Devyna Aguon, LICSW

Approaches that translate well to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on meeting people where they are. The therapist listens, reflects, and follows the client's lead to build trust and identify priorities. This approach helps parents and caregivers feel understood and involved in planning next steps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses simple exercises to change unhelpful patterns and to build coping skills for anxiety, low mood, and parenting stress. CBT tends to work well for concrete goals and homework practice between sessions.

Motivational Interviewing helps people find their own reasons for change. It is useful when someone feels unsure or stuck about making adjustments, such as managing addictive behaviors or improving routines with children.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will talk with each client about needs, goals, and preferences, and then try methods that fit. This is a collaborative process that can change over time as goals shift.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is good for full sessions and face-to-face conversation. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited or a quicker check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging suit brief updates, ongoing support, or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy family schedules and varied routines.