Dungeons & Dragons Therapy: How Therapeutic Gaming Supports Healing and Growth
At Art of Awareness, we are committed to providing innovative and evidence-informed approaches to therapy. Healing can take many forms; beyond traditional talk therapy, growth and transformation can occur through creative expression, mindfulness, somatic practices, and even play. One of our clinicians, Amelya Tibbetts, LMSW-CC, has developed a strong professional interest in integrating Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and other role-playing games into therapeutic work. This approach, sometimes referred to as therapeutic gaming or geek therapy, is gaining recognition in the mental health field for its ability to support skill development, self-expression, and emotional regulation in a highly engaging format.
Amelya recently completed the Therapeutic Game Master course through Geek Therapeutics, a training program designed to equip clinicians with tools for weaving therapeutic interventions into tabletop role-playing games. This training underscored the clinical potential of using structured games like D&D to provide clients with opportunities for exploration, connection, and practice of new skills in a safe and imaginative environment.
Why Dungeons & Dragons in Therapy?
Dungeons & Dragons has been played for nearly 50 years and is best known as a cooperative storytelling game where players create characters, embark on quests, and solve challenges together. Its adaptability makes it uniquely suited for clinical use. Research and practice in therapeutic gaming suggest several key benefits:
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Social skill-building – Role-playing fosters teamwork, communication, and problem-solving within a supportive group setting.
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Emotional regulation – Clients encounter scenarios that evoke a range of emotions, offering a safe space to experiment with and practice coping strategies.
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Perspective-taking and identity exploration – Playing as a character allows clients to explore facets of themselves, or experiment with identities different from their own, which can deepen insight and empathy.
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Confidence and resilience – In-game challenges provide opportunities for clients to experience mastery, which can generalize to real-world confidence.
Even the process of character creation can be therapeutic. Clients may design characters who mirror their own traits and struggles or who represent aspirational qualities. This mirrors concepts from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, where clients work with “parts” of themselves to foster integration and self-compassion.
Integrating Clinical Interventions Into Play
Therapeutic role-playing can enhance established treatment modalities. Amelya skillfully integrates elements of evidence-based therapies into gameplay, such as:
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Supporting clients in clarifying values and practicing mindful decision-making.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS): Using characters and storylines as entry points for exploring different internal parts of the self.
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Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Cultivating awareness of emotions and reactions during gameplay.
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Creative and Expressive Therapies: Encouraging imagination, narrative building, and symbolic exploration.
By embedding these approaches into the storylines and mechanics of D&D, therapeutic interventions become more engaging, accessible, and less intimidating. Clients can safely “test out” new skills within the game before applying them in real-world contexts.
What to Expect From a Therapeutic D&D Session
A therapeutic D&D group session shares much in common with a traditional game, but the goals are intentionally clinical. Participants collaborate with each other under the guidance of a therapist trained as the Game Master. During these sessions, clients can expect to:
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Build trust and connections with other group members.
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Engage in creative storytelling and problem-solving.
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Experience and process a wide spectrum of emotions.
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Develop skills in communication, flexibility, and emotional regulation.
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Have fun and experience joy while working toward therapeutic goals.
The group setting provides opportunities for social learning, while the fantasy element offers a safe buffer for practicing difficult or vulnerable skills.
A Passion for Innovation in Therapy
At Art of Awareness, we recognize the importance of honoring the unique passions and expertise of our clinicians. Amelya Tibbetts brings her enthusiasm for geek culture and creative therapeutic methods into her work, offering clients an innovative pathway to healing. Her dedication reflects our broader mission: to provide therapeutic approaches that are client-centered, culturally responsive, and creatively adaptive.
Therapy can be many things: reflective, challenging, supportive, and – yes – sometimes even playful! For some clients, healing looks like rolling dice, creating characters, and embarking on adventures that ultimately mirror their own real-life journey toward growth and resilience.
Ready to Begin?
If you’re curious about exploring Dungeons & Dragons therapy or want to work with Amelya Tibbetts, we invite you to take the next step. Visit our Therapy Services page and enter Amelya’s name on the new client referral form to get started today.