Video Game Counseling for Providers
Video Game Consulting
Are you a therapist who struggles to connect with the video game interest of their clients? Do you want to enhance your therapy skills in a video game and VR setting? While helping your clients achieve their goals? If so, you might be interested in learning to use the therapy skills you’ve honed in the virtual world!.
Clients that respond better in virtual settings may have different ways of expressing their emotions, coping with stress, and relating to others. Therefore, therapists need to adapt their techniques and strategies to suit the needs of their client in the virtual world.
I will teach you how to:
– Build rapport and trust with your clients and their families.
– Use developmentally appropriate assessment tools and interventions in these virtual settings.
– Apply evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, and family therapy in video game and VR settings.
– Deal with common issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, autism, and behavioral problems in video game and VR settings.
– Incorporate creative and fun activities into your sessions.
– Handle ethical issues in video game and VR settings.
Through our consulting sessions, you will have a comprehensive understanding and a toolkit of practical skills that you can apply in your practice.
If you are ready to take your therapy skills to the next level, book a consultation appointment today!
How Video Games Help Create Therapeutic Space
Video game therapy is a novel approach I developed in response to the sudden physical distance requirements and switch to telehealth. I took the leap into this new terrain when the COVID19 pandemic took away the play activities like hiking, basketball, art, and board games. My in-person talk therapy and play therapy sessions became replaced by video games and telehealth sessions. To adapt to telehealth and bring the same spark and energy to the session, I blended gaming and therapy to help clients overcome their initial barriers to expressing themselves to communicate their struggles.
The immersive, artistic, and creative medium that video games provide for therapists, counselors, social workers, and psychologists can help their clients process their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. With the increase in isolation, depression, anxiety, substance use, and other difficulties caused by COVID19, video games have provided an accessible way to find a release from the stressors of the outside world.
Building Skills in Video Games
When our clients reach a healthier balance with their gaming, the world can really light up for them as they connect with others, build problem-solving skills, explore their artistic and narrative sides, and embark on their own hero’s journey of transformation. My own individual and group therapy principles are modeled on these goals, as kids get to build conflict resolution, social, and communication skills at age-appropriate levels, without falling behind their grade level, due to the lack of school recesses and programs.
Sometimes, the use of video games can increase as clients escape away from the harsh realities of the world. Video game habits can become problematic, but in some ways, video games can also serve a helpful and useful purpose. I also work with children, teens, adults, and families in building healthier video game habits so that they can live healthier and fuller lives.
Unlocking The Gift Of Therapy Through Video Games
Video games have been a helpful tool in creating a therapy space for my individual and group sessions with children. I’ve been witness to many closed-off, shy, and avoidant kids light up when presented with the opportunity to play a video game and build a connection with me. With the introduction of video games in my sessions, kids have been able to freely express themselves, build insight, and use those discoveries to make meaningful changes.
With a blend of gaming and therapy, I’ve been able to help clients process their struggles, face their demons, and build a self-actualized life. With all of the success happening in my sessions, I’ve wanted to share this knowledge and help other therapists help their clients work through recurrent issues such as feeling stuck, avoidance, overthinking, low motivation, grief & loss, and low self-esteem. I know I was feeling ineffective, lost, and defeated before I developed my video game therapy toolkit and I want to help other therapists who are struggling as well.
How Video Game Counseling Can Help Your Therapy Practice
My hope is that the information, consultations, and trainings I provide can help you translate your clinical skills over to the virtual world, where you can be as effective as you were during your in-person sessions. You’ve already spent years and thousands of dollars to learn these skills to help your clients. With video game consulting, you’ll be able to authentically connect with your clients and build that bridge with them. Once again, your clinical skills shine through and you’ll be able to witness your clients build the courage to open up to you and make those great new discoveries about themselves.
I’d like for therapy to feel great again for both you and your clients. If you’d like help in connecting the dots and filling the gaps in utilizing video games in therapy, please click the button below and schedule an appointment with me. I hope to hear from you soon!
