Telehealth Activity: Nature Cams

I have talked before about using pets in telehealth sessions, and Felicia Nubivn shared how she created a butterfly garden for her sessions. Today I am expanding on this idea thanks to various zoos and park services around the world.

Countless nature cams are available for viewing any time and from anywhere. Some are live feeds, so the animals might not be posing when you sing on, but this can be a lesson in managing disappointment or an opportunity to pick something else.

Bears fishing

Some feeds show highlights rather than live footage, which can be more useful in a session since you know the animal will be there.

Puffin with egg

The footage can be used to stimulate creativity; for example, you could prompt your client to tell a story about the bears. You could also use it as a jumping off point for a conversation; the puffin caring for an egg could instigate conversation about the client’s relationship with their own parents. Or the feed could simply be background ambiance as you focus on something completely different for your session, like the telehealth version of having a fish tank in your office.

Jellyfish cam

Whichever direction this activity takes, I have found that these animal feeds can pull the attention of even the most distractible clients. Which one is your favorite?

Published by Dr Marschall

Dr. Amy Marschall received her Psy.D. from the University of Hartford in September 2015. She completed her internship at the National Psychology Training Consortium with specializations in assessment and rural mental health. Currently, she specializes in trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming care, and she is certified in telemental health. Dr. Marschall runs a private practice, RMH Therapy, where she provides individual and family therapy as well as psychological assessments across the lifespan. Dr. Amy Marschall is an author and professional speaker.

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