SZN 2. Ep. 1/ Table Top Role Play Games in Therapy
Therapeutic Benefits of Tabletop Roleplaying Games
By: Brooke Christenson, M.A. LMFT, Certified Therapeutic Game Master
Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPG’s) like Dungeons & Dragons (DnD) have grown exponentially in the last five years. Following on the coattails of a global pandemic and the explosion of pop culture references such as Stranger Things, “the World’s Greatest Role-Playing Game” had its highest commercial growth in 2021 than ever before since its 1971 inception (CNBC, 2021). By utilizing the art of collaborative storytelling and roleplay, TTRPGs open doors for genuine human connection and interaction through the lens of a character and a common goal. Applied therapeutically, this modality can foster an environment of non-judgmental processing and healing through play—which reduces stress and anxiety.
A recent study done by Harrisburg University and The Bohana Group studied therapeutic benefits of games in therapy, including TTRPGs—the very first study of its kind. Studies showed that when applied therapeutically, members of the game experienced reduced levels of social anxiety, gained more confidence in themselves and their decision making skills, and enhanced mental well being of participants. At its core, TTRPG’s are a collaborative storytelling game in which everyone participates with a created character and the desire to engage in improvisation. “Yes/and”--a popular improv philosophy— keeps the storyline of the campaign moving forward and allows for everyones’ wild ideas to come to life.
In addition to collaborative storytelling, most TTRPG’s apply an element of chance through dice rolls. By implementing dice to pass ability and skill checks, the narrative of the story takes unexpected twists and turns which challenges clients’ to find alternative ways to complete a task, manage stress in a team setting, and practice critical thinking. It also gives clients the freedom to explore choices which could be “do overs”, or explore other outcomes in a safe environment of a created world. Whether someone is a first time player or a seasoned veteran, the outcome of a campaign is radically diverse and reflects the thought process of the clients who participate with their thoughts and ideas.
One of the most important roles in any tabletop roleplaying game is the role of the “gamemaster/dungeon master” (GM/DM). The GM is responsible for keeping the storyline going, creating encounters, and keeping track of “experience points” for characters to level up. They are essentially the narrator and rulebook of the storytelling experience and ensure everyone is having a great time. Being a therapeutic GM comes with some additional responsibilities. While still maintaining a great experience, a therapeutic GM holds the responsibility of creating a therapeutically safe space and maintaining treatment plans with specific client goals. Creating safety in gaming includes both consent of gameplay and intent of specific encounters during gameplay. Some additional safety measures include safety cards for clients to use for “no-go topics'' and proactive conversation about potential triggers in a game setting.
Considering the growing popularity of tabletop roleplaying games, therapeutically applied tabletop roleplaying games offer an opportunity for clients to meet their goals in a setting that is safe, collaborative, and fun. Though large-scale empirical data for TTRPG’s in therapeutic settings is still pending, anecdotal evidence and small, peer-reviewed studies suggest this niche of play therapy is beneficial to those who are willing to engage in the play space.
For additional information on Therapeutically Applied Tabletop Roleplaying games and trainings that are offered, there are several nonprofit organizations which provide deeper understanding.
https://www.thebodhanagroup.org/bodhanamodel - is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that advocates the use of tabletop gaming as a directed therapeutic and clinical practice that can benefit personal growth as well as enhance social and educational services to individuals and families.
www.geektheraputics.com - Geek Therapy encompasses many different paradigms of thought, intellectual curiosities, and specialized interests outside of “normal” social conformity. This can range from the more well-known areas of video games, comic cons, and TV shows to the less well-known topics of board games and verbose fantasy novels. Yet, there are clinicians who use these geek cultural artifacts to promote social normalcy, community, reduce anxiety and depression, and help clients understand who they are through their interests.
https://gametogrow.org/ - a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the use of all mediums of gaming (video games, board games, ttrpg’s) in a therapeutic setting to create opportunities for healing and change.
