The SII is a tool that helps clients explore their interests and work preferences so that they can find educational pathways and potential careers that are fulfilling.

• In my practice the SII has helped offer new perspectives and direction, whether it was for college or midlife career change.

This suicide risk assessment helps identify the severity and immediacy of the risk, and offers suggestions as to the required client support based on the client’s answers.

• There are several variations of the assessment, and each one offers a simple process and uses understandable language that helps clients open up and answer honestly.

The Live Your Values Deck: Sort Out, Honor, and Practice What Matters Most to You.

• Using a card sort helps clients clarify their central values and gain perspective on what they value in life. It starts conversations on how those values are reflected in their current circumstances, and often leads to both short and long-term goal setting.

Categories, a mental grounding technique, allows clients to pick a category of their choosing, such as Pop Music, and begin listing artists and/or songs.

• This activity helps the clients focus on the here and now rather than their anxieties and racing thoughts. It helps them shift away from uncomfortable and fearful thoughts to their present actions, giving them a sense of control and reminding them that their thoughts do not dictate their actions.

As a tool in counseling, UNO can be modified to help clients identify emotions, generate conversation, or simply build rapport.

• The game helps clients with ADHD occupy their hands while opening a conversation. It gives reluctant clients structure and helps them engage. It helps build rapport with clients who are struggling to connect with other individuals.