Ambiguity or Uncertainty? Exploring Stress in Child Life Specialists

Stephanie is the Director of Program Development at the Center for Professional Well-Being at Children’s Mercy, Kansas City. The only University of Massachusetts certified MBSR teacher in the area, she leads MBSR teaching at Children’s Mercy. She also teachers other mindfulness-based interventions, provides support to staff, and provides family therapy. Stephanie led the establishment of ASAP (Aligning Support Across Providers), a response to staff after distressing events. She received her Master’s degree in social work from the University Of Kansas and completed a fellowship at the Menninger Clinic.

Kelly works at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City in the Center for Professional Well-Being. She participates in research, teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and other mindfulness-based interventions, provides support to staff, and provides family therapy. She received an undergraduate degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin, a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas, and a PhD from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She has also authored several publications.