Hopscotch Play Guides

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Welcome to Ladder! This is a powerful tool for helping kids and teens set goals and create exposure hierarchies or fear ladders. Whether your client is working toward a big personal goal or gradually facing a fear, Ladder makes the process visual, step-by-step, and motivating.

To get started, click the plus sign to create a new ladder. You’ll first choose how many steps you want—4, 6, or 8 rungs—depending on how many smaller goals it might take to reach the big one. On the next screen, your client can enter their main goal at the very top. This could be a skill to build, a fear to overcome, or a challenge to face.

Next, they'll see their ladder below with the number of steps they picked. Starting at the bottom, work with your client to begin adding smaller goals that will help them climb toward the main one. If you're using this as a fear ladder or exposure hierarchy, the steps should go from least distressing at the bottom to most distressing at the top.

There are plenty of ways to personalize each ladder and step! Clients can pick a unique font and color for each goal step. Clicking the plus sign next to any step opens a motivation box, where your client can write an encouraging message they’ll see when they complete that step. They can also select an emoji or upload a custom image to go with each goal, making it feel even more personal and fun.

When the ladder is complete, press the play button to begin working on it. You can download and print the ladder or share it electronically with your client. When clients return to session, they can check off completed steps—and when they do, they’ll see their motivational messages all the way to the top as they complete each goal.

Clients can work on multiple ladders at the same time, and easily track their progress along the way. Whether you're building confidence, working through fears, or setting long-term goals, Ladder is here to help every step of the way.

Welcome to the Client Dashboard in Hopscotch Play!

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This is a dedicated space designed to make your sessions more engaging, whether you are meeting face to face or using our two player feature.

We know a client's age and personality changes by the hour, from a playful and animated seven year old to a serious and thoughtful sixteen year old, and everything in between. That is why we have built this dashboard to be fully customizable. Your younger clients can make it playful and bright, while your teen clients can keep it sleek and modern, or whatever best fits their style.

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Let’s start by looking at how clients can make this space their own. When you click into a client's profile from your provider dashboard, you will be taken straight to their dashboard.

In the All About section, clients can choose a screen name and select an avatar. They can pick from our illustrated human characters, choose one of our Psykick buddies, or upload their own image that represents them best, such as a picture of themselves or something they find interesting. They can also update the entire look of the dashboard here. They can choose from rows of light or dark colors, select one of our custom patterns, or upload their own background image for total personalization.

Right underneath their avatar, clients can update their status to share what is on their mind right now.

In the Playlist area, clients can share the music and videos that matter to them. They can grab a link from YouTube and drop it right here. The song or video will appear in their playlist, ready to watch or listen to directly within Hopscotch Play. This is a great way to explore songs that matter to them in the moment, share cool videos with you, and explore other interests.

Let’s visit the Check in area next. This is a perfect way to start a session. It offers a complete range of ways to check in. Clients can identify their feelings using colors or emojis and select topics that are on their mind. They can also share their highs and lows from the week and rate different areas of well being, like appetite, exercise, and stress levels. This is a great guide for setting the session agenda and will give you lots to explore with your client.

In the My Circle section, clients can identify the top five people in their support system. They can add names, choose avatars, or upload photos to represent them. Below that is the Goals section. Here, you can work together to create and track goals, using the progress slider to measure success week over week.

To keep things engaging, we have added a fun section at the bottom. This includes a Mini Mission which is a small actionable task for the week, and a weekly Poll and Trivia question.

When you are ready to get to work, check the Pinned section to access activities you have saved from the library, or click Recently Played to jump back into a favorite game.

Last but not least is My Feed. Designed to feel like a social media feed, this area highlights mental health tips, fun facts, current events, and more. There are two versions of this feed. One for kids and one for teens. You have full control over this. Simply visit your Provider Dashboard to update the client’s profile. If you select Teen, their dashboard will automatically update to show the teen focused newsfeed.

The dashboard is designed for all ages. It is a powerful way to personalize your practice and keep kids and teens actively involved in their own journey.

About

Description: Magic Worry Jar is an engaging and therapeutic game designed to help children manage their worries and anxieties. In this game, kids visit Leona, the worry wizard, in her enchanting shop filled with an array of colorful jars. Each child selects a jar to serve as their personal worry container. They then write down their worries on virtual tickets and place them into their chosen jar. With a quick spell from Leona, the jar is sealed, symbolically containing their worries. Additionally, children have the option to use a magical worry wand to make their worries disappear completely, representing a symbolic release of their anxieties.

