Learn helpful tips on how to use digital counseling products in your telehealth or distance counseling sessions with kids and teens!
Originally published April 10, 2020
Updated on January 28, 2021
Updated on January 28, 2021
Engaging kids in the therapy process can prove challenging. Often times, children are not seeking treatment on their own and are usually "made" to see a counselor due to emotional or behavioral concerns. Due to this, many counselors employ a number of techniques to build rapport and encourage clients to open up and share their feelings. A few interventions involve interactive games or activities that introduce a certain level of fun and excitement into the sessions. Some of these are specifically designed to target social-emotional issues while others help in relationship building with the kid or teen.
Many of these interventions unfortunately are difficult to transfer to the digital space. So what do you do when you can't be face-to-face with clients that might benefit from it most? We've compiled a list of suggestions of ways to use our digital resources to still have engaging and interactive sessions with your clients!
Screen Share
Screen share is a feature that allows a user to share their screen with the person they are communicating with virtually. It allows you and the client to view the same resources, applications, or videos during the session. Most telehealth and virtual communication platforms have this feature available for its users. Some platforms allow for both you and the client to be able to share the screen while using a laptop or computer.
See below for directions on how to access screen share on a number of different telehealth platforms.
Many of these interventions unfortunately are difficult to transfer to the digital space. So what do you do when you can't be face-to-face with clients that might benefit from it most? We've compiled a list of suggestions of ways to use our digital resources to still have engaging and interactive sessions with your clients!
Screen Share
Screen share is a feature that allows a user to share their screen with the person they are communicating with virtually. It allows you and the client to view the same resources, applications, or videos during the session. Most telehealth and virtual communication platforms have this feature available for its users. Some platforms allow for both you and the client to be able to share the screen while using a laptop or computer.
See below for directions on how to access screen share on a number of different telehealth platforms.
Using Digital Products
Reviewing Handouts
At Mylemarks, we consider a handout to be an informational and psycho-educational resource. It is mainly designed to be read and reviewed with the client and does not include writing, circling, or drawing.
At Mylemarks, we consider a handout to be an informational and psycho-educational resource. It is mainly designed to be read and reviewed with the client and does not include writing, circling, or drawing.
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Telehealth Use
A handout can be opened on a device and screen-shared with a client. When this is shared, both you and the client are able to view the document and review it just as you would during an in-person session. This allows you to still be able to ask prompting questions and process with the client while allowing them something visual to hold their attention. Examples of our handouts include: Starting a Conversation Dealing with Feeling FRUSTRATED Should I Post This? |
Fillable Worksheets
A large number of our worksheets are now "fillable" and "clickable" which means that they can be completed electronically by your client and do not require printing. These worksheets contain an [F] in the resource title. Visit here to read more about using our fillable worksheets.
A large number of our worksheets are now "fillable" and "clickable" which means that they can be completed electronically by your client and do not require printing. These worksheets contain an [F] in the resource title. Visit here to read more about using our fillable worksheets.
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Telehealth Use
The fillable worksheet can be sent electronically to your client via email. It can then be opened on their device during session and be screen-shared with you. When this is shared, you and the client are able to review the resource, and you can see in real time as your client is completing is typing and clicking on the worksheet. You are also able to be the one to screen share the resource with your client and document their answers as they are sharing it with you. Completed worksheets can also be saved directly to a device where it can be accessed and updated at a later time. |
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Examples of our fillable worksheets include: Say This! (Grief) and I Love Being Me
This also includes a few of our clickable assessments such as Is It a Problem? (Video Games) and the Social Skills Checklist.
This also includes a few of our clickable assessments such as Is It a Problem? (Video Games) and the Social Skills Checklist.
Google Slides Worksheets
Google Slides has many unique tools and features that allow for collaboration and enhanced interactions during telehealth sessions or virtual meetings. One of the prominent features is the ability for multiple users to view and complete a worksheet or activity in real-time - without the need to share a screen. While meeting virtually with a client, you are both able to access the file and can type or move pieces within that document. Slides users have the ability to drag-and-drop, create and type answers into text boxes, draw lines and shapes, upload images, insert video and audio, and more! Google Slides is available to users with Gmail/Google Workspace access or accounts.
