About

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Kim O'Leary, experienced child life specialist and trained by The Dougy Center, The National Grief Center for Children and Families, devotes her time to advocating for and supporting families at critical times during illness, loss, crisis, and change.  Through education, preparation, compassionate communication, expressive play and activities, and developmental support, Kim helps children and families face life challenges. Through facilitating opportunities to increase coping and comfort, Kim aims to decrease the negative impacts that these experiences can have on children, teens, young adults, and families.

Kim has 25 years of extensive specialized training and "hands on" experience through accredited institutions such as Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, community cancer and bereavement centers, as well as with school mental health programs, and camps.  She has assisted children and families with support for new diagnosis, treatments, crisis, palliative care, end of life, and bereavement support.  Kim has facilitated support groups and provided individual support sessions for:

- Cancer in the family

- Loving someone with a chronic illness

- Children and teens with a chronic illness

- Teen, pre-teen, school age and preschool grief groups

- Survivors of suicide / homicide support

- Infant loss support groups

- Foster family loss and change

- Alternative school student support

- Separation due to incarceration and addiction

In addition to professional experience, she is a devoted mother and cancer survivor who knows first-hand the value of preparation and ongoing psychosocial and emotional support for the child and family.

Through BandAids & Butterflies, Kim strives to continue helping children, teens, families and the community prepare for, process, and successfully cope with stressful life events and unexpected change.