Tags: Teletherapy

Mightier Daily News

  • 5 to 10 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

Use this activity to celebrate accomplishments in Mightier games to help clients build self-confidence and to encourage conversation around game play routine.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 1+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Develop emotional awareness
  2. Increase emotional vocabulary
  3. Practice self-reflection
  4. Practice positive self-talk and growth mindset
  5. Practice communication and social skills
  6. Support client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in a strength-based intervention to build self-confidence and to encourage conversation using Mightier biofeedback tool’s language. This intervention helped the client to develop emotional awareness, increase their emotional vocabulary, practice self-reflection, and practice social skills.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Tell your client that you are looking to learn more about how they used Mightier in the past week. Use the below questions to encourage conversation or make up your own. These should be focused on in-game accomplishments.
    • What were the top 3 accomplishments you made while playing Mightier this week?
    • What was the best level you got to in your favorite game this week? What helped you to get to that level?
    • What were your 3 favorite games this week? Why? 
    • What were your favorite Lavalings you collected this week? Why?
    • What were the top 3 feelings you felt while playing Mightier this week? 
    • What is something you learned from Mightier this week?
    • What skill did you use the most this week? How did it work out for you?
    • What is something you could teach me this week to help me get better at playing Mightier? 

  2. Ask follow up questions and take a learning perspective while engaging in this intervention. Remember it is okay to not know everything about Mightier and to learn with the client.

Positive Affirmation Cards

  • 10 to 15 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

This positive affirmations activity helps a client practice using strengths-based language to build confidence and resilience.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 1+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Develop emotional awareness
  2. Practice self-reflection
  3. Practice positive self-talk and growth mindset
  4. Practice communication and social skills
  5. Support client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in a positive affirmations intervention that helped the client to practice using strengths-based language to build confidence and resilience using Mightier biofeedback tool’s language. The intervention helped to develop emotional awareness while practicing self-reflection and social skills.

Materials needed

Paper

Paper

Writing utensils

Writing utensils

Scissors

Scissors

Link to print

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Provide psychoeducation to the client surrounding positive affirmations using the language below, or something similar.

    Our brains and bodies are good friends and talk to each other very often. When the brain says a certain thing our body can feel the feeling that is associated with that thought. When your brain thinks a positive thought like, “I feel loved by my friends and family” we can feel more positive emotions like happiness, pride, and excitement. When your brain thinks a negative thought like, “I can’t do this!” we can feel more negative emotions like sadness, anger, frustration, or worry (like being in the red in Mightier). One way to feel more positive emotions is to think positive thoughts. This trains our brain to feel more positive over time. Today we are going to think of some positive affirmations (statements) that you can say to yourself when you are wanting to feel more positive emotions (like being in the blue in Mightier)

  2. Have the client use the worksheet, or have them use their own sheet of paper, to create a grid to look like cards. 

  3. Work with the client to develop, write, and/or draw positive affirmations on the cards. 

  4. As the client is writing these positive affirmations, ask the client what area of the Mightier Gizmo may they be in once they read these cards (red, gray, blue). Talk about what types of emotions may arise and help the client to label these feelings. 

  5. Talk with the client about potential times to use the positive affirmation cards as well as a place to keep the cards (i.e. desk in the classroom, backpack, pocket, etc.)

Coping Skill Cards

  • 15 to 20 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

This creative activity provides clients with an opportunity to choose which calming skills work best for them while having an opportunity to create a visual that can serve as a reminder for skills that work best for them.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 1+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Provide psychoeducation regarding coping skills
  2. Develop implicit and explicit coping skills
  3. Practice self-reflection

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in a psychoeducational intervention that helped the client explore a variety of coping skills that could be helpful for them using Mightier biofeedback tool’s language. This intervention helped to develop implicit and explicit coping skills as well as practice self-reflection.

Materials needed

Link to print
Scissors

Scissors

A container to keep cards in

A container to keep cards in

Various craft supplies (stickers, stamps, etc)

Various craft supplies (stickers, stamps, etc)

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Ask your client what they have noticed as a helpful way to get back down to the blue in Mightier. They may mention Mightier coping skills or others.

