Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Group

Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games (TARPGs) are a form of therapy that uses role-playing games, such as Dungeons & Dragons & Critical Core, as a therapeutic tool to help individuals improve their mental health and well-being. TARPGs can be used to address a wide range of mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and social skill deficits.

How Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games Work

During a TARPG therapy session, a trained therapist works with a group of individuals to engage in a role-playing game. The game typically involves creating a fictional world, characters, and storylines. Each individual in the group assumes the role of a character and interacts with the other characters in the game.

The therapist uses the game to help individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe, non-judgmental environment. The game allows individuals to experience different scenarios, experiment with new behaviors, and practice coping strategies in a low-stakes setting.

TARPGs can be tailored to address specific mental health concerns. For example, a therapist may use a TARPG to help individuals with social anxiety practice communication and social skills. Or, a therapist may use a TARPG to help individuals with trauma process their emotions in a safe, supportive environment.

Benefits of Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games

TARPGs can offer a range of benefits, including:

    1. Improved communication skills: RPGs encourage players to communicate and resolve conflict (Kowert and Oldmeadow 2013). TARPGs can help individuals improve their communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, as they interact with the other players in the game.
    2. Increased self-awareness: RPGs can encourage perspective-taking (Rivers et al. 2016). TARPGs can help individuals gain a better understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they navigate the game. 
    3. Practice coping strategies: TARPGs can provide individuals with a safe environment to practice coping strategies for managing their mental health concerns and can positively impact overall wellbeing (Lehto 2021).
    4. Reduced social isolation: RPGs can enhance social abilities and foster a sense of connection (Davis and Johns 2020). TARPGs can help individuals develop social connections and reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
    5. Enhanced problem-solving skills: TARPGs can help individuals practice problem-solving and decision-making skills as they navigate the game.

Who can Benefit from Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games

TARPGs can offer benefits to many, including:

    1. For people with autism: TARPGs can help people with autism to develop social skills and to learn how to interact with others in a positive way. TARPGs can also help people with autism to express themselves creatively and to explore their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
    2. For people with ADHD: TARPGs can help people with ADHD to focus and to stay on task. TARPGs can also help people with ADHD to develop problem-solving skills and to learn how to manage their emotions.
    3. For people with anxiety: TARPGs can help people with anxiety to cope with stress and to learn how to relax. TARPGs can also help people with anxiety to develop coping mechanisms and to learn how to manage their fears.
    4. For people with depression: TARPGs can help people with depression to feel better about themselves and to build confidence. TARPGs can also help people with depression to express themselves creatively and to explore their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.
    5. For people with trauma: TARPGs can help people with trauma to work through their experiences and to heal. TARPGs can also help people with trauma to develop coping mechanisms and to learn how to manage their emotions.

Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Game Programs

Decades of research and evidence-in-practice proves that our distinctive role-playing game-based therapeutic programs are powerful intervention modalities to help improve the function, mood, efficacy, social skills, and quality of life for people anywhere from 2 years old through senior adults, including a wide range of physical neural differences.

    1. In-person Table Top (In office)
    2. Telehealth (On computer)
    3. Hybrid Settings (In office and on computer)

 

Small Group Program

  • 8 biweekly sessions
    • 1 session (45min) is an individual session to assess needs and appropriate group placement
    • Sessions 2-8 (1.5 hr) held as a small group (4-5 individuals and 1 facilitator)
    • Cost = $500.00