Virtual Coaching Tips for Engaging Teens
In a recent interview, clinical psychologist Dr. Will Dobud shared strategies for effectively coaching teens via telehealth. He stressed building trust before problem-solving and using open-ended questions to foster engagement. Dobud also advocated for brief, structured parent check-ins to provide families with actionable, bite-sized strategies to implement at home.
Dr. Will Dobud holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Social Work, and is a senior lecturer in social work at Charles Sturt University in Australia. His research focuses on improving therapy outcomes for adolescents, outdoor and adventure therapies, and feedback-informed treatment. He is the co-author of books such as "Solution-Focused Practice in Outdoor Therapy" and "Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health." The shift to telehealth for adolescent mental health has been significant, with usage surging since 2020. By the end of 2021, telehealth accounted for approximately 30% of all mental health claims, a substantial increase from pre-pandemic levels. The average number of telehealth sessions for young people grew from 2.3 per year in 2019 to 8.7 in 2022, demonstrating a rapid adoption of virtual care. For neurodiverse teens, particularly those with ADHD, virtual coaching offers distinct advantages like greater comfort and reduced stigma. Effective engagement strategies in a virtual setting include using multiple formats like text, audio, and video, as well as interactive tools such as polls and quizzes to maintain focus. Breaking down content into smaller segments and providing clear, visual instructions are also key to preventing cognitive overload. Creating a structured and distraction-free home environment is crucial for successful virtual coaching for teens with executive function challenges. Coaches can guide families in setting up organized study spaces and implementing technology management plans to limit online distractions during sessions. This structured approach helps in developing better time management and organizational skills. Parent coaching is a critical component of supporting teens with ADHD and can be delivered effectively online. Virtual parent training programs, some based on models like Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), provide caregivers with evidence-based strategies to manage behavior, reduce conflict, and strengthen the parent-child relationship. The "body doubling" technique, where the coach works alongside the student in a quiet, virtual co-working space, can be particularly effective for initiating tasks. Simple routines, such as a two-minute starting ritual or using visible timers for study sprints, can also help students with ADHD build momentum and reduce resistance to tasks. While virtual coaching offers accessibility, disparities in access remain. Youth from lower-income families and those with public health insurance are less likely to receive video-based mental health care. Ensuring equitable access to the necessary technology and private spaces for sessions is an ongoing challenge. Research indicates that for many teens, telehealth can be as effective as in-person care, especially for conditions like anxiety and depression. The digital format often feels more natural to tech-savvy adolescents, which can facilitate a stronger therapeutic rapport and more open communication.