  2. Provide psychoeducation around coping skills and how they work using the script below (or something similar).

    I can tell you have been working hard to learn skills that bring your heart rate down, that is great! There are many different coping skills that help people to calm down in real life and that help to bring kids back down to the blue in Mightier. There is no “right” coping skill, everyone is different, and finding what works for you best is important!

  3. Share the coping skill cards print out with the client and cut the cards out together. (To speed this up you can also pre-cut the cards prior to the session.)

  4. While the client is cutting out the cards, ask them to sort the cards into 3 piles: What skills they know are helpful for them, skills they want to try, and skills they know are not helpful for them. 

  5. After sorting the cards, have the client try out the skills in the “skills they want to try” pile.
    (If equipment is available- the client can use their heart rate monitor and Mightier tablet to track their heart rate while they use the skills or they can try them independently.)

    Use the below questions (or something similar) to explore the skill with the client. (You can also do the skills with the client to help with adherence.)

    -How did it feel to use the skill?
    -What did you notice about your heart rate?
    -What did you like about using this skill?
    -What did you not like about using this skill?

  6. Once a client has identified skills that are helpful for them, have them create a place to store the coping skills (this can be a decorated box, bag, or another container). Talk with them about how this container and cards can serve as a reminder to help the client access these skills when needed. Talk with the client about when they may use the cards, where they may store the container, and how they might feel using the cards.

Gizmo Storytelling

  • 10 to 15 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

Using behavior chaining, this activity will help clients reflect on an experience and discuss changes in behavior for future experiences by using familiar Mightier language.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 6+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Develop emotional awareness
  2. Increase emotional vocabulary
  3. Practice self-reflection
  4. Practice positive self-talk and growth mindset
  5. Practice communication and social skills
  6. Support client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in a behavior chaining intervention which helped the client reflect on an experience and discuss changes in behavior for future experiences using the Mightier biofeedback tool’s language. This intervention helped the client to develop emotional awareness, increase emotional vocabulary, and practice communication and social skills.

Materials needed

Paper

Paper

Writing utensils

Writing utensils

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Have your client reflect and share their biggest feeling or experience this week. (This activity can also be used if the client brings up an experience that is particularly difficult for them to understand or to parse through.)

  2. Have the client fold their paper into four square-like quadrants or use the optional worksheet (link to download below).

  3. In the second square, have your client draw or write what happened. Ask questions along the way regarding the experience including what happened, how they were feeling, who the experience involved, and other questions you find relevant. 

  4. Have the client rate what section of the Gizmo they were in when they were in the experience (red, grey, or blue). Have them label this by using colors or written words. Ask questions as to what they noticed about their body and their feelings that made them believe they were in this section of the Gizmo. 

  5. Have the client use the first square on the piece of paper to draw or write what happened right before the experience in the second square (the trigger for the behavior). Ask the client what they were thinking, feeling, and experiencing during this time. Ask the client again to identify what section of the Gizmo they were in for this experience and ask questions about what they notice. 

  6. Have the client go to the third square and draw or write what happened after the experience in the second square (the consequence of the behavior). Ask the client what happened and what they were experiencing in terms of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors during this time. Ask the client again to identify what section of the Gizmo they were in for this experience and ask questions about what they notice. 

  7. Celebrate the client’s reflection and process during this time. 

  8. Work with the client to brainstorm different options for the second square (the behavior) that may change the consequence. Have the client draw or write potential changes to behavior or skills they could engage in in the fourth square. (i.e. use a calming skill, ask for help, leave the situation, etc.). The client may have more than one potential change for square four. If that is the case, then have the client use the backside of the paper or another page. 

  9. Reflect on changes in feelings and behavior if these changes were made. Help the client to plan for potential ways to utilize skills or behaviors the next time a similar experience is to come up.

