Therapeutic Role-Play Game (RPG) Groups
Tabletop role-playing games (ttRPGs) have been around for quite some time. Since the release of Dungeons and Dragons in 1974, countless kids, teens, and adults have rolled dice, crafted unique characters, and embarked on thrilling quests together. With the release of Stranger Things in 2016 a whole new generation of people have discovered the joys of tabletop RPGs.
In recent years, tabletop RPGs have expanded to include new games, environments, and players. This growth has led to the awareness that RPGs and other games are more than just a great way for friends to have fun together; they also have therapeutic benefits, including personal growth and social and educational awareness (Berkenstock & Blakley, 2019). For example, RPGs involve imagination, creative problem-solving, risk-taking, empathy, advocating for yourself, communication, and perspective-taking, just to name a few (Berkenstock & Blakley, 2019).
Therapeutic RPG Groups Explained
Our therapeutic gaming social skill groups provide a fun and supportive environment where players can develop and practice their social skills through engaging gameplay. In a therapeutic RPG group, players have the opportunity to collaborate and experience the outcome of their choices together. Our therapists model, coach, and support players in-the-moment to help them thrive and grow.
You may be wondering, what makes therapeutic RPGs different from playing with your friends? In a therapeutic RPG our game masters (GMs) are professional therapists trained to use tabletop RPGs therapeutically while still creating an engaging environment where clients can have fun. Games and characters are built intentionally with the client's therapeutic goals in mind. Our GMs thoughtfully build sessions, characters, and storylines to challenge, support, and encourage growth in our clients through the medium of tabletop RPG gaming.
Meet Our RPG Team
Jennifer Carlson, MA, LPC
Clinical Director
6 Years leading RPG Groups
In-House Tabletop RPG Trainer
Trained in the Bodhana Model of Therapy Blended Gaming
Favorite RPG Genre: Monster of the week mysteries
L. Michael Fields, MS, LPC
7 Years leading RPG Groups
In-House Tabletop RPG Trainer
Trained in the Bodhana Model of Therapy Blended Gaming
Favorite RPG Genre: Sci-fi, horror, and superheroes
Rebecca Lanier, MA, LPC, LMFT, CCTP
6 Years leading RPG Groups
Trained by in-house RPG Trainers
Favorite RPG Genre: Westerns, horror, and old school sci-fi
Nia Young, MS
4 Years leading RPG Groups
Trained by in-house RPG Trainers
Favorite RPG Genre: Genre Mashups
Olivia Bekker, MA, APC
3 Years leading RPG Groups
Trained by in-house RPG Trainers
Favorite RPG Genre: Sci-fi Mystery
Thomas Adkins, MS
1 Year leading RPG Groups
Trained by in-house RPG Trainers
Favorite RPG Genre: Fantasy (Dragons and Wizards)
How Therapeutic RPGs Help
Practice important social skills like reducing social anxiety, social problem solving, and working together in the safe and engaging environment of a therapeutic RPG group.
Social Skills Practice
Gain experience with social and emotional regulation, working together, advocating for yourself, multiple perspectives, and reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Experience Personal Growth
We recognize traditional talk therapy does not work for everyone. With therapeutic RPG you can do the work and have fun at the same time!
Make Therapy Fun!
What We Offer
Our trained clinicians currently offer several weekly therapeutic gaming social skills groups for kids, teenagers, and young adults. Many of our groups use Dungeons and Dragons, Kids on Brooms, Kids on Bikes, or Branch Riders as the primary avenue for therapy.
Therapeutic RPG groups last 1.5 hours and cost $115 per session. If you or someone you know is interested in therapeutic RPGs give us a call at (770) 726-9624 or email us at info@myinneractions.com to learn more!