Rachel Hanners, M.S.
Lecturer
Department of Child and Family Development
SDSU
Bio
I am a full-time Certified Child Life Specialist at Rady Children's Hospital. I utilize child development and family systems theories to facilitate support services that build coping skills during and after hospitalization. These services include procedural preparation and direct procedural support, diagnostic teachings that address misconceptions, and therapeutic interventions that allow opportunities for emotional expression. Over the years I have built clinical experience in both independent children's hospitals such as Rady Children's and adult hospitals that serve pediatric populations such as Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys. During these experiences, I have provided my services to siblings of pediatric patients as well as children of adult patients. In addition to my clinical work, I supervise students interested in the field and present the benefits of the Child Life practice to new-hire multidisciplinary colleagues. I value treating every patient, family member, colleague, and student I interact with as capable and competent. I am incredibly excited to continue sharing the benefits of Child Life and family centered care in this academic space.
Outside of work, I love being in nature and discovering new coffee shops. I spend all of my money on concert tickets. I am learning that I love to cook now that I make the time to follow the actual recipes. I have a mischievous cat named Benito who makes my heart smile every day. I intend to continue guiding my life through this quote, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."
Education
- Master of Science, Child Life, University of LaVerne
- Bachelor of Science, Child and Adolescent Development, Minor: Health Science, California State University, Fullerton