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About
Hi! My name is Jenn Schaefer. I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at 4 years old and underwent 2 years of chemotherapy and radiation. During my treatment, I met Christie, my child life specialist. My memories of our time together include giving our big teddy bear pokes or IVs, playing with all of the toys in the playroom and feeling safe asking her about things I felt worried about. She helped my family navigate a terrifying new world of hospitals and pain by explaining scary "doctor words" and helped my parents by giving them the tools to support me. She even included my sister in therapeutic and medical play to allow her to cope with what my family and I were going through.
I am owner of Child Life Force. I began my journey as a Child Life Specialist in 2010 and have worked in a variety of pediatric populations including Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care, and same-day surgery in hospitals in the Lafayette, Louisiana and Minneapolis areas. I have also worked in children's mental health in the Autism Day Treatment and in-home therapy settings as well as through my role as an elementary school therapist and behavioral therapist.
It is my sincere passion to partner with children and families through challenging and stressful times to provide individualized support and I am honored to work with you and your family.
Educational Background & Training
Texas Women's University, Denton, TX - BS Child Development with emphasis in Child Life - 2005 - 2009
Child Life Practicum Student, Medical City Children's Hospital, Dallas, TX - 2008
Child Life Intern, Children's Hospital and Clinic of MN, St. Paul, MN - 2009
Adler Graduate School, Minneapolis, MN - MA Adlerian Counseling & Psychotherapy - 2011 - 2013
Certified Child Life Specialist - 2009 - Present
Certified Autism Specialist - 2017 - Present
Certified Educator of Infant Massage - 2017 - Present
Registered Wonders & Worries Provider - 2020 - Present
Certified Trauma & Resilience Practitioner - 2021 - Present
Healing House Volunteer - 2021 - Present
PARTNERS
Wonders & Worries
Wonders & Worries provides free professional support for children and teenagers during a parent's serious illness. They are the creators of the evidenced based illness and advanced illness education curriculum. Majority of the staff are certified child life specialists.
Red Oaks Coping
Child Life Private Practice & Mentoring
Red Oaks Coping offers and inclusive approach to provide children, youth and adults with the tools to cope with life's challenges.
Association of Child Life Professionals
The CCLS credentialing program is a rigorous, examination-based professional certification designed to promote the proficiency of child life professionals by identifying a body of knowledge, establishing a level of comprehension, and verifying mastery of critical child life concepts.
Starr Commonwealth
Starr Commonwealth is driven to empower professionals to build resilience in children, families, and communities across the world through online education, in-person training and coaching, and direct behavioral health services.