Make Your Own Mightier Gizmo

  • 15 to 20 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

This visual activity will help kids identify triggers and body cues associated with their emotions and different heart rates.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 3+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Provide psychoeducation regarding heart rate and body cues
  2. Develop emotional awareness
  3. Increase emotional vocabulary
  4. Practice self-reflection
  5. Support client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in a psychoeducational intervention focused on identifying triggers and body cues associated with their emotions and different heart rates using the Mightier biofeedback tool’s language. The intervention helped the client to develop emotional awareness and increase their emotional vocabulary while practicing self-reflection.

Materials needed

Writing utensils

Writing utensils

Paper

Paper

Link to print

Step-by-step instructions

    1. Ask your client to describe the Gizmo in Mightier. (Some kids may call this different things, so describing this Gizmo may be helpful).

    2. Describe what the Gizmo does and how it represents different body cues and emotions using the script below (or something similar).

      Do you feel like you have a Gizmo inside yourself?
      Have you noticed that the Gizmo moves when you feel different emotions or changes in your body?
      What does the red on the Gizmo represent? (Allow the client to answer then provide psychoeducation).

      The red on the Gizmo means our heart rate is high which can mean many things. It can mean we are really excited or happy. It can also mean that we are frustrated, angry, or worried.       When we have a big feeling, our heart rate tends to go up. This is because our body and brain are working hard to alert us that there is something happening so we can make decisions. Sometimes when our heart rate is high, it can be harder to make decisions.

      What does the grey on the Gizmo represent? (Allow the client to answer then provide psychoeducation).

      The grey on the Gizmo represents that your heart rate is in the middle. It means your heart rate is headed up to the red or going down to the blue. The grey can act as a warning and may be when you don’t notice any changes in your body or emotions just yet.

      What does the blue on the Gizmo represent? (Allow the client to answer then provide psychoeducation).

      The blue on the Gizmo represents that your heart rate is low which can mean many things. It can mean we are calm, that we are focused, or that we are tired. Usually, when our heart rate is low we can make decisions and choices a bit more easily.

    3. Explain to the client that they are going to make their own Gizmo today and reflect on what they notice about their body when they are in each of the sections.

    4. Show a picture of the Gizmo and have the client use the worksheet or draw their own on one side of the paper.

    5. Then ask your client to write (or draw) what they notice about their body when they are in each section of the Gizmo (red, grey, and blue) next to that section on their drawing. Ask questions about what they notice when they are feeling a certain feeling and give examples of what others may notice (i.e. “A lot of kids tell me that they are in the red they notice that they feel sweaty or like their fists are clenched”)

    6. Afterward, ask your client if they can identify situations that put them in the different sections of the Gizmo and to write (or draw) these situations next to them. Ask questions about situations in the past and give examples. (i.e. “Some kids tell me that when they get in an argument with their brother that they are in the red” or “Some kids tell me that when they read before bed they are in the blue”)

Lavaling Feelings Identification Chart

  • 5 to 7 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

This check-in activity allows clients to reflect and share what they are feeling using Mightier’s Lavaling characters.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 3+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Develop emotional awareness
  2. Increase emotional vocabulary
  3. Practice self-reflection
  4. Practice communication and social skills
  5. Support client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in a check-in activity which allowed the client to reflect and share what they are feeling using Mightier’s Lavaling characters from the Mightier biofeedback tool’s language. The intervention helped the client to develop emotional awareness, increase emotional vocabulary, practice self-reflection, and practice communication.

Materials needed

Link to print

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Share with your client the Lavaling Feelings Identification Chart

  2. Ask your client to take time to think about how they are feeling today.

  3. Ask your client to point out which Lavalings represent the feelings they are experiencing.

  4. Encourage your client to use “I feel” statements to share their experiences.

Create Your Own Lavaling

  • 15 to 20 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

This creative activity uses a narrative approach of externalizing a client’s symptoms to a character that they are familiar with from Mightier games.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 4+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Develop emotional awareness
  2. Develop body awareness
  3. Practice self-reflection
  4. Support the client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in an intervention using a narrative approach of externalizing the client’s symptoms to a character that they are familiar with using the Mightier biofeedback tool’s language. This activity focused on developing emotional and body awareness while practicing self-reflection.

