HEALTHY LIVING


elements of their psychological issues. As their avatars take on the


challenges of the game, players can vicariously learn something about themselves in the process. “The game allows people to


pursue things they might feel uncomfortable about from a certain distance,” says Nation. “What you do may go great or


Mind T E


it may go poorly, but there are no consequences outside the game. So, you can try anything safely, and whatever works, you can try to incorporate in real-life situations.” Sessions are often done in groups


Games


Dungeons & Dragons leads wave of new mental health therapies. :: BY GARY GREENBERG


herapists have a surprising new weapon in the battle against mental illness — the


once vilified role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. D&D, as it’s commonly called,


was linked to satanism, suicides, and some sensational crimes back in the 1980s. That so-called “satanic panic”


proved to be groundless, and now the popular tabletop game has emerged


Who It Can Help


xperts say Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) therapy


may help people with other conditions in a variety of ways, depending on an individual’s needs. Examples include: Anxiety. Through their


characters, players can soldier on through worries and fears, giving them psychological


as a force for good in treating people with anxiety, depression, post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many other mental health conditions. “I find it quite ironic that one of


the original concerns with Dungeons & Dragons was players’ mental health, and now we find that it actually helps them,” says psychologist Will Nation, Ph.D., who started a D&D therapy program at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and now serves as director of the nonprofit Professional Organization for Therapeutically Applied Gaming (PROTAG).


of three to six players, either in person or through video conferencing. The therapist typically acts as the Dungeon (or Game) Master, who guides the narrative. Once their characters are established, players embark on a collaborative fantasy adventure, working to battle “monsters” and face other challenges as they seek to attain goals. After the game ends, the


NATION


HOW IT WORKS Experts say the key to the therapeutic value comes from players creating characters for the game that reflect themselves in various ways, including


pathways to potentially pursue in the real world. The collaborative nature of the game can also help those with social anxiety feel more comfortable interacting with others. Depression. Each


character has a special skill — magic powers, sword-fighting, etc. — that the others depend on, which gives players a sense of worth. And that can


78 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | OCTOBER 2025


therapist leads a discussion during which players can share psychological insights about themselves and others.


This type of therapy is not limited


to D&D. Any one of many tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) can be used, as well as video games, anime, superheroes, TV shows, and other forms of pop culture. But since D&D is the oldest and


be empowering to people suffering from depression. Attention Deficit


Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The game is inherently interesting, goal-oriented, and fun, which can help people with ADHD focus better and improve their attention span. Post-Traumatic Stress


Disorder (PTSD). People who bottle up their emotions


BOOKS/MICHAELRLOPEZ©ISTOCK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100