Therapeutic Gaming
Therapeutic Gaming at Sanctuary Counseling
What is Therapeutic Gaming in a Psychotherapy Setting?
Therapeutic Gaming at Sanctuary Counseling is a structured group therapy experience that uses tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), like Dungeons & Dragons, to support emotional insight, self-expression, identity exploration, and social skill-building. Each group is co-facilitated by a psychotherapist and a certified therapeutic game master, ensuring both clinical depth and immersive, responsive storytelling.
All participants are actively engaged in individual therapy, either at Sanctuary or with an outside therapist. Our gaming campaigns are custom-designed to meet the therapeutic goals of each player. These goals are identified during a pre-screening intake session and refined through direct collaboration with individual therapists. This integrated model allows clients to explore themes like trust, identity, boundaries, resilience, an emotional regulation within a supportive, imaginative framework that enhances the work they’re already doing in individual therapy.
What Therapeutic Gaming Is - and Is Not
Therapeutic Gaming Includes:
Group tabletop role-playing sessions led by a psychotherapist and a certified therapeutic game master
Intentional narrative arcs designed around each player’s therapeutic goals
Pre-screening intake, intention setting, and reflective processing
Coordination with individual therapists to align with individual work
Safe, creative spaces for identity exploration and emotional practice
Reiki Therapy Does Not Include:
Recreational or drop-in game nights
Generic or entertainment-only gameplay
Unstructured play without clinical input
Replacement for individual therapy or primary treatment
Passive or non-participatory involvement
What to Expect in a Gaming Session
After completing a pre-screening and intake session, players are placed into a small group that meets regularly in our Douglassville offices or remotely via our secure telehealth platform. Each session is guided by a psychotherapist and a certified therapeutic game master who collaborate to shape gameplay around the clinical themes most relevant to the group.
Sessions begin with a shared check-in and intention-setting ritual. From there, players step into their chosen characters and engage in a guided narrative designed to promote insight, social interaction, emotional expression, and problem-solving. At the end of each session, the group reflects on their experiences and identifies what they play to bring back into their individual therapy work.
Participation requires active engagement, curiosity, and a willingness to show up for both the story and the self. No prior gaming experience is needed - just a readiness to explore healing through story, connection, and play.
FAQs About Therapeutic Gaming Groups
Q: Do I need to be in therapy to join?
A: Yes. All participants must be actively engaged in individual therapy, either with a Sanctuary clinician or an outside provider. This ensures that insights and experiences from the gaming group are supported and processed in a trusted one-on-one space.
Q: What if I’ve never played Dungeons & Dragons before?
A: No experience is needed. Your facilitators will introduce everything you need to know. The focus is not on rules or strategy but on connection, creativity, and emotional exploration.
Q: Can you coordinate with my therapist?
A: Absolutely. With your permission, we consult directly with your individual therapist to help shape group themes, therapeutic focus, and integration between sessions. We work in collaboration, not in isolation.
Q: When does the next group start? How can I sign up?
A: Great question! Check out our Groups and Events pages for dates and more information. You can also call or contact us any time!
Meet Our Gaming Facilitators
Therapeutic Gaming Groups are co-led by psychotherapists and certified therapeutic game masters. Our facilitators combine clinical skill, trauma-informed care, and storytelling expertise to guide meaningful, engaging sessions tailed to client needs.
View Our Facilitator Profiles:
Oriana Kramer Almquist (therapist)
Matthew Harrington (game master)
Coming Soon: A Look Inside Our Therapeutic Gaming Space
We’re currently developing a short video tour that walks you through a typical gaming group experience at Sanctuary Counseling. You’ll get a look at our welcoming therapy spaces in Douglassville, meet members of our facilitation team, and hear more about how narrative, connection, and emotional growth unfold around the table.
Video coming soon. Stay tuned!
Interested in this or other group offerings at Sanctuary?
Visit our Groups page to learn more about our full range of support and therapy groups, including LGBTQ+ Support, Survivor Support, and many others!
Downloadable Info Sheet
Click here for a printable guide for referring providers and interested players. You can also contact us to request this information directly.