Washington Library Association Bibliotherapy Summit, 2024

Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games: Using Games to Foster Growth and Connection

Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder have seen a boom in popularity with shows like Critical Role and Dimension 20, with fans of all types drawn in by the idea of collaborative, creative play. Aside from their mass appeal, these games can also be harnessed in therapeutic and educational spaces to foster growth and positive change even amongst hard to reach populations. This panel will join experts in Therapeutically Applied TTRPGS as they answer questions and discuss best practices in how these games can be employed as tools of personal development and used to foster spaces for self-exploration and growth with diverse populations.

Presenters:

Hayden Jones, LMHC

Dr. Jared Kilmer, PhD

Ellie Lovde, LMHCA