Table Top RPG Group Therapy

Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) are an interactive game in which a group of people talk, puzzle, and fight their way through a world created by a Game Master (GM). In the case where this becomes a therapeutic endeavor, a therapist can lead the game and work on traditional therapy goals through the lens of playing the game. Drawing heavily from various theories of therapy and the working knowledge of a trained therapeutic GM, game and group therapy meld together in a collaborative endeavor to overcome struggles that can be addressed in typical talk therapy. 

This is a growing approach to nontraditional means of reaching typical treatment goals. Groups for anxiety for example will drop clients in situations that safely expose and deescalate emotions in a fictional environment with real world applications. Games geared towards coping skills and stress reduction have built in mechanics to keep a character in top shape for every adventure.

It is important to note that in general TTRPG experiences can give insight into personal choices and self exploration but a therapeutic game takes that idea, turns up the focus on introspection and action, and makes it a creative vessel for therapy to take place. If talk therapy has been difficult in the past, you are looking for something to supplement your current mental health improvement, or there is fear about starting traditional therapy, this could be a good place to start.

-An initial session to be completed no later than 3 days before the group start.

-Anxiety group start date: The start date for this ten week group is to be determined once group is at capacity.

-Coping skills group start date: The start date for this ten week group is to be determined once group is at capacity.

How can this help my anxiety? Acting out scenarios that could potentially have a real life analog can be a safe form of exposure therapy. The challenge to the character is also a challenge to the client. In a TTRPG, the player and character have the opportunity to have support of the other clients participating in the game.

What coping skills can I get from a fictional environment? In game decisions affect a character’s well being. Routines, behaviors, and attention to self care are all integral to having a successful game. In life, as in the game, you benefit from taking stock of your needs and acting accordingly to get those met. Additionally, actions always have consequences in real life and in a game. They can be good consequences or consequences that can have a detrimental effect. Acting this out in game has a chance to be a safer outlet for working on change.