What’s the difference between D&D and D&D Therapy?
Short answer: not much! For a game designed almost 50 years ago, the worlds, characters, and game mechanics of Dungeons and Dragons - D&D for short - have held up fairly well*. But it is the cooperative and creative spirit behind the game more than the rules themselves that have made D&D accessible and engaging to people all over the world, and that provide the perfect (literal) playground for learning and practicing important life skills.
Research-Supported
There are many studies showing that the mental health benefits to D&D - as well as other tabletop role-playing games - go far beyond escapist, fantasy entertainment. From treating depression and suicidality to providing a great place to practice social skills, the therapeutic benefits of D&D seem endless. One study even describes D&D as being an “effective moral training ground”, promoting moral development, and highlighting the difference between antisocial and prosocial violence, the kind of training that is needed now more than ever.
Cultivating Self-Insight
Another important therapeutic element of D&D is the self-insight players use (intentionally or not), particularly during character creation. When creating their characters, players will often draw from their own values, aspirations, and past experiences. Therapeutic D&D takes that self-exploration a step further, intentionally integrating ACT-inspired, values-based exercises into the character creation process.
Exercising Problem-Solving Skills
Collaboration and problem-solving are absolutely essential in order to achieve the goals and uphold the values of the group. Each player character joins the party with their own unique, class-specific skillset. As in real life, cooperation and unity are the key to meeting any D&D challenge. Can’t reach the bag of chips on the top of the fridge? Ask your tall friend! Having trouble opening the lock on a treasure chest you found in an underwater library? Ask your elven rogue party-member! (Just make sure to check for traps first*)
Practicing MIndfulness and Self-Regulation
Other features unique to Therapeutic D&D include the incorporation of emotion-regulation exercises into gameplay, character and self-reflection exercises, and a variety of other fun and engaging activities designed to level up the player’s real-world interpersonal skills, and build trust in their relationships with the other party-members.
*The treasure chest, probably not the fridge.
Our Mission
While knowing the rules is important to a successful game, any D&D player will tell you that what can really make or break a campaign is the quality of the Dungeon Master. Just like a therapist is responsible for creating a safe space for their clients, it is the responsibility of the DM to create a nurturing, safe, empowering environment where all of the players’ qualities and strengths can really shine. We are committed to creating that space for our players.
COmmitment to Inclusivity
Mark and I both feel very strongly about inclusivity in all spaces, and believe that therapeutic D&D is the perfect environment for fostering acceptance of self and others. In the past several years, table top role playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder have been pushing for more minority representation. In June of 2020, Wizards of the Coasts (the publishers of D&D) released a statement regarding their intentions for D&D’s newest addition, saying that the “explicit design goals of 5th edition D&D is to depict humanity in all its beautiful diversity by depicting characters who represent an array of ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and beliefs”.
Andrea Boyd, LGSW
“As someone who only discovered D&D during the pandemic (and immediately thought WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE??), I can identify with anyone who is a new player or who is wanting to try it for the first time. I have found D&D and other tabletop role playing games to be such powerful venues for fun and play, identity exploration, emotional exploration, and katharsis. And I am passionate about helping others experience these things too!”
Kitty Kendall, LCMHC
“I want to give kids the kind of fun, empowering, positive experiences with D&D that I got when I was a teen! I truly believe that there is no better way to make friends and create community than through tabletop gaming.”
How do I sign up??
Send us a message expressing your interest! We’ll start with a brief virtual intake to give us a chance to get to know you, and give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have. We want to leave the surprises and plot twists for the campaign!
Important note: This is an entry-level D&D group, no experience with D&D or any other TTRPGs (Tabletop Role Playing Games) necessary. Each player will be provided with all gameplay materials necessary to get started, including a digital copy of the D&D Player’s Handbook, character sheets, spell sheets, and more!
