Telehealth has changed the way therapists connect with clients. Whether individual counseling, family therapy, or child-focused interventions, online sessions can be both effective and engaging. This article explores some of the best telehealth ideas for therapy, offering practical and creative ways to make remote sessions more interactive and beneficial for clients. These ideas will help therapists enhance their practice and engage clients during virtual sessions.
The Benefits of Telehealth in Therapy
The move to telehealth has made therapy more accessible for clients, offering flexibility and convenience that in-person sessions may lack. This shift also challenges therapists to adapt their methods to suit a virtual environment, which can initially be daunting. Yet, telehealth therapy can be as impactful as traditional sessions with the right tools and strategies.
Clients can explore therapy without travel-related barriers from the comfort of their own homes. They can access services even when personal schedules are tight. Moreover, telehealth allows for new, creative approaches that transform therapy into a tailored experience. Bask Health sees telehealth as an opportunity to build meaningful connections in innovative ways.
Incorporating Telehealth Ideas for Therapy to Enhance Engagement
When planning telehealth therapy, it is essential to use methods that engage clients. Different activities work better for different ages and mental states, so experimenting with various techniques helps determine what suits best for each client. Below, we explore several engaging telehealth ideas for therapy that therapists can use during online sessions.
Using Technology-Based Telehealth Therapy Activities
Technology is the foundation of telehealth, and by incorporating tech-based activities, therapists can make virtual therapy more interactive and enriching for clients.
- Virtual Therapy Activities with Online Tools
Online tools like shared whiteboards or drawing apps can enhance virtual therapy activities. Clients and therapists can brainstorm on these platforms, and visualize thoughts and emotions. Programs like Google Jamboard are easy to use and allow clients to interact in real time by drawing, placing sticky notes, and highlighting ideas. These activities work well for many kinds of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family sessions, and child-focused counseling.
Another useful tech-based activity involves using video-conferencing features like screen sharing. By sharing videos, images, or reading materials, therapists can make discussions more relatable and visual for clients. These features help explain concepts that may otherwise be challenging to convey through words alone. For younger clients, a short video clip can serve as a conversation starter or a way to illustrate a challenging concept, making online therapy activities more engaging.
- Incorporating Telehealth Activities with Games
Games are a great way to promote engagement during telehealth sessions. Various therapy games on Zoom, such as Pictionary, trivia, or emotion charades, can break down barriers and encourage clients to express themselves. In particular, younger clients are more likely to open up and share their thoughts when a session involves fun, interactive therapy activities.
Platforms like Kahoot! or Skribbl.io are ideal for playing games that promote emotional expression and enhance communication skills. For adult clients, games that involve role-playing scenarios or simulations can be highly effective, especially in developing coping mechanisms or communication strategies.
Creative Approaches to Telehealth Ideas for Therapy
Thinking creatively is essential for telehealth therapy. Although the virtual format can limit some traditional in-person methods, it opens up possibilities for new activities.
Art and Music-Based Therapy for Virtual Sessions
One way to encourage creative expression during telehealth sessions is by using art-based activities. Encourage clients to create artwork with supplies they have at home and then share and discuss it during the session. Even clients who are not naturally inclined toward art can benefit from the nonverbal expression it allows. These online therapy activities can be highly effective for those who struggle to articulate their thoughts.
Music-based therapy activities can also be very beneficial. Creating playlists together or analyzing a song’s lyrics can prompt insightful discussions and emotional exploration. Interactive tools like Spotify make it easy for therapists to share music with clients during virtual sessions, encouraging the same level of engagement that an in-person music therapy session would provide.
Movement and Relaxation Activities in Telehealth Therapy
When talking about telehealth ideas for therapy, movement is often overlooked. Yet, physical activity can be very effective for both children and adults. Simple yoga poses, stretching, or mindful breathing can be done virtually. For children, movement-based therapy activities for 10-year-olds could include dancing to a favorite song or participating in a virtual scavenger hunt where they find specific items around their home.
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) can also be effective in virtual sessions, helping clients manage anxiety and stress. Guiding clients through each muscle group while they describe their sensations helps foster relaxation.
Telehealth Ideas for Therapy with Specific Client Populations
Different clients have different needs, and telehealth activities should be adjusted to meet those needs accordingly. Here are some ideas for specific populations.
Telehealth Therapy Activities for Children
Children may need highly engaging activities to maintain their attention during virtual sessions. Younger clients, such as 10-year-olds, thrive when the therapy is interactive and fun. Activities like “Show and Tell” allow children to share something special from their home environment, creating an easy way to open up and discuss their feelings.
- Therapy Activities for 10-Year-Olds
When working with children around 10, games like scavenger hunts and “Two Truths and a Lie” are perfect for encouraging fun and emotional sharing. For children who experience anxiety, sensory activities like having them describe a favorite item in great detail can help ground them and give therapists valuable insight into their coping strategies.
Interactive activities such as drawing, storytelling, and building together using LEGO bricks are also helpful tools for this age group. During virtual therapy, these telehealth activities provide self-expression outlets that can reveal underlying emotions.
Telehealth Ideas for Therapy with Adults and Families
Telehealth offers opportunities for both individual and family sessions. Virtual family therapy sessions can include activities like a gratitude circle, where each member expresses something positive about one another. This telehealth idea for therapy encourages empathy and helps strengthen family relationships.
