Beyond the Surface™: More Than One Story. An Animated Story Studio for Kids and Teens (Ages 8 to 17)
Beyond the Surface™: More Than One Story. An Animated Story Studio for Kids and Teens (Ages 8 to 17) with Therapist Companion PDF
Slow down. Let's take a second to honor that a moment can mean more than one thing.
Beyond the Surface™: More Than One Story is an animated, choose-your-next-move story studio for kids ages 8 to 12 and teens ages 13 to 17. Young people step inside a short fictional story, spot the clues, mix their feelings, open up other possibilities, and try a next move that feels right for them. There are no scores, no perfect answers, and they can skip or pause at any time.
What is inside
- 12 original stories: 6 for kids and 6 for teens, covering belonging, feeling left out, disappointment, anger and repair, texting and waiting, group chats, mixed signals, boundaries, changing plans, and online choices
- 5 gentle stops in every story: Enter the story, Spot the clues, Mix the feelings, Open possibilities, Try a next move
- Animated scenes with characters who walk in, speak, and react
- Inner weather: 16 feelings become rain, fog, heat, or sunrise in the scene
- Next moves that act themselves out: speaking up, asking for support, taking space, and setting a boundary
- A printable Story Pass that keeps the conversation going at home or in session
- Three layers of depth: what it is, how to do it, and healing and deeper work
- A built-in Breathing Buddy, a Grown-up guide, and a Reset button between clients
- Therapist Companion PDF (17 pages) with session pacing, questions and clinical notes for every story, documentation ideas, and care guidance
Why it helps
Many young people hear silence, a laugh, or a canceled plan as a verdict. This studio teaches the pause between what happened and what it means. Clues are separated from guesses, hurt is never explained away, and a new possibility never excuses harm. Every story ends with a choice that belongs to the young person.
Who it is for
Therapists, school counselors, social workers, coaches, and caregivers working with kids and teens. Use it in session, in telehealth, or at home with a trusted adult beside them.
How it works
An interactive page that opens in any modern browser on a computer, tablet, or phone. No account for the child, nothing to install, and nothing stored. Choices stay in the page's memory and are not saved after a reload.
Please note
This is an educational resource. It is not therapy, counseling, diagnosis, treatment, a validated assessment, or crisis support, and it does not replace care from a licensed professional. If someone is in crisis or danger, call or text 988, or call 911 in the U.S.
Created by Shanita Wade, MA, LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Brainspotting Therapist, and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, with about thirteen years of work with children, teens, and families.
Questions: info@ewoltherapy.com
© 2026 Shanita Wade, MA, LPC and Empowered Way of Life Therapy, LLC. Single practitioner license. Please do not copy, resell, or redistribute without written permission.
