What is Dungeons, Dragons, and Therapy?
(And How Playing a Fantasy Character Can Help You Grow in Real Life)
Imagine a different way of doing therapy - less sitting on a couch and talking and more adventuring with a group of friends through a fantasy landscape…
Dungeons, Dragons, & Therapy (oh my!) is a unique group experience that blends fantasy role-playing with real-world emotional work. It's part game, part narrative, part process group—and it just might help you access new parts of yourself that traditional therapy hasn’t quite reached.
If you’re intrigued but not sure what to expect—or wondering what dragons have to do with boundaries, anxiety, or self-worth—then read on! This blog post is for you.
Wait, So Is This Just Playing Dungeons & Dragons?
Not quite. While Dungeons, Dragons, & Therapy draws inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), it’s built specifically for therapy. It’s a simplified version of the beloved tabletop game that is easy to grasp for beginners (and seasoned players). The group uses a simplified role-playing structure designed for beginners, and gameplay is guided by a licensed therapist - that’s me!
You don’t need to:
Know how to play D&D
Memorize rules or lore
Act or perform (though you absolutely can and it’s really fun)
Have prior knowledge of table-top roleplaying or fantasy worlds
This group is focused on therapy first. The fantasy and play elements are therapeutic tools for expression, meaning-building, and bonding as a group.
I’m an Adult. Why Would I Play in Therapy?
Therapy is a space where we talk about our relationships and patterns. But in Dungeons & Therapy, you don’t just talk — you get to try on something new. And sometimes doing it in a playful way can feel more accessible and less intimidating than traditional group therapy.
Part of how we do that is you choose a character archetype that reflects what you're working on in real life.
For example:
Someone who wants to feel less anxious might play an Optimistic or Relaxed character
A people-pleaser might take on the Assertive archetype to practice setting limits
Someone who’s guarded might explore being Vulnerable or Trusting
Then you embody this character in a shared story, facing puzzles, moral dilemmas, and teamwork challenges. You’re invited to make choices, solve problems, speak up, take risks — all while supported by a small group and a therapist who’s paying attention to how your character reflects your real-life growth goals. And I reward you when you lean into your archetype!
How Playing a Character Creates Change in “Real” Life
So why does this work?
Because when we roleplay, we activate imagination, memory, and emotion all at once! We can temporarily suspend the fear of “getting it wrong,” and we can give ourselves permission to act from a place we don’t always access in day-to-day life.
Playing a character allows you to:
Practice new relational skills in a safe, creative space
Explore behaviors and identities outside your usual comfort zone
Notice internal blocks—when your character wants to do something brave and your nervous system says “nope!”
Build compassion for the parts of you that show up under stress and lean into your supports to support yourself
And when the play ends, we don’t just log off and leave it there. We process what came up. We talk about:
What choices your character made—and what that reflects about your current patterns
How it felt to speak up, stay quiet, lead, follow, caretake, freeze, or say no
What you learned about yourself through your in-game reactions
What you want to carry forward into your real life
This is not just a game. It’s a space to rewrite your story while you’re still in it.
What Kind of Growth Is Possible?
Here are just a few things we’ve worked on through fantasy character embodiment:
Assertiveness: Practicing saying what you really want—even if you’re internally trembling in your boots
Boundaries: Learning how to set limits and practice allowing yourself to disappoint in a low stakes setting
Emotional expression: Letting anger, sadness, or tenderness come through in a character who doesn’t “always keep it together”
Self-trust: Making bold moves, trusting your instincts, and seeing how others respond
Group dynamics: Navigating conflict, decision-making, or support as part of a team — without always defaulting to being a helper, fixer, or avoider
Sometimes it's easier to try something new when it's not you (though it really is actually you).
What Happens in a Session?
You’ll start with a one-on-one intake session with me to talk through your goals, choose an archetype, and begin building your character. No fantasy experience required—I’ll walk you through it step-by-step.
Then, in a small group of 4–6 others, we’ll:
Introduce your characters and set the stage for your shared journey
Enter a fantasy scenario where you'll work together to explore, make decisions, and solve problems
Encounter challenges that bring up emotions and choices related to your growth goals
Pause for breaks, reflection, and group support throughout
End with out-of-character processing, connecting the dots between gameplay and real life
Whether you join a monthly or an intensive, you'll leave with more than a cool story. You'll leave with insight, skills, and a stronger connection to the part of you that's ready for something different.
All of You Is Welcome—Even the Parts Still Figuring It Out
You don’t have to be outgoing, nerdy, creative, or confident to join this group. Though I admit nerds tend to be drawn to it! :)
You just have to be:
A little curious
A little open
And a little tired of doing things the same way and hoping for a different result
There’s room for quiet players. Room for awkward moments. Room for messiness. And definitely room for laughter and magic.
Now Accepting New Players!
There are two ways to join:
Monthly Group
Meets once a month on Sundays for 3 hours
Virtual, for Georgia residents
Includes first a 75 minute 1:1 intake with me, character creation, and structured post-game processing
All-Day Group Intensive
One full-day experience (6 hours)
Includes a 75-minute 1:1 intake session
Personalized materials + integration support
Ideal for those who can’t commit to an ongoing group or want a focused experience
Ready to Join the Party?
Spots are limited, and tend to fill quickly. If you're curious (even just a little), I’d love to invite you to:
👉 Learn more about the group
👉 Reach out with questions
Adventure awaits!