PAX East, 2026

But Is It Ethical? Therapy In Games

While you may not realize it you have likely engaged with observed or performed some form of therapy in the games you have been playing. The addition of themes around mental health in games has been a bright spot pushing forward what is possible for the medium but there are also many unethical uses of therapy speech tactics and ideas in games. These unethical therapy depictions can range from silly to uncomfortable to harmful. The therapists psychologists and social workers on this panel will watch brief therapy depictions from a selection of games and tackle the ethics: what works what doesn't and what's harmful.

Panelists:

Bryan Lally, LSW (he/him) [Human Services Coordinator II]

Celeste Sangiorgio, Ph.D. (she/her) [Licensed Clinical Psychologist Interim Program Director Behavioral Health Department, Rochester Institute of Technology]

Dr. Amelia Herbst, PsyD(she/her) [Clinical Psychologist, Respec Psychological]

James "Bio-Roxas" Clark, LPC (he/him) [Clinical Therapist and Content Creator, Recovery Solutions]

Hayden Jones, LMHC [Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Respec Psychological Services]