Alisha Saavedra, MA

Assistant Professor, Counseling and Family Sciences
Director of Clinical Training, Child Life Specialist MS Program

Contact Information

Email asaavedra@llu.edu
Phone 909-558-4547, ext. 47225
Fax 909-558-0417

Department of Counseling Family Sciences
Loma Linda University, Griggs Hall, Office 225
11065 Campus St., Loma Linda, CA  92350

Degree and Certifications

  • MA, Psychology (emphasis in Child Development) - California State University, San Bernardino, 2009
  • Certificate, National Bereavement Facilitator I - American Academy of Bereavement, 2003
  • Certificate, Child Life Specialist - Child Life Council, 2000

Areas of Specialization

  • Child development
  • Stress and coping in the hospital environment
  • Grief and loss
  • Clinical training and supervision
  • Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in child life

Professional Memberships

  • Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP)

Recent Publications and Presentations

Presentations

  • Saavedra, A. "Communicating with Hospitalized Children and Their Families." 2nd Annual Jingling International Pediatric Nurse Forum. Nanjing, P.R. China. September 2, 2019.

Community Engagement

  • Internship Accreditation Reviewer for the Association of Child Life Professionals (2016-present)
  • Faculty Liaison for CFS Student Advisory Committee (2015-present)
  • Annual Teddy Bear Clinic, Redlands, CA (2012-present)
  • Annual LLU Child Life Symposium, Co-Host, Loma Linda University (2011-present)
  • Cal State University, San Bernardino, Course HD 303, Guest Lecture: "What is Child Life?" (2008-present)
  • Camp Good Grief, support staff/counselor/clinical supervisor (2001-present)
  • Annual Children's Day Staff/Clinical Supervisor, Loma Linda, CA (1999-present)
  • Children's Disaster Services (Child Life Disaster Relief), trained volunteer (April 2016)
  • SIMS team member at Universidad Adventista de Bolivia, providing health fairs and teddy bear clinics (March 2015)
  • Family Grief Support Group/Workshop, Clinical Supervisor, Behavioral Health Institute (2012-2014)
  • Health Fair, Loma Linda, CA (2010-2011)