Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and CCLS, Katie Lavallee, about the powerful synergy between recreational therapy and child life. As a dual-certified professional with a decade of recreational therapy experience and seven years as a child life specialist, Katie offers unique insights into how these complementary fields enhance patient care.

Katie's journey began at age 12 when a compassionate child life specialist transformed her emergency department experience. Though initially pursuing recreational therapy, she never abandoned her child life dreams, eventually completing her internship years later. Her varied professional background spans community-based programs for individuals with disabilities, adaptive sports instruction, emergency medicine, and intensive care units.

At the heart of both professions lies a commitment to meaningful play. While child life specialists use play for normalization and therapeutic intervention, recreational therapists employ activities patients genuinely enjoy to motivate them toward their treatment goals. As Katie eloquently puts it, "Physical therapists give patients the strength to get out of bed, occupational therapists teach patients how to get out of bed, and recreational therapists give patients the meaning to get out of bed."

Unlike child life specialists who primarily serve pediatric populations in medical settings, recreational therapists work across the lifespan in diverse environments – from hospitals and rehabilitation centers to prisons, nursing homes, VA facilities, and community programs. Both fields share common challenges: the struggle for professional recognition, competitive pay, and the emotional toll of supporting people through difficult circumstances.

What makes Katie's dual certification particularly valuable is her expertise in activity analysis and adaptation. Whether organizing water fights with giant syringes in hospital gardens or adapting activities for patients with new limitations, she ensures therapeutic play remains accessible to all. For students and professionals considering either path, Katie offers heartfelt encouragement: despite the challenges, the profound impact you'll have on patients' lives makes every struggle worthwhile.

You can follow Katie on Instagram at @katielavallee.

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