Child Life Therapy involves evidence-based interventions, which aim to reduce the stress and anxiety that can be associated with healthcare experiences by focusing on developmental, social and emotional wellbeing.

Specifically, child life therapy services may include general ‘medical play', which seeks to correct misconceptions and reduce anxiety around medical experiences [i]; Specific play sessions focusing on procedures and useful coping skills have shown to reduce anticipatory anxiety, distress and positively impact future procedures [ii]. Procedural support and distraction provided by a CLT can also be effective in reducing patient and parent anxiety for ongoing invasive procedures