- Addressing Specific Concerns with Adults
Focusing on specific issues like stress, relationship concerns, or career challenges can be beneficial for adult clients. Interactive activities such as guided meditations or role-playing exercises help clients practice responses to real-life scenarios they may be facing.
Virtual Therapy Activities for Couples
Couples therapy can also be effectively conducted through telehealth. An activity such as “Love Maps”—where partners answer questions about each other's likes, dislikes, and dreams—promotes better understanding and empathy. Virtual sessions can also incorporate reflective exercises that help couples understand their partner’s emotions and intentions.
Utilizing Telehealth Platforms Effectively for Engaging Sessions
The success of telehealth sessions depends largely on how well therapists use the platform. Therapists can keep their clients connected and engaged by choosing the right telehealth technology and applying effective techniques.
Choosing the Right Telehealth Platforms
Selecting the right telehealth platform is crucial. A secure, user-friendly interface that allows for screen sharing, breakout rooms, and other interactive features can significantly improve session quality. At Bask Health, we understand the importance of having access to intuitive and adaptable technology, enabling therapists to focus on what truly matters: their clients.
- Leveraging Platform Features for Interactive Therapy Activities
To make the most of telehealth platforms, therapists should use features like breakout rooms for group activities, polls to gauge emotional responses, and annotation tools to work collaboratively. By familiarizing themselves with these features, therapists can create an experience close to in-person therapy.
Ensuring Privacy and Comfort During Telehealth Therapy
Privacy is a fundamental concern for telehealth therapy. The client’s comfort with the setting is crucial for engagement. For example, therapists should provide clients with guidelines on creating a quiet, private space in their homes. Moreover, establishing clear boundaries about interruptions or potential distractions can mimic an environment that mirrors an in-office session.
Alt image text: Bask - Telehealth platform logo over Earth view from space.
Maintaining Therapeutic Progress Through Telehealth Activities
Therapists may wonder if progress in therapy can be maintained through telehealth. The answer is yes—as long as creativity and adaptability are present. Here are some ways to maintain therapeutic momentum.
Tracking Client Progress in Telehealth Sessions
Tracking a client’s progress is essential for both in-person and telehealth sessions. Using a shared online journal or a progress-tracking app can help therapists and clients stay on top of therapeutic goals during online therapy. Setting small, achievable goals that can be revisited in each session keeps the process focused and purposeful.
- Addressing Challenges During Virtual Therapy Sessions
Challenges in virtual therapy are common, particularly regarding technology failures or clients feeling disconnected. A helpful telehealth idea for therapy is to have a contingency plan for tech-related issues, such as agreeing to switch to a phone call if the video fails. Another approach is regularly checking in on how clients feel about telehealth and whether adjustments can be made to improve the experience.
Games to Play with Clients During Telehealth Sessions
Games are powerful tools for making therapy more engaging and fun. Even for adult clients, games can serve as excellent conversation starters or ways to practice skills such as empathy or assertiveness.
Therapy Games to Play on Zoom
Zoom allows therapists to use several fun and impactful therapy games. Games like “Feelings Bingo,” where clients mark off emotions they experience during a week, or “Emotion Charades,” can help individuals express what they are feeling and why. These types of telehealth therapy activities build self-awareness and help clients better understand their emotional landscape.
- Games for Children and Adolescents
Activities like “Simon Says” or “Pictionary” encourage communication and cooperation for children. Adolescents may enjoy “Would You Rather?” as it encourages sharing and allows the therapist to gain insight into their thought processes. Therapists can use Zoom’s annotation feature during Pictionary, allowing children to draw directly on the shared screen. This interactive activity makes therapy fun and encourages creativity and communication.
Addressing Emotional Needs Through Telehealth Therapy
One key benefit of telehealth therapy is its ability to help clients connect emotionally, even across physical distances. By employing the right telehealth ideas, therapists can ensure their clients’ emotional needs are met.
Practicing Mindfulness and Meditation Remotely
Mindfulness and meditation are particularly effective tools for managing anxiety and stress. Therapists can guide clients through breathing exercises, body scans, or mindfulness practices during telehealth sessions. By using simple props, such as a candle or an essential oil diffuser, clients can further enhance the experience from home.
- Using Visualization Techniques
Visualization exercises are another effective way to address emotional needs. Therapists can guide clients to visualize calming environments or positive experiences. These exercises are particularly helpful for clients dealing with trauma or anxiety, allowing them to create a mental “safe space” that they can return to whenever needed.
Conclusion: Transforming Therapy Through Telehealth
Telehealth offers a new frontier for therapy, providing accessibility and flexibility for clients and therapists alike. While telehealth poses challenges, it opens up many possibilities for creativity, connection, and engagement. By applying a range of telehealth ideas for therapy—such as games, art, music, and mindfulness activities—therapists can ensure they continue providing meaningful and effective care to their clients.
At Bask Health, we are committed to helping therapists navigate the world of telehealth with the support they need to make virtual therapy sessions engaging and impactful. By embracing technology, thinking creatively, and putting clients at the center of care, therapists can ensure that telehealth becomes an alternative and an enhancement to traditional therapy practices.