Group Therapy

Information

*** NOW ACCEPTING INQUIRES FOR SPRING 2024 ***

What is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a form of therapy that involves one (or more) therapists working with several people at the same time. It is sometimes used alone and sometimes integrated into an individual therapy treatment plan. Group therapy allows people to receive the support and encouragement of the other members of the group. Group therapy also allows the therapist to see first-hand how each person responds to other people and behaves in social situations.

Dungeons and Dragons 5th Ed Players Handbook with dice surrounding it

What is Dungeons and Dragons?

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Ameson and first published in 1979. It is currently published by Wizards of the Coast and has gone through several editions (currently on 5th Edition). Pulling from wargaming and fantasy, Dungeons & Dragons allows players to create characters, join a group of fellow adventurers, and explore many different lands with endless possibilities. The group is led by a Dungeon Master who is responsible for rule keeping and narrating the world around the adventurers.

battle map with seven miniatures representing characters engaged in battle

How is Dungeons and Dragons being used for group therapy?

The concept of role-playing in general is not a new therapy technique and has been demonstrated to be particularly helpful to work through certain mental health concerns. There has also been a lot of research around the mental health benefits of engaging in play - yes, even for adults! Play is crucial for child development, but it has been shown to have benefits across a lifetime such as added joy to life, stress relief, enhance learning, and connect you to others and the world around you. Play helps us to assimilate information we’ve learned, test new ways of behaving before using them in real life, hone our social skills, and boost our creative problem solving abilities. Dungeons and Dragons (and other Tabletop Role Playing Games) are now being incorporated into group therapy as an engaging way to improve social skills with peers, increase self-esteem and self-confidence, enhance one’s ability to express one’s self and express one’s needs assertively, improved impulse control and practice with turn-taking, increased frustration tolerance, stronger creative thinking, and stronger problem-solving skills. The best part is that with the therapy baked into a fun game, it is easy to get people of all ages to engage and grow.

Games to Grow has compiled a list of research on the topic of TTRPGs as therapy which you can access here if you would like more reading on the topic.

comic of a man sitting at a desk filled with books and holding his head with one hand

Do I need to know how to play before joining a group?

No!

You will be taught everything you need to successfully participate in group. Your therapist will assist you in creating a character in an individual session before groups starts. You will be able to come up with ideas and ask questions during the initial session and during group. Any time you need clarification on rules or help understanding you can ask your therapeutic game master; their job is to guide you and teach you. We offer a learn as you go environment, however if you do prefer to prepare beforehand there are many resources available online to help get you started. You will also be given some introductory handout information about how to play your character at the individual session.

Dungeons and Dragons battle map with miniatures of characters

What is the structure for DnD group?

Therapy groups consist of between 4-6 individuals. Sessions are in person at our office located at 10560 Main Street Suite 616 Fairfax, VA 22030. Each session will run for 2 hours. There is an allotted 10 minutes at the beginning of the session to get settled down and review what happened last session. 1.5 hours will be spent playing the campaign. The final 20 minutes of the session will be used to debrief what happened and process learning for real-life applicability of skills. The campaign will run 12 sessions form start to finish. It is important that you attend each session as D&D is a collaboration and you will be missed if you are not there to help your party out. Groups are closed, meaning that you will start your group with the same people you end your group with.

Current Session Spaces

Ages 11 - 14 SPRING 2024

Saturdays 10am-12pm | The next session starts Saturday January 27th and will run until April 27th with breaks on March 16 and March 23. Space is limited to 6.

Saturdays 4pm-6pm | The next session starts Saturday January 27th and will run until April 27th with breaks on March 16 and March 23. Space is limited to 6.

Ages 15 - 18 SPRING 2024

Saturdays 1pm-3pm | The next session starts Saturday January 27th and will run until April 27th with breaks on March 16 and March 23. Space is limited to 6.

Adults

Currently accepting inquires for a WAITLIST. Once enough interest is received for a group, scheduling will happen.