For youth aged 12-18
9 weeks on Saturdays:
January 11, 18, 25
February 1, 8, 15, 22
March 1, 8
This group is facilitated by James Das, Registered Psychotherapist (qualifying) and Dungeon Master Scott
Register by emailing hello@innerworkslondon.com
Please include your child’s name and age.
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), a popular tabletop role-playing game (RPG), offers a wide range of therapeutic benefits. These benefits extend across cognitive, emotional, social, and educational domains, making D&D a valuable tool in therapeutic settings.
Cognitive Benefits
Problem-Solving Skills: D&D involves complex scenarios that require strategic thinking and problem-solving, enhancing cognitive flexibility and critical thinking.
Creativity and Imagination: Players create characters and storylines, fostering creativity and imaginative thinking.
Memory and Recall: Keeping track of character details, game rules, and storyline elements can improve memory and recall abilities.
Executive Functioning: Planning actions, managing resources, and making decisions in the game can strengthen executive functioning skills.
Emotional and Mental Health Benefits
Emotional Regulation: Role-playing different scenarios helps players practice emotional regulation and empathy by experiencing and managing various emotions.
Stress Relief: Engaging in an immersive game can provide an enjoyable escape from daily stressors, promoting relaxation and stress relief.
Self-Expression: Creating and playing characters allows for self-expression, helping players explore and express different aspects of their personalities.
Self-Esteem and Confidence: Successfully navigating challenges and achieving goals in the game can boost self-esteem and confidence.
Social Benefits
Communication Skills: D&D requires players to communicate effectively with each other, enhancing verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Teamwork and Collaboration: The game involves group decision-making and teamwork, promoting collaboration and cooperative problem-solving.
Social Interaction: Regular gameplay sessions provide opportunities for social interaction, helping players develop social skills and form friendships.
Conflict Resolution: Players learn to negotiate and resolve conflicts within the game, promoting healthy conflict resolution skills.
Educational Benefits
Learning and Knowledge: D&D can involve elements of history, mythology, mathematics, and literature, providing educational content in an engaging context.
Literacy Skills: Reading and writing character backstories, game rules, and in-game notes can improve literacy skills.
Critical Thinking: Analyzing game scenarios and making strategic decisions enhances critical thinking and analytical skills.
Therapeutic Interventions
Anxiety and Depression: D&D can provide a supportive and engaging environment that helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): The game can be used to improve social skills, communication, and imaginative play for individuals with ASD.
Trauma and PTSD: Role-playing can offer a safe way to explore and process traumatic experiences, aiding in trauma recovery.