Layer 1: Software Tools

AhaSlides

I use AhaSlides for digital check-ins, word clouds, polls, reflection prompts, scavenger hunts, and to create a predictable session structure so families and adolescents always know the flow. It helps increase engagement, supports anonymity, and makes telehealth feel active rather than passive.

Canva

Canva is where I design clean, warm visuals, session agendas, icons, celebration slides, worksheets, and color-based therapy cues (like wearing a client’s favorite color to celebrate a win). Canva also supports visual aids that help neurodivergent clients stay focused and oriented.

Screen Sharing

Screen sharing encourages collaboration by letting teens and families show their world, share media, co-create content, and feel more in control during telehealth sessions.

Visual Agendas

Visual agendas give clients a sense of predictability and safety. They help reduce anxiety, set expectations, and support the rhythm and flow within each session.

Layer 2: Creative Prompts

Object Storytelling

Clients choose an object from their space to represent how they’re feeling or what they’re experiencing. It’s a low-pressure way to build connection, spark conversation, and model gentle vulnerability.

Song Rotation Check-Ins

I often ask about the music they’re currently listening to or a song that matches how they want sessions to feel. This builds rapport through culture, identity, mood, and rhythm—especially with adolescents who may connect more easily through music than direct “feelings talk.”

Holistic Micro-Questions

Simple questions like “What’s your favorite color right now?”, “What food are you craving?”, “What’s in your music rotation?”, “What are you watching?”, or “What smell reminds you of home?” bypass resistance and open meaningful conversation without feeling like an interrogation.

Humor

I use humor intentionally to lower defenses, humanize the therapist, regulate the nervous system, and make sessions feel safe and relatable—especially important for adolescents and stressed families.

Wearing Clients’ Favorite Colors to Celebrate Wins

Showing up in a client’s favorite color when celebrating a therapy victory is a small but powerful relational gesture that communicates: “You matter. I see you. I remember you. I’m proud of your progress.”

Scavenger Hunts

Short, energetic scavenger hunts—asking clients to find something in their space—are great for breaking tension, increasing embodiment, building quick wins, and keeping online sessions engaging and fun.

Layer 3: Aesthetics & Presence

Warm Tones

I use soft, grounding colors in slides and visuals to reduce visual overload and make the telehealth space feel welcoming rather than clinical or harsh.

Clean Visuals

Minimal text, thoughtful icons, and clear imagery support comprehension, reduce overwhelm, and help clients stay with the material instead of getting lost in cluttered screens.

Predictable Session Rhythm

I alternate between brief teaching, interactive engagement, reflection, and pacing breaks. This predictable rhythm helps families and teens feel held by the structure and know what to expect.

Modeling Vulnerability

I intentionally model small, appropriate moments of vulnerability—sharing reflections, using gentle humor, or naming my own humanity—to normalize emotional openness and create psychological safety.

Shared Screen Moments

Co-creating content, reviewing prompts together, or watching something side-by-side turns telehealth into a shared experience rather than a passive one where clients just “sit and get.”

Music and Rhythm

I weave in musical references and rhythm—through playlists, song prompts, or simply pacing—to mirror the tone of the session, regulate energy, and meet clients where they naturally connect.