For youth aged 12-18

9 weeks on Saturdays:

Sept 14, 21, 28

October 5, 12, 19, 26

November 2, 9

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.