Google Slides has many unique tools and features that allow for collaboration and enhanced interactions during telehealth sessions or virtual meetings. One of the prominent features is the ability for multiple users to view and complete a worksheet or activity in real-time - without the need to share a screen. While meeting virtually with a client, you are both able to access the file and can type or move pieces within that document. Slides users have the ability to drag-and-drop, create and type answers into text boxes, draw lines and shapes, upload images, insert video and audio, and more! Google Slides is available to users with Gmail/Google Workspace access or accounts.
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Telehealth Use
Our worksheets and games that open in Google Slides will have a (GS) in the title. In your download, you will receive a PDF of the worksheet, and on this resource will be a link to open a copy of the worksheet in Google Slides. 
Examples of our worksheets that open in Google Slides include Why We Don't Get Along and Positive Affirmations.
Visit here to learn more about using our resources in Google Slides including how to share the resources with your clients. |
Draw & Paint
There are certain digital resources that may involve drawing or coloring. These resources can still be used with a client by using a default Paint program or using a two-way drawing board such as Google Jamboard. The resource will need to be converted to an image file in order to be uploaded and completed.
There are certain digital resources that may involve drawing or coloring. These resources can still be used with a client by using a default Paint program or using a two-way drawing board such as Google Jamboard. The resource will need to be converted to an image file in order to be uploaded and completed.
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Telehealth Use
To convert to an image file, take a screenshot of the document and save it as a picture a JPEG or PNG file. Once completed, it can then be uploaded into a paint software or a collaborative drawing board. Examples of our worksheets to Paint/Draw include: My Cup-O-Feelings Feelings Faces (Draw) Feelings Activity Pack Additional Telehealth Interventions An additional intervention that can be used with any paint or drawing software is by asking your clients to draw their answers to questions you may ask them. For example, you can ask them to draw the best part of their week or what they are looking forward to the most. Download our FREE 30 "Iffy" Questions worksheet for ice-breaker drawing prompts to use with clients! Art therapy prompts can also be completed using paint and draw software as well. |
Digital Games & Activities
Games are great way to keep clients engaged during session. There are a number of online multiplayer games that allow the creation of private rooms where you and your client are able to compete against each other while in session. On our website, we offer interactive digital games and activities that can be used virtually. These games are currently made interactive through the use of fillable PDFs or Google Slides. Upon purchase, you will receive your PDF download which will include a link for gameplay with easy-to-use instructions.
Benefits of our Digital Games:
*Instant download (your game becomes accessible as soon as you purchase - no shipping involved)
*Collaborative game play (games can be played virtually with clients during distance counseling)
*No need for printing and cutting (low prep required to begin playing with clients)
*Colorful graphics and illustrations (appealing designs to keep clients engaged)
*Fun and creative gameplay (teach important social-emotional concepts to clients while keeping them entertained)
See our collection of Digital Games and Activities below:
Games are great way to keep clients engaged during session. There are a number of online multiplayer games that allow the creation of private rooms where you and your client are able to compete against each other while in session. On our website, we offer interactive digital games and activities that can be used virtually. These games are currently made interactive through the use of fillable PDFs or Google Slides. Upon purchase, you will receive your PDF download which will include a link for gameplay with easy-to-use instructions.
Benefits of our Digital Games:
*Instant download (your game becomes accessible as soon as you purchase - no shipping involved)
*Collaborative game play (games can be played virtually with clients during distance counseling)
*No need for printing and cutting (low prep required to begin playing with clients)
*Colorful graphics and illustrations (appealing designs to keep clients engaged)
*Fun and creative gameplay (teach important social-emotional concepts to clients while keeping them entertained)
See our collection of Digital Games and Activities below:
Mylemarks also offers downloadable games and activities that require printing and cutting which work best with in-person use. See our collection here!
Social-Emotional Videos
Videos are an additional way to keep kids engaged during session. They can be a great teaching tool and can be used for processing and discussion.
Videos are an additional way to keep kids engaged during session. They can be a great teaching tool and can be used for processing and discussion.
Telehealth Use
With the use of screen share, you are able to access YouTube to view our social-emotional learning videos and watch along with the client. You can use these videos as psychoeducational tool to provide information and spark discussion. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified whenever we upload a new video!
With the use of screen share, you are able to access YouTube to view our social-emotional learning videos and watch along with the client. You can use these videos as psychoeducational tool to provide information and spark discussion. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified whenever we upload a new video!
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