Our Mission
Bridge to Bravery was founded with a bold vision—to expand the reach of Child Life Services beyond hospital walls and into the heart of our East Tennessee community. We believe that every child is born with a rich and unique emotional world, but not always with the tools to navigate it. That’s where we come in.
At Bridge to Bravery, our mission is to bridge the gap between big feelings and healthy coping. We strive to equip children and families with the skills, support, and resilience they need to face life’s challenges—so they don’t just survive, but truly thrive.
We are passionate about meeting children where they are—in schools, in support groups, in communities—and creating safe spaces for emotional growth and healing. Through therapeutic play, education, and emotional support, we help children develop lifelong coping skills that foster confidence, connection, and hope.
We want families to know that joy and sorrow can coexist, and even in the midst of struggle, there is room for healing, growth, and joy.
Our
Name
"Bridge to Bravery was named during a late-night moment of clarity for our team. We know that bridges can feel dangerous and overwhelming. The other side can feel far away.
That first courageous step is where our work begins."
As Certified Child Life Specialists —and Coping Consultants— we join you on the scariest of bridges. We don’t swoop in like caped heroes, nor do we carry your family effortlessly to the other side. Instead, we lock arms with you, lift you back onto unsteady boards, and teach you where it is safe to step next. Together we re-thread ropes, replace planks, and build a lasting emotional safety net so that, if you slip again, you won’t fall far.
Our broken world brings illness, uncomfortable transitions, and uncertainty. Our specialty is normalizing the brokenness: preventing medical trauma, easing pain through non-pharmacological techniques, and designing developmentally appropriate interventions that let children feel mastery over their experiences. And we PLAY—because
play is a child’s native language and a potent path to healing. We assess each child’s
unique needs and create therapeutic play experiences that restore confidence and joy.
We see you. We are with you. We are for you. Bridging families to bravery is our highest honor.