This game leverages the therapeutic intervention of worry jars, providing children with a creative and effective way to express and manage their concerns. It helps in developing coping mechanisms, enhancing emotional regulation, and reducing overall anxiety in a supportive and playful environment.

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Anxiety reduction, Emotional regulation, Self-awareness, Coping strategies, Mindfulness

Using Magic Worry Jar in Session

Begin by introducing the child to the concept of a worry jar. Explain that it’s a special place where they can safely store their worries, helping them feel lighter and more relaxed. Use simple, reassuring language to ensure the child feels comfortable with the idea.

Choosing a Jar
Allow the child to explore the various colorful jars in Leona’s shop. Encourage them to take their time and choose a jar that they feel a connection with. This choice helps personalize the experience, making it more meaningful for the child.

 

Writing Worries

Once the child has selected a jar, facilitate the process of identifying and writing down their worries. Use open-ended questions to help the child articulate their feelings. For example, ask, "Can you tell me about something that’s been on your mind?" or "What is something that has been making you feel uneasy?" Provide support and reassurance, emphasizing that all worries, big or small, are valid.

Once the worry is written, press the check mark to enter it into the jar.

 

 

Sealing the Jar

The child can add up to 4 total worries in their jar.  At any time, they can tap on the cork to magically seal the jar.  Leona will assist with a spell that securely contains the worries inside the jar. This step is crucial as it symbolizes the containment of their worries, providing a sense of relief and control. Encourage the child to observe how it feels to see their worries safely sealed away.

 

Next Steps

At this point, once the worry jar is sealed, the child's worries are symbolically locked away.  There are a few options on how to proceed.
-With the jar sealed, the child can proceed with the rest of their day with no worries

-You can exit the game and revisit the worry jar the following session to see if the worries still remain for the child

-You can Download the magic worry jar using the button on the right tool bar. This downloads a PDF version that can be printed or sent electronically with the child.  The child will be able to revisit the worries at an agreed upon time later in the day or week.

-At any moment, the child can click into the ticket and can either edit their worry, delete, close out of it, or use the Worry Wand to make a specific worry disappear.

The Worry Wand

 

If the child chooses, they can use the worry wand to make their worries disappear entirely. Explain that this is a symbolic action, representing their ability to let go of worries that are no longer troubling them. This can be a powerful and empowering moment for the child, reinforcing their sense of agency over their feelings. Throughout the game, maintain an open dialogue with the child. Ask them how they’re feeling at each stage and provide gentle prompts to encourage deeper reflection. For instance, "How do you feel now that your worries are in the jar?" or "What does it feel like to make a worry disappear?" Use these discussions to validate the child’s emotions and provide support.

 

The child can proceed with clearing their worry jar until all the worries are gone! They can start over with a new jar or revisit Leona to choose a new one.

 

Related Resources

In the Hopscotch Play Print section, you will find a PDF titled My Magic worry Jar.  With this worksheet, the child has a take-home version of a magic worry jar that they can use whenever worries and anxieties appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tips for a Smooth Experience

Hopscotch Play now works on tablets! Whether you’re playing alongside a client in the office or connecting in a 2-Player session remotely, tablets give you more flexibility to bring fun and engaging activities to your sessions. Below are some helpful tips to make sure your experience is smooth and frustration-free.

1. Always Refresh Your Browser first

Whether you're in your office or using 2-Player, the very first thing to do when logging into Hopscotch Play is refresh your browser. This makes sure you're running the latest version of Hopscotch Play.  If in 2-Player, both provider and client should refresh their browser at least twice to make sure everything updates.

Refreshing on iPad (Safari)

Refreshing on Chrome (Android)

2. Be Mindful When Minimizing Your Browser During 2-Player
When you're in a 2-Player session, minimizing your browser or switching between tabs will pause the session for both you and your client. If you're in a telehealth session, this can happen if you or your client clicks away from the Hopscotch Play window or tab to return to their video conferencing window or tab.Some video platforms, like Zoom, have a pop-out video window. This lets you keep your client visible while you stay inside the Hopscotch Play browser window.However, some browser-based platforms, like Simple Practice, don’t offer a pop-out option on tablets. If you (or your client) are using one of these platforms along with Hopscotch Play on a tablet, we recommend using split screen mode to keep from having to switch back and forth between browser tabs.

How to Use Split Screen on Your Tablet

Split screen mode allows you to run Hopscotch Play and your video conferencing platform side-by-side in separate browsers, so you and your client can see each other while you play.  This is an ideal option for browser-based video platforms that do not offer a minimized video pop-out.  

Using Split Screen on iPad (Safari browser)

1. Open Safari.
2. Access your telehealth session in the browser.
3. Tap the Multitasking button (three horizontal dots) at the top of the screen.
   
