Preferred Name
Devon Howell
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Date of Graduation
5-11-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Educational Specialist (EdS)
Department
Department of Graduate Psychology
Advisor(s)
A. Renee Staton
Amanda Evans
Abstract
The purpose of this literature review is to explore the idea of using the game of Dungeons and Dragons as a form of group counseling in a therapeutic setting. A search of relevant literature was conducted to discover potential therapeutic utility and cultural aspects of this prospective methodology. It was hypothesized that while the topic might not be well researched, it will yield potential possibilities for therapeutic use. The research presents possibilities for different theoretical underpinnings; in particular, it offers a unique range of benefits to both the client (improvements to social skills, sense of community, and overall mental health), and the counselor (co-facilitation, opportunity to design a unique intervention). Research also explored racial/ethnic identity, gender identity, and sexual orientation relevance and considerations. The therapeutic use of tabletop role-playing games has recently become more researched and will hopefully continue to see growth.
Recommended Citation
Howell, Devon, "Dealing with your dragons: Counseling through Dungeons and Dragons" (2023). Educational Specialist, 2020-current. 76.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/edspec202029/76
