Telehealth Session Plan: Building Trust with a 13-Year-Old Male Interested in Video Games
Session Overview
This telehealth session is designed to last 45 minutes and aims to build trust with a 13-year-old male client who has an interest in video games. Establishing rapport is crucial at this stage to foster open communication. The session will incorporate elements of active listening, shared interests, and engaging activities to strengthen the therapeutic relationship.
Objectives
- To build rapport and trust with the client.
- To explore the client’s interest in video games as a means of connection.
- To create a safe and open environment for discussion.
Materials Needed
- A quiet space with reliable internet connection.
- Video conferencing software (Zoom, Skype, etc.).
- Optional: Visual aids related to video games (screenshots, game trailers, etc.).
Session Outline
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Greeting and Check-in:
- Welcome the client warmly.
- Ask about their week and if there’s anything exciting they’d like to share.
- Session Purpose Explanation:
- Briefly explain the purpose of the session: "Today, we're just going to chat and get to know each other better."
2. Building Rapport Through Shared Interests (10 minutes)
- Icebreaker Questions:
- Ask about the client’s favorite video games and why they enjoy them.
- Questions to consider:
- "What game are you currently playing?"
- "Who do you usually play with, friends or family?"
- Active Listening:
- Reflect back on what the client shares, showing interest and validation.
- Example: "That game sounds really fun! What do you like most about it?"
3. Exploring Gaming Culture (15 minutes)
- Discussion about Gaming:
- Delve deeper into the client's gaming preferences.
- Prompt them to talk about:
- Favorite gaming genres.
- Role models or popular streamers they follow.
- Connecting to Emotions:
- Ask how gaming makes them feel.
- Explore if gaming has affected their social life or self-esteem.
- Example question: "How do you feel when you achieve something in a game?"
4. Creating a Safe Space (10 minutes)
- Establishing Trust:
- Discuss the importance of trust in the therapeutic relationship.
- Encourage clients to express their thoughts openly and reassure them of confidentiality.
- Interactive Activity:
- Play a quick online game (or discuss a game’s mechanics) to engage the client and break down barriers.
- Example: "Would you like to share your screen and show me your favorite part of a game?"
5. Wrap-Up and Future Goals (5 minutes)
- Reflection:
- Ask the client what they enjoyed most about the session.
- Discuss any topics they would like to explore in future sessions.
- Closing:
- Thank the client for sharing and express enthusiasm for your next meeting.
- Reiterate that the space is always safe for them to express themselves.
Follow-Up
- Post-Session Notes:
- Document key points from the session, noting areas of interest and emotional responses.
- Plan for next session based on topics that arose during the discussion.
Conclusion
Building trust with a young client who enjoys video games can create a productive therapeutic relationship. By incorporating their interests, maintaining open communication, and providing a safe space for discussion, the session can establish a strong foundation for future interactions.