Therapeutic Tabletop Role-Playing Game Groups for Tweens, Teens, and Young Adults

Looking for a therapeutic group to develop social skills, create friendships, build self-esteem and be more socially connected? Are creativity, exploration, and adventure important for your personal growth?

If you answered yes, then a Tabletop Role-playing Group may be just what you’re looking for.

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Tabletop Role-playing Groups

I’m Dr. Kelli Dunlap, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in games and mental health. I have a masters in game design and use games as part of my therapeutic practice with individuals. My co-facilitator, Max Raabe, MA also has a masters in game design and has been GMing (aka facilitating) group tabletop games for over a decade. Together, we’re excited to provide a unique therapeutic group that uses role-playing games as a tool for developing social skills and fostering interpersonal well-being.

The use of tabletop role-playing games in a therapeutic setting is not new, but it is a rapidly developing area of clinical interest. Roleplaying is a well-established clinical tool that allows a person to practice a variety of skills, such as effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, in a supportive environment and without social risk. Situations requiring these skills occur naturally in tabletop gaming – no one takes on the Final Boss alone. Because the game is a step removed from “real life,” it provides space for players to more earnestly explore novel situations, to conjure creative and unique solutions, and practice interacting with others through play and performance.

Goals of the Tabletop Roleplaying Groups include the development and improvement of:

• Effective interpersonal communication
• Problem-solving 
• Setting, maintaining, and respecting boundaries
• Conflict resolution
• Identifying and managing emotions
• Peer interaction

Group Details

The tabletop group will meet once a week for 90 minutes over a 10 week period at the Kentlands Psychotherapy office. Each session will be facilitated by Dr. Dunlap and Mr. Raabe to ensure that all participants progress toward their treatment goals while remaining immersed in an epic roleplaying adventure. 

ATTENDANCE:

Both group therapy and role-playing games work best when members are reliably and consistently present. When one member is gone, it affects the entire group. By joining this group, members agree to come weekly unless there is an emergency or serious illness. For this group to be effective, members must make attendance a priority. 

FEES / BILLING:

Each “campaign” takes place over 10 weeks with 90 minute sessions once per week. The fee for a campaign is $750. The fee is due in full prior to the start of the group. Although we do not accept insurance, each group member will receive a superbill of their sessions at the end of the month that they can be submit to their insurance for reimbursement.

REGISTRATION:

Call Dr. Kelli Dunlap at (240) 252-3349 Ext. 805 for questions about the programs and for details about the registration process!

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REGISTRATION OPEN FOR THE FOLLOWING GROUPS

Young Adult Social Skills Group: 8 Weeks

Meeting time: Thursdays from 3:00PM – 4:30PM 

Starting: April 9, 2020

Ages: College (18-22) 

Game: Dungeons and Dragons, 5th Edition

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Request a Spot in Kelli’s Group

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COMING SUMMER 2020!

June 2020 Tabletop Role-playing Summer Camp

(Ages 12 – 14; mixed)

Details Coming Soon

 

June 2020 Tabletop Role-playing Summer Bootcamp

(Ages 14 – 16; mixed)

Details Coming Soon

 

June 2020 Tabletop Role-playing Camp for Self-Rescuing Princess

(Ages 12 – 14; girls only)

Details Coming Soon

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About the Facilitators

Dr Kelli Dunlap, PsyD is licensed psychologist specializing in games and mental health. With a masters in game design as well as her doctorate in clinical psychology, she’s our resident Geek and Gamer Therapist. Dr. Dunlap has been researching games and mental health for over a decade and is internationally known as an expert in the field. Her clinical expertise is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and she integrates her experience in gameplay and game design to foster personal development and psychological growth in both individual and group settings.

Max Raabe, MA is a mental health paraprofessional, game designer, and expert tabletop facilitator.