Materials needed

Paper

Paper

Writing utensils

Writing utensils

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Ask your client to describe the Lavalings in Mightier. Ask your client if they have a favorite Lavaling and why they like that particular one. 

  2. Describe that Lavalings have unique personalities using the script below (or something similar).

    I love how many Lavalings you have been collecting! You have been working really hard. Have you noticed that each Lavaling has their own personality? Most of them have strengths and things that they are really good at along with some things they wish they did a bit differently. I would love for you to create your own Lavaling today that represents you.

    Take a thinking minute about what that Lavaling might look like both when it’s in its hot state in the red and in its cool state in the blue. Then, I want you to think about what type of personality you would have as a Lavaling.
    What are some of your strengths and what are some things that you would like to get better at?

  3. Allow your client to take time to think, draw, and ask questions about their Lavaling. 

  4. Once they have completed their Lavaling, celebrate their reflection and ask them to share about their Lavaling. Ask your own questions or use sample questions below.

    -Tell me about how your Lavaling looks.
    -What are some things that your Lavaling is really great at?
    -What are some things that you Lavaling is working on getting better at?
    -How are you similar to the Lavaling you drew?

  5. Some clients may be able to reflect on times where they feel like this Lavaling more than others (i.e. triggering situations) and how they may “cool down” their Lavaling (i.e. calming skills) which can be explored here as well using your own questions or sample questions below.

    -When do you feel like this particular Lavaling comes out in your own life?
    -Some kids tell me their Lavaling comes up when __(the triggering situation for the client)__ does this ever happen to you?
    -Does anything help to cool your Lavaling down?
    -What have you noticed helps your Lavaling stay cool?

  6. Ask your client to notice throughout the week if this Lavaling is something they notice in the real world and in their experiences to share these in subsequent sessions. 

“Teach Me How to Play!”

  • 15 to 20 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

Sometimes the best way to learn is through teaching. In this activity, your client teaches you how to play Mightier and explains the game mechanics, tips and tricks, and calming skills.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 3+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Develop implicit and explicit calming skills
  2. Develop emotional awareness
  3. Increase emotional vocabulary
  4. Practice self-reflection
  5. Practice communication and social skills
  6. Support client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in a collaborative play intervention using the Mightier biofeedback tool. This intervention focused on developing implicit and explicit coping skills, developing emotional awareness, and increasing the client’s emotional vocabulary and pro-social skills.

Materials needed

Mightier tablet

Mightier tablet

Heart rate monitor

Heart rate monitor

Provider’s tablet

Provider’s tablet

Heart rate monitor

Heart rate monitor

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Celebrate your client’s amazing progress and work when playing Mightier and ask them if they would be interested in teaching you how to play Mightier. 

  2. If the child is interested, ask them to show you how to put the heart rate monitor on and start up the tablet. 

  3. Ask them to explain Mightier to you using the questions below or your own questions.

    What does Mightier do?
    How does Mightier work?
    What does Mightier help you with?

  4. Ask them to lead you through a game. (You may have different games unlocked than your client. That is okay. You can ask them what game they recommend you play or what they like the best out of your unlocked games.) 

  5. While playing, tilt the camera to show your screen while playing. Have the client coach you through their tips and tricks for game-play while asking questions about what to do next. 

  6. Get into the red often. You most likely will get into the red regularly, but if you are not seeing many increases, you can put your arms above your head or engage in a smaller, less noticeable activity to get your heart rate up. 

  7. When you are in the red, ask your client about this using the questions below or your own questions. Model calming skills and effective ways to bring your heart rate down.

    -What do I do when I am in the red?
    -What does it mean when I am in the red?
    -What can I do to get back down to the blue?
    -What is your favorite way to get back down to the blue?
    -Do you find it hard to get your heart rate down? I am finding it hard right now!
    -What do you notice about my heart rate?

  8. Engage in play with your client for as long as you would like and at whatever cadence you would like. Throughout this time help your client to notice that everyone gets in the red and normalize their emotional experience.

Create Your Own Mightier Calming Skills

  • 15 to 20 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

This creative activity helps clients think about new skills that may be helpful for bringing their heart rate down while experimenting to see what may be most effective for them.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 6+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Provide psychoeducation regarding calming skills
  2. Develop implicit and explicit calming skills
  3. Practice self-reflection
  4. Support the client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in an art based intervention focus on coping skill development using the Mightier biofeedback tool. This intervention focused on providing psychoeducation around coping skills, developing implicit and explicit coping skills, and practicing self-reflection

Materials needed

Mightier tablet

Mightier tablet

Heart rate monitor

Heart rate monitor

Paper

Paper

Writing utensils

Writing utensils

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Ask your client what they have noticed as a helpful way to get back down to the blue in Mightier. They may mention Mightier calming skills or others.

  2. Provide psychoeducation around calming skills and how they work using the script below (or something similar):

    I can tell you have been working hard to learn skills that bring your heart rate down. That is great! There are many different calming skills that help people to calm down in real life and that help to bring kids back down to the blue in Mightier. There is no “right” calming skill, everyone is different, and finding what works for you best is important!

  3. Explain that today you are going to try out your client’s own ideas for calming skills. 

  4. Ask your client to draw pictures of at least 4 calming skills that they have tried or would like to try to help them go from the red to the blue that are different than the calming skills that Mightier teaches. (You can also download the optional worksheet). If they need suggestions or are feeling stuck, provide examples. 

  5. Once your client has identified what skills they would like to try, ask them why they picked these skills and why they think they would be helpful. 

  6. Have your client put on their heart rate monitor and turn on their tablet. 

  7. Ask your client to get their heart rate up to the red. Encourage them to do jumping jacks, run in place, hold their hands over their head, dance to a favorite song, etc.. (You can also do this with them to help with adherence)

  8. Once the child shares they are in the red encourage them to try out one of the skills they listed. (You can do the skill along with them to help with adherence). 

  9. Once they are back in the blue, ask your client what they noticed about using this skill.

    -How did it feel to use the skill?
    -What did you notice about your heart rate?
    -What did you like about using this skill?
    -What did you not like about using this skill?
     
  10. Encourage your client to try using these skills inside the Mightier games and in situations outside of Mightier that may be challenging. Brainstorm with your client potential ways to use these skills. 

  11. Repeat this process for the other skills the client has identified in this session or in subsequent sessions. 

*Some clients may want to make a calming skills toolbox or calming skills ring of skills to serve as a reminder of skills. These can be on sheets of paper or can be drawings or cards that the client makes. 

*You can also use the “Calming Skill Cards” activity in the Clinician Toolkit as an example of potential skills for clients to try.

Celebrate A Mightier Moment

  • 5 to 10 minutes
  • In person
  • Teletherapy
Video

Overview

This activity allows time and space for a client to identify successes throughout their week. It can be used as a check-in at the beginning of the session, a way to celebrate hard work during sessions, and/or as a closing activity.

Time in Mightier program

Weeks 1+

Therapeutic Goals

  1. Develop emotional awareness
  2. Increase emotional vocabulary
  3. Practice self-reflection
  4. Practice positive self-talk and growth mindset
  5. Practice communication and social skills
  6. Support client’s understanding and enjoyment of Mightier

Documentation Suggestion

Client and clinician engaged in an intervention focused on identifying successes throughout their week using the Mightier biofeedback tool’s language. This intervention focused on practicing self-reflection while also developing emotional awareness and pro-social skills. The client was able to also practice positive self-talk and growth mindset.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Describe to the client what a Mightier Moment is using the script below (or something similar):

    I want us to celebrate all the wonderful hard work you have been doing! These can be things that you are really proud of that you have learned or accomplished at school, at home, in your time with me, or with Mightier. 

  2. Identify a Mightier Moment you have seen for the client to give them an example.

  3. Allow your client to take a moment to identify a Mightier Moment. They can have more than one Mightier Moment.

  4. Use this exercise regularly to help your client identify wins throughout their week or in session.