The Beginnings
I began my health care journey over 20 years ago completing my Bachelor of Occupational Therapy where I specialised in Mental Health care and worked in a variety of community settings. Following this, I gained my Diploma of Education and began my teaching career. I always loved working with children and found a particular draw to working with children who had additional needs. Wanting to combine both my Occupational Therapy and Education skills, I began working at the Royal Children’s Hospital as a Child Life Therapist. It was here that I found my passion!
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After my initial training, I moved into working with the Cardiac Department with infants, children and young people who were impacted by Childhood-Onset Heart Disease. I saw firsthand the challenges faced by these amazing little people and their families who were coping with tremendous stress, pressure and uncertainty. Here I developed my skills in assessment and developmentally appropriate engagement and education. I worked with children and their families in providing procedural preparation, planning and support through medical and therapeutic play.
Often despite the hard work of health care teams in the hospital, children can experience distress sometimes resulting in medical related trauma. When patients were discharged and came back in for review, parents would often ask me, ‘what now?' They were reporting difficulties in the child’s coping and emotional regulation following medical interventions. I was able to provide some advice, however I was unable to continue the work that I knew would benefit these children in the community.
And this is how Healing Hearts Beyond has been established...To provide ongoing care for children with medical conditions. To optimise support prior to medical encounters, to provide support plans and coping tools and resources that may help their experience. To provide after care when dealing with medical trauma through play-based interventions. To support new parents on how to help their infants through their medical journey. To support families and siblings in their understanding and a safe place to come together and explore big feelings. It is a passion that I have, and I feel incredibly lucky and in awe of the phenomenal little people and families that I have been involved with and continue to work with.
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Founder and Director, Kate Strickland.