’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion-Anti Racism Council.
Charity is Department Chair at Azusa Pacific University, where she founded the MS in Child Life program. A passionate advocate for formalized academic pathways, she champions education as vital to advancing and legitimizing the child life field through leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional advocacy. She serves on the Founders Council for the Child Life Academic Society and has contributed to numerous ACLP committees. She is also a member of several advisory boards, including those for local community colleges and the California Association of Certified Child Life Professionals (CACLP), where she currently serves as a board member.