   

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2. Tap Split View.
3. Tap the Safari icon in the Dock or on your Home Screen to open a side-by-side browser window.
4. Access Hopscotch Play in the new window.
   
   Find more tips here.

Using Split Screen on Android (Chrome Browser)

1. Open Chrome.
2. Access your telehealth session in the browser.
3. Tap the three vertical dots button to the right of the address bar.
4. Tap New Window to open a side-by-side browser window.
   
   

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2. Access Hopscotch Play in the new window.

3. Experiencing Issues? We Can Help!

If you’re still running into problems, don’t worry! You can reach out to us easily:

• Tap the Help icon in the bottom right corner of any screen on Hopscotch Play.
• Submit a ticket letting us know what’s going on.
• Screenshots are super helpful! By pressing the camera icon on the support ticket, you can take a picture of what you’re seeing and send it along with your message so we can troubleshoot faster.

Introducing the New Client Area: Interactive and Engaging for Therapy Sessions

We’re excited to introduce a new, fun, and interactive section in Hopscotch Play, designed to help your clients engage more actively during their sessions. While the library is where you find all the content, this new area allows kids to interact with Hopscotch Play in ways that support their therapy journey, whether you’re working with them in-person or during a 2-player session. It’s a space where your clients can express themselves, track their progress, and engage in activities that support their emotional and mental well-being.  See what's coming!

Feelings Check-In

The feelings check-in lets kids express how they're feeling by selecting from a range of 20 different emojis. This simple yet meaningful tool helps clients identify and communicate their emotions in a visual and fun way, making it easier to start conversations about their emotional state.

Status Update

In this section, clients can edit and share what’s on their mind today. Whether it’s a thought, an event from the day, or just something they want to talk about, this feature provides a space for self-expression and reflection. It encourages clients to check in with themselves and helps you understand what might be affecting their mood or mindset during the session.

My Goals

Clients can create personal goals and track their progress in this section. It’s a great way to help them stay motivated and actively involved in their therapy process. Clients can type in their goals, check off completed tasks, and feel a sense of achievement as they make progress toward their personal milestones.

Edit Profile

In this section, kids can personalize their experience by editing the name of their client area, choosing from 20 NEW avatars, picking a buddy for the day, and changing the look and feel of their Hopscotch Play experience. With a variety of themes to choose from, clients can make their space feel unique and fun, creating a more personalized and comfortable environment to engage with during therapy.

Ready to Play?

This section is where you’ll find all the content you’ve pinned for the session. It’s easy to jump right into activities and games you’ve selected, and the “Jump Back In” tab allows you to quickly access recently played content. It’s all about making sessions flow smoothly and giving you quick access to the tools and activities you need.

Just for Fun

This area includes a variety of fun and therapeutic content that can help kids relax, laugh, and learn something new. From calming tips to jokes and interesting facts, there’s always something exciting to explore. These sections are regularly updated with new content, ensuring there’s always something fresh to keep your clients engaged.

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With these new features, the client area in Hopscotch Play is designed to be both engaging and supportive, providing kids with the tools they need to connect with their feelings, track their progress, and have fun in the process. We’re excited to continue supporting therapists and clients in their journey, offering an environment that fosters growth, learning, and emotional well-being.

Love using Hopscotch Play? You can now get it completely free by joining the Hopscotch Provider Network — a growing network of hundreds of providers across the country who use Hopscotch to manage their practice through our all-in-one software suite of practice management tools.  By joining our network, our team will handle insurance credentialing for you, manage all claims and client payment with guaranteed payments, you’ll have free access to a user-friendly EMR and much more.  As a provider in our network, you’ll receive:

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• Free access to Hopscotch Play
• Free access an all-in-one EHR platform to seamlessly manage care. This includes scheduling, simple payment management, client and support messaging, documentation tools and more.
• A responsive team to support you with any questions that arise from credentialing, billing, technical support and everything else day-to-day
• Personalized marketing support to grow your practice
• Referrals to build your case load

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The best part? It’s completely free to join. To note, you must hold an independent license.

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👉 You can learn more on our website here 

👉 If interested in joining, schedule a 15 minute call with our team

Have a client in need of a referral?

If joining the network isn’t the right fit right now, we’re still here to support your students or clients in need of behavioral health care. Our providers accept most insurance, offer evening and weekend sessions, and treat a wide range of concerns. To make a referral please email support@joinhopscotch.com or submit via our online form https://app.joinhopscotch.com/refer

Thanks for being part of the Hopscotch community — we look forward to serving you with Hopscotch Play and beyond!