What Is TTRPG Therapy?
At Brave Counselling, one of the ways we help people heal, grow, and thrive is through something called TTRPG Therapy.
You might not have heard that term before — but chances are, you’ve heard of Dungeons & Dragons or role-playing games in general. TTRPG Therapy takes the power of these games and uses them intentionally for mental health and personal development.
TTRPG stands for Tabletop Role-Playing Game. In a TTRPG, a group of people sit around a table (real or virtual) and step into the shoes of characters they create. Together, they go on adventures, solve problems, face challenges, and tell a shared story — guided by a facilitator, often called a "Game Master" or "Dungeon Master".
In TTRPG Therapy, the game is designed with clear therapeutic goals in mind. The facilitator isn’t just running a game — they’re also a trained therapist or counsellor who uses the experience to help participants build real-world skills, process emotions, and experience personal growth.
How Does It Work?Each session is part game, part therapy. Players create characters and work together to overcome challenges, just like in a typical role-playing game. However, every element of the story — the obstacles, the choices, the victories — is thoughtfully planned to help participants:
Why Is TTRPG Therapy So Effective?Storytelling and play are natural ways that humans learn and grow.
When we play, we’re able to think creatively, take risks, and imagine new possibilities for ourselves.
Role-playing allows people to:
TTRPG Therapy is particularly powerful for young people (children and teenagers), neurodiverse individuals (such as those with ADHD or autism), and adults who finds traditional talk therapy challenging.
What Makes Brave Counselling’s TTRPG Therapy Different?At Brave Counselling, we combine expert therapeutic guidance with a deep love for role-playing games and the communities that grow around them.
Our programs are designed around Critical Core, a TTRