Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games provides a comprehensive
approach to implementing therapeutically applied role-playing game
(TA-RPG) groups for mental health practitioners.
When facilitated by a trained professional, TA-RPGs are a powerful tool
for insight, growth, and change for individuals and communities. The
Game to Grow Method of Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games is
a transdiagnostic, transtheoretical, group intervention developed over a
decade of practice using Dungeons & Dragons and other popular tabletop
role-playing game systems, as well as leveraging therapeutic factors from
acceptance and commitment therapy, marriage and family therapy, drama
therapy, and interpersonal process groups. TA-RPGs are conceptualized
as a gaming system layered on top of established intervention techniques.
They can accommodate a multitude of game systems and align with
theoretical mechanisms for change found across therapeutic orientations.
This work serves as a comprehensive training manual for TA-RPGs,
providing a valuable resource for mental health professionals interested
in incorporating TA-RPGs into their practice.