Deanna Gouvia
Fall River,MA
Summary
Certified Child Life Specialist with 8+ years of experience supporting the developmental and psychosocial needs of children and their families through therapeutic play, procedural preparation, and family-centered care across pediatric hospital and early intervention settings. Experienced collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, developing individualized care plans, educating caregivers, and helping children cope with medical experiences. Passionate about supporting medically complex children and improving the patient and family experience.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Developmental Specialist
Thom Child and Family Services
Norwood, MA
06.2021 - Current
- Raises awareness of the child life profession by means of in-service trainings, establishing a child life consult area, and advocating for family centered care
- Provides developmental and psychosocial support to assigned clients, siblings, and families through therapeutic play, preparation, medical play, and facilitating coping
- Coaches caregivers on how to use strategies and activities to encourage their child's growth and development
- Works alongside caregivers to identify and access resources within their family unit as well as the community at large
- Manages a caseload of up to 30 clients birth to three years old
Child Life Specialist
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Boston, MA
12.2022 - 12.2023
- Assessed developmental and psychosocial needs of patients to create a plan of care
- Utilized medical play and preparation strategies with children and families before testing to increase autonomy and mastery and to decrease anxiety and the need for repeats tests
- Provided developmentally appropriate interventions during tests and procedures to keep patients engaged and encourage the use of coping skills
- Supported parents and caregivers with resources, early intervention referrals, and connection to other families when their newborn is diagnosed with hearing loss
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team of Otolaryngologists, Audiologists, Speech Therapist, and Teacher of the Deaf to provide comprehensive care to each patient
Developmental Specialist
South Bay Community Services
Swansea, MA
07.2018 - 05.2021
- Gave an informational child life training for two site locations
- Created a child life consult area for the multidisciplinary team to utilize
- Partnered with families to support the development of children birth to three
- Conducted formal and informal assessments of child development in all domains
- Collaborated with caregivers to create Individualized Family Service Plan
- Supported families in the transition process from early intervention to public school services
Intern
Boston Children's Museum
Boston, MA
01.2018 - 05.2018
- 200-hour Child Life internship: Child Development/Health and Wellness Intern
- Planned and facilitated play activities for children and adults of various ages, genders, cultures, abilities, and interests using universal design for learning
- Developed and delivered a staff training/resource guide on play and initiating interactions
- Designed, coordinated, implemented, and facilitated the Boston Children's Museum Message in a Milk Bottle community project
- Worked with the grant director to apply for grants to fund additional inclusive and accessible programs
- Supported family's play, adjustment, and coping during Morningstar Access programs
- Collaborated with Child Development team on exhibit evaluation and renovation process
- Internship completed in conjunction with child life courses: Child Life Program Development & Internship Seminar II
Intern
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, MA
09.2017 - 12.2017
- 400-hour Child Life internship: Radiology/Fluoroscopy & Surgical Orthopedic Inpatient floor
- Provided procedural preparation and facilitated coping during stressful events
- Communicated with the multidisciplinary team to create a plan of care
- Assessed development, coping skills, psychosocial concerns, and family needs
- Prioritized patient care needs based on assessments and information obtained at rounds
- Used play to encourage development, normalization, self-expression, and mastery
- Planned and implemented therapeutic activities to promote development and coping
- Internship completed in conjunction with child life courses: Clinical Issues in Child Life & Internship Seminar I
Education
Master of Science - Child Life and Family Studies
Wheelock College
Boston, MA05-2018
Bachelor of Science - Counseling Psychology
Wheelock College
Boston, MA05-2017
Skills
- Family-centered care
- Medical preparation
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Therapeutic play
- Organizational skills
- Relationship building
- Team collaboration
- Documentation and record keeping
Certification
- Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium co-presenter May 2025
- Association of Child Life Professionals: Mentorship Program-Mentee 2024
- Certified Educator of Infant Massage 2022-Current
- CPR/First Aid Certification 2024-Current
- Child Life Certification 2018-Current
Timeline
Child Life Specialist
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
12.2022 - 12.2023
Developmental Specialist
Thom Child and Family Services
06.2021 - Current
Developmental Specialist
South Bay Community Services
07.2018 - 05.2021
Intern
Boston Children's Museum
01.2018 - 05.2018
Intern
Boston Children's Hospital
09.2017 - 12.2017
Bachelor of Science - Counseling Psychology
Wheelock College
Master of Science - Child Life and Family Studies
Wheelock College