Many families have found that they prefer virtual services, whether due convenience with hectic family schedules, access to quality emotional supports for those who live far from our location, confidentiality concerns, or safety concerns. Online therapy for adults can look similar to in-person options. Fortunately, the pandemic offered us lots of opportunities to practice engagement with children without the usual comfort of in-person services. Virtual therapy can be fun, playful, and engaging too! Virtual therapy for children and families often involves the following:
- Bibliotherapy (learning about emotions and coping through books) and social stories
- Online Sandtray Therapy (in which children create their own little worlds filled with objects to represent and process through emotions
- Games and play activities-many traditional games can be adapted to play through video or online. Some examples include Uno, Impulse Control games like Stop/Go, Freeze Dance, or Simon Says, Feelings Bingo, and more.
- Parent Coaching-Depending on the developmental level and needs, sessions will sometimes include activities parents and children can participate in together to facilitate interaction and emotional regulation.
