Lieutenant Bacon Reporting for Duty

Using Telehealth Filters to Support Emotional Expression in Child Therapy

Over the last few months, I’ve had the privilege of working with a resilient and imaginative 9-year-old client in person. But this week, due to a scheduling change, we pivoted to a telehealth therapy session. As any clinician working with children knows, shifts in setting can bring both challenge and opportunity. This session did both — with a delightful twist.

A Curious Click Leads to Connection

As soon as our video call began, my client’s curiosity zeroed in on the filter function on our telehealth platform. He giggled as he flipped through character overlays — aliens, animals, even vegetables with faces. We were off script, but we were having a blast switching backgrounds and characters. 

Rather than redirect, I leaned in. 

I asked: “What would it be like if each character could talk about a feeling from your home this week?” His eyes lit up. The game began.

Enter the Dragon Operator

He quickly made up a framework. I was to ask a question. He would pick a character that matched the feeling. Between characters, all dialogue had to be routed through the “operator” — a cartoonish dragon filter he insisted had the final say on who we spoke to next.

Introducing Captain Porkchop and Lieutenant Bacon

Before long, he handed me a filter assignment of my own. I was now a cartoon pig, renamed Lieutenant Bacon. He, of course, became Captain Porkchop. We were on an adventure in outer space. In character, we navigated a world of feelings: sadness, anger, frustration, and anxiety.

When asked about his mood at home, Captain Porkchop said he was fine, but Mr. Breakfast had been sad lately, stating, “I can’t talk about that, but the operator can connect you with Mr. Breakfast to talk.” That opened the door to a deep conversation about missing his dad and their shared memories - like watching Star Wars. 

Later, when asked about anger, Mr. Breakfast declined to answer, I was transferred to the operator. The Dragon Operator suggested I speak with Angry Bunny who explained what puts him in a bad mood. Each character brought a new voice and a new emotion - some lasting only 30 seconds, others sticking around longer. The emotional content was priceless.

Play as a Tool for Emotional Regulation and Expression

This session reminded me: play is a child’s first language. Through play, children express feelings and experiences their developing brains can’t yet articulate. When we, as therapists, remain flexible and present, even unexpected tools — like filters — can become powerful vehicles for emotional insight.

Using playful filters in child telehealth therapy:

• Gave the client agency and ownership of the session

• Provided symbolic distance to discuss emotionally charged topics

• Engaged the client’s sense of humor and imagination

• Encouraged co-regulation through shared roles and narrative

Therapeutic Reflections

Therapists working with children via telehealth may hesitate to incorporate “silly” features like filters, worried it may derail the work. But when used with intention, these tools can actually deepen rapport and support authentic emotional expression.

This hour totally flew by - and we covered emotions he’d never shared before. So, the next time a dragon filter appears in your session, don’t be afraid to talk to the operator. 

And if you’re lucky, you might get promoted to a cartoon pig named Lieutenant Bacon.

Learn more about Child Therapy at ABHS at www.alliedbehavior.com

Written by: Melissa West, MSW • Clinical Therapist at ABHS

Clinical Review by: Alison Peak, LCSW • ABHS Executive Director