Featured media, podcasts,
and publications.

“Reassuring doesn’t always mean providing solutions. Sometimes, it’s providing support. There are some key tips that can be helpful for supporting patients when they’re ready, when they’re asking, ‘What about my kids?’ Like, what are the things when you leave this hospital that your kids are going to see, hear, or notice? That’s a great place to start,” Kelsey Mora, certified child life specialist, licensed clinical professional counselor, and chief clinical officer at Pickles Group, a national nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to children and teens whose parents have cancer, told Jaime Weimer, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BS, AOCNS®, manager of oncology nursing practice at ONS, during a discussion about how oncology nurses can support young families during a parent’s cancer journey.

Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky speaks with Kelsey Mora. Kelsey is a Certified Child Life Specialist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in supporting children and families impacted by medical illness, injury, and grief. She has extensive experience providing individual and group services to children who have a parent with cancer. Kelsey both guides parents and caregivers on how to best support their children and teens as well as creates unique opportunities to help youth make connections, and increase coping and communication throughout a cancer experience. Kelsey works in private practice, is the author of The Dot Method: an interactive tool to teach kids about cancer, and is the Chief Clinical Officer of Pickles Group: a non profit that provides free support and resources to children and teens impacted by their parent’s cancer. On today’s episode, we talk about all aspects of guiding and helping children throughout cancer- this discussion is truly an invaluable resource for anyone with children impacted by cancer.

Ask Dr Jessica episode 128 with Kelsey Mora, a dual certified child life specialist and therapist, discusses her work in supporting children and families facing illness and grief. She shares insights on how to talk to children about cancer diagnoses, emphasizing the importance of using clear and honest language. Kelsey also introduces her book, 'The Dot Method,' which provides a comprehensive guide for children and families navigating cancer. Kelsey's work with the Pickles Group, a nonprofit organization supporting children of adult cancer patients, is also discussed.

Certified Child Life Specialist, Jessica Lewin, talks with friend and seasoned CCLS, Kelsey Mora, about being a dual Certified Child Life Specialist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor as well as her unique work in a non-profit setting. This conversation offers a unique perspective on balancing management of a non-profit organization while seeing a variety of therapy clients for mostly medical needs where she can use her child life lens.

In this episode, Gloria Sherrod has a meaningful conversation with Kelsey Mora, Child Life Specialist and Licensed Therapist. They explore how to discuss a parent's ADHD diagnosis with a child and the importance of sharing a child's diagnosis with them. Additionally, they delve into how individuals with ADHD may process grief differently and how professionals distinguish grief responses from neurodevelopmental conditions.

Did you know that January is Children Impacted by a Parent's Cancer Month? This awareness month was founded by Kesem in 2018, and our guest has dedicated her career to helping kids. Kelsey Mora, a dual-certified child-life specialist and therapist, is also the author of The Dot Method and the Chief Clinical Officer of Pickles Group. As the daughter of a cancer survivor, Sheena has volunteered with Pickles Group since their start and loves the work that Kelsey and Pickles Group are doing to support kids as they navigate what can be a really challenging journey for a family.

In this episode of The Coping Podcast, host Dr. Leigh Weisz sits down with Kelsey Mora, Owner of Kelsey Mora PLLC and Chief Clinical Officer at Pickles Group, to discuss talking to kids about cancer. They explore practical strategies for breaking down complex medical information, the significance of emotional validation and support, and the role of creative, interactive tools in helping children cope with illness.

A child life specialist reflects on the challenges of providing care after a life-changing tragedy.

Featured in Critical Connections, a publication of the Society of Critical Care Medicine

Together with Jessika Boles, Kimberly LaRose, and Caroline Potter - Kelsey Mora writes about the value and role of Certified Child Life Specialists in ICU liberation programs.

Featured in Counseling Today, a publication of the American Counseling Association

Kelsey Mora writes about how to talk with young children about difficult topics such as a new diagnosis, a loss of a pregnancy or loved one, a traumatic injury, or a suicide attempt.

Featured in Pediatric Annals Journal

Kelsey Mora co-authors a piece about the transformation of the Child Life profession and it’s impact on pediatric care.

Featured in Rare Parenting magazine, Kelsey co-authors an article highlighting what parents of children with medical conditions or complex needs can expect from child life services.

Featured in the Motherly Collective, Kelsey writes about how there’s nothing normal about talking to kids about cancer, but unfortunately, it’s rather common. In fact, talking about it can provide kids with a sense of relief that they don’t have to make sense of things on their own.

Kelsey Mora is interviewed as the Chief Clinical Officer at Pickles Group on the topic of helping families parenting in the context of a brain tumor.

”Parents have a lot of concerns, but they want to find ways to love their kids through this hard thing and figure out how to do it thoughtfully,” she says.

Talking to kids about cancer can be one of the hardest things a parent or caregiver faces, but being open and honest is key to helping them cope. In this Q&A, Kelsey connects with Outcomes4Me to share insights on how to navigate these difficult conversations. 

As a dual-certified child life specialist and therapist and the creator of The Method Workbooks to teach kids about topics like cancer and food allergies, Kelsey helps parents lean into difficult conversations. Having them can actually build trust, reduce fear, improve coping, and promote connection.

Here are five phrases emotionally intelligent parents use when navigating difficult talks with their children. 

November is National Caregivers Month - a time to honor the strength and dedication of caregivers, especially parents of kids with cancer.

Kelsey Mora put together some strategies to support caregivers on this journey. From helpful resources to self-care tips, we’re here to help every step of the way.

As a child life specialist and therapist, I help families navigate some of life’s greatest challenges, like a cancer diagnosis, a death, or a community tragedy. 

What I find is that most parents don’t actually want their kids to not have emotions. They wish they could fix things for their kids but more than anything, they want their children to learn how to better express and manage their feelings — to become more emotionally intelligent.