I meet with an adolescent client every other week. They were transferred to me from a clinician that left the practice. Therapy was going okay, but not much was really being presented by the client. They began turning their camera off during sessions and I would stare at the screen. Then, a crisis happened and we met in person with their mother present. Then we went back to telehealth. Back to looking at a blank screen lol. Then last week we had a session and they included their face on the screen and also really opened up more! I was shocked and surprised but it was great to work with. Then of course due to the EHR we use they disconnected from the session and couldn’t re-connect. Session was supposed to be 45 minutes but we ended at 30 minutes. They emailed stating they tried to reconnect but it wasn’t working. I said it happens and I’ll see them in a few weeks. Even though it was the full session it was markedly different, in a good way, and I felt the client felt more open and comfortable to share.

I guess that’s the struggle with teens, but that’s why building rapport is important. Anyone else have a small breakthrough similar?