Roll for Initiative: Using Dungeons and Dragons in Play Therapy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dungeons and Dragons® (D&D) is more than just a roleplaying game. D&D can help children develop real-world skills through cooperative storytelling, character development, and fantasy play. With the support of a trained mental health counselor, children can work toward clinical goals using D&D to improve social skills, self-concept, empathy, and problem-solving. D&D provides a framework for allowing children to experience challenging situations and learn in non-threatening ways to solve problems and collaborate with peers. We provide an overview of D&D, identify benefits to using D&D in play therapy settings, present a pathway to becoming a game master, and explore steps for implementing D&D into play therapy practice.