I think I speak for all of us in saying that we can all benefit from a little therapy here and there. Healthy practices can help you work through your problems, reduce stress or anxiety, and give you a better peace of mind. But therapy doesn’t have to be just sitting down with a therapist once a week. It can come in all kinds of forms. Music, soaking in the bathtub, and journaling are all therapeutic activities. But something you wouldn’t typically expect to make that list is a niche fantasy role-playing game. An NPR article explores the idea of Dungeons & Dragons being used as therapy for conditions like anxiety or PTSD.
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy game where players embark on compelling adventures and roll high for glory. Recently, studies are framing the game as a form of therapy. It’s still all in good fun, classic adventures with your party and all, but it’s more than that. Jenny Siler is a speech and language pathologist who works with kids with autism and ADHD. She’s tweaked the game for children working through their communication skills.
“For kids working on expressive language, Siler creates monsters that are defeated when you describe them. Or for softer skills like self-advocacy, figuring out how to ask for help could get you a bonus roll of the dice,” the article reads. This way, children can test things out with support before trying in the real world.
D&D Therapy Bases Characters On Themselves
D&D therapy doesn’t just apply to kids. Other studies have formatted the game for adults who struggle with PTSD. Seth Dellinger is a Marine Corps combat veteran who joined a therapeutic D&D game. Hidden behind the mask of adventure and fantasy, the game really focuses on deeper rooted issues.
“Say that you’re looking inward towards yourself and finding what your strengths are and what your weaknesses are, but it’s under a guise and veil of Dungeons & Dragons,” Dellinger shares.
The article describes how healing the concept of using D&D as therapy can be, but also how carefully it needs to be navigated. A campaign padded around trauma could easily be too overwhelming. Researchers have launched a group called Geek Therapeutics. The nine-week therapeutic DM training class teaches best practices for running these games. Both licensed professional or casual players wanting to do more can sign up. I wonder how many more people would do therapy if they knew D&D were an option.
The post DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Could Help Ease Your Anxiety appeared first on Nerdist.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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