top of page
Caring Child

Welcome to Heartfelt Child Life Services

A Safe Space for Children and Their Families

Heartfelt Child Life Services focuses on providing psychosocial support to children with a medical diagnosis and their siblings beyond the hospital setting. Find out more below.

Home: Welcome
Curious Child

About Us

No matter the medical diagnosis of the child, we have a fit for you at Heartfelt Child Life Services. We specialize in expression of feelings, developmentally appropriate understanding of the medical diagnosis, and coping with stress. In addition, parenting guidance is available related to helping the child and his/her siblings cope when a child is hospitalized or needs on-going medical care. Use the form below to contact us to learn more.

Home: About
Picture1.png

All About Me

Michele Martin, MS, CCLS, RWWP Consultant

Experience

I have been a certified child life specialist for over 25 years. I have worked in a children's hospital, a non-profit, as well as teaching full-time and substitute teaching. I wish to help children foster their self-esteem and resiliency through child-centered approaches.

Education

After receiving my bachelor's in psychology and child development at the University of North Texas, I began my career in child life. I completed my Master's degree in human development and family studies with an emphasis in parent education and play therapy under the guidance of Dr. Garry Landreth at UNT. I completed my internship and fellowship at Children's Health in Dallas and worked in every department after being hired there.  My passion was helping in cardiology, the ER, trauma, and the ICU. I also provide support at Wonders & Worries to children of adult patients.

Home: Facilities

Services Provided

Individual or Group Sessions and Parenting Guidance

Image by Dragos Gontariu

Individual or Group Sessions

There for You

Heartfelt Child Life Services believes in giving children the opportunity to feel supported outside of the hospital environment.

* We work with children ages 2-18

*Individual sessions or groups are available

*Teddy bear clinics for preschoolers and early elementary children provided

*End of life and bereavement support

*Sessions focus on:

  • medical education related to a new or existing diagnosis

  • preparation for upcoming procedures

  • processing when a sibling is ill

  • creating  a coping plan through therapeutic and medical play

  • Issues related to body image, independence, and peer relationships

Family Kayaking

Parenting Guidance

All for the Family

At Heartfelt Child Life Services, we offer parenting support related to helping your children and family cope when a child needs medical care.
Guidance is related to helping parents understand normal developmental reactions to an illness and the need for treatment and how to help their child cope with these changes. We provide a family centered approach to encourage a strong family unit.

Home: Services
Image by Carlos Magno

​

"Enter into a children's play and you will find the place where their hearts, minds, and souls meet."

Virginia Axline

Home: Quote

Steps to begin Support

Teen Psychologist

Intake Process

Your First Steps to Success

Child In Hospital Bed

Session scheduling

Flexible and convenient

Image by John-Mark Smith

Parenting support

Family success

Home: Admissions
powder and smoke, color in the desert_edited.jpg

More About Us

There’s a fit for everyone at Heartfelt Child Life Services. We begin the process of support by completing a parent intake meeting. The meeting is for parents or caregivers to discuss the current concerns and together make a plan of support. Individual sessions take place in an engaging playroom. Group sessions are conducted in an open and warm space within the same office.


To learn more about all that we have to offer, keep reading through our site, or contact us with any questions.

Home: About Us

Book Recommendations

Support for Tweens and Teens

At Heartfelt Child Life Services, we support tweens and teens by providing a welcoming teen room and options for support that interests them through games, teen activities, blogs (coming soon), book lists, and many more. Tweens and teens appreciate sessions being private as confidentiality is maintained unless there is a concern about safety.

teens with cancer.jpg
Teen With Skateboard
IMG_6499.JPG
IMG_6513.WEBP
IMG_6514.JPG
Home: House Rules
Home: Text

Contact

Contact us today to find out more about our services, intake process, and pricing.
Michele Martin, MS, CCLS, RWWP Consultant

3407 Red River Street, Austin, Texas 78705

512-461-3638

Thanks for submitting!

Home: Contact

FAQ

Happy to Help

What ages do you serve?

We provide services to children ages 2-18 of all abilities and developmental levels incIuding those with special needs. We provide hands-on activities to support a wide range of abilities.

Are you a therapist or counselor?

We are certified child life specialists with over 25 years of experience that have been trained in child development and family systems. We have extensive knowledge related to the affects of hospitalization and need for continued medical care. We have been trained to use therapeutic techniques through activities and play.

Check out this article by US News and World Report:

7 Facts About Child Life Specialists | Wellness | US News

​

What forms of payment do you accept?

We are currently not on insurance panels. We accept cash, credit card, PayPal, or CashApp.
We're happy to provide a 15 minute complimentary call to assess whether our programming fits your needs.

Home: FAQ
bottom of page