Virtual Hope Box (new) vs Bloom Within

The Virtual Hope Box (VHB) is a smartphone application designed for use by patients and their mental health providers as an accessory to treatment. The VHB contains simple tools to help patients with coping, relaxation, distraction, and positive thinking. Patients and providers can work together to personalize the VHB content on the patient's own smartphone according to the patient's specific needs. The patient can then use the VHB away from clinic, continuing to add or change content as needed. Patients can use the VHB to store a variety of rich multimedia content that they find personally supportive in times of need. For example, a patient can include family photos, videos and recorded messages from loved ones, inspirational quotes, music they find especially soothing, reminders of previous successes, positive life experiences and future aspirations, and affirmations of their worth in their VHB. A patient can also collaborate with their provider to create coping cards to use in response to personal problem areas they experience. Finally, the VHB provides the patient with positive activity planning, distraction tools, and interactive relaxation exercises including guided imagery, controlled breathing and muscle relaxation.

What This App Offers This app offers simple, supportive tools to help you build a kinder, steadier inner voice and feel more grounded in daily life. Guided Self-Talk Prompts Thoughtfully written prompts invite you to speak to yourself with more care and encouragement. These guided messages help you practice supportive self-talk—especially during moments of stress, uncertainty, or self-doubt—so kindness becomes a more familiar inner response over time. Guided Imagery/Relaxation Short, calming imagery experiences help you mentally step into places that feel safe, supportive, and steady. These visualizations are designed to ease tension, encourage perspective, and help your body and mind settle—making space for clarity, creativity, and calm. Journaling Open-ended journaling prompts offer a gentle way to reflect, process experiences, and explore thoughts and feelings at your own pace. Writing helps you slow down, notice patterns, and give shape to what’s happening inside—without pressure to “fix” anything. Together, these practices support emotional balance, self-awareness, and a more compassionate relationship with yourself. You can use them separately or weave them into a simple daily rhythm—whatever feels most supportive in the moment. DISCLAIMER This app is intended for personal reflection and general self-support only. It does not provide medical advice, mental health treatment, diagnosis, or therapy, and is not a substitute for professional care. If you are experiencing distress or need support, please seek help from a qualified professional.