Meet Megan Palko, Certified Life Specialist and Board Certified Art Therapist!

Megan shares, “I found the child life profession when I was completing my masters degree in Creative Arts Therapy. I was pulled to the field due to its focus on the psycho-social and emotional health of children and families’ during difficult times.”

PREEMIEWORLD:  What is your job title/occupation?

MEGAN: Certified Child Life Specialist.

PREEMIEWORLD: How long have you been working in your field?

MEGAN: 5+ years.

PREEMIEWORLD:  Why did you choose your current profession?

MEGAN: I found the child life profession when I was completing my masters degree in Creative Arts Therapy. I was pulled to the field due to its focus on the psycho-social and emotional health of children and families’ during difficult times.

PREEMIEWORLD: What do you want other professionals to know about what you do?

MEGAN: One of the main goals of a child life specialist is to help decrease the stress and anxiety children and families experience while in the hospital. One of the ways we do that is by focusing on the child’s development.

We provide the patient, family and siblings with developmentally appropriate preparation and education on tests/procedures to lessen the anxiety and increase understanding. We help children and their families develop healthy coping skills. We use play to promote normalization, a way to teach, build rapport and let a child feel like themselves while in the hospital. We focus on the emotional health of the children and families.

PREEMIEWORLD:  What advice do you give to preemie parents?

MEGAN: Revel in the small milestones and cry or get angry at the setbacks. Give yourself some grace! Preemie parents are some of the strongest, most resilient individuals out there. Allow yourself to process each emotion as it comes to the surface.

PREEMIEWORLD:  Fun Facts: Tell us a fun or quirky fact about you?

MEGAN: I love circles. Ever since I was younger, when I create art, circles ALWAYS appear in my work. My favorite medium of choice is clay! I have a 2 and a half year old son named Otto with my husband, Luke.

PREEMIEWORLD:  Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

MEGAN: I am also a registered and board certified art therapist!