Bean still GMs for some clients about once every other week and tailors his games to the players. “I really focus on certain objectives and goals that they need to learn, whether it's working with the autism population or working with some group of depression, anxiety, social skills,” Bean said. “You name it, we can create an entire story arc based on what their needs are.
Boccamazzo was diagnosed with autism at 35 and said that D&D provided a safe framework to practice various social scripts he was able to translate into his real life. Playing D&D also gave Boccamazzo a core group of friends, many of whom he is still in touch with. In a therapeutic context, Boccamazzo says role-playing can make the process of going to therapy less challenging. “It's way easier for me to go and engage in a process that I find enjoyable, as opposed to going to somebody's office knowing I'm going to talk about some very painful, very difficult things directly,” Boccamazzo says. “If something's fun you're gonna go to it again.
We played games like Yahtzee. Uno. Sorry. Trouble. Dominos. Life. Monopoly. Battle Ship. Backgammon. And more. Very therapeutic.
Thanks for the interview, !
dreamwisp “In a therapeutic setting” — key phrase. D&D is no stand in for therapy. Need help? Get help. Think someone around you needs help? Reach out. Reality is for people who can’t face Fantasy. D&D isn’t a substitute for people who can’t face therapy. dnd Mentalhealth Criticalrole
Thanks for the interview and the great article !
An old group I worked with did this for years and it was incredible. I actually ran groups in Hospice facilities from 2010 to 2012. Just amazing more people are doing it.