Psychologists Off the Clock

Psychologists Off the Clock


330. Dungeons&Dragons in Therapy with Megan Connell

November 22, 2023

Many clinical professionals all over the world are incorporating tabletop roleplaying games (RPGs) into therapy. They offer diverse benefits and can be a game-changing way to introduce enjoyment and creativity into therapy sessions. For this conversation, we are thrilled to be joined by Megan Connell, author of Tabletop Role-Playing Therapy: A Guide for the Clinician Game Master, to talk about the advantages and potential of RPGs in therapy. Using the wildly popular Dungeons&Dragons as the primary example, we look at how coming together to solve problems, face conflicts, and overcome obstacles through collective storytelling can provide a safe and creative environment for individuals to explore without real-world consequences, while also building on skills such as social and confidence development. Listen in and elevate your therapy game with a perfect blend of fun and learning!


Listen and Learn:
  • Megan gives an introduction to therapeutically applied tabletop role-playing games and how they're played
  • The many benefits of tabletop role-playing games in teaching therapeutic skills 
  • The limitless possibilities of Dungeons&Dragons
  • How Megan approaches character creation for her clients
  • The overlap between the ACT Hexaflex Model and role-playing games


Resources:

About Dr. Megan Connell

Dr. Connell is a Licensed Psychologist and a Therapeutic Dungeon Master. She graduated from Argosy University Hawai’i in 2010 and served as a psychologist in the US Army for seven years. While in the Army she received specialty training focused on trauma and PTSD. In 2016, she left active duty and started her work in private practice. There, she has focused her work primarily on challenges related to anxiety, panic, changes in life, depression, trauma, and helping women on the autism spectrum. Through her work with Leyline Geek Therapeutics, she has helped train other mental health professionals on what geek culture is and how we can use geek culture to lead to better, more fulfilling lives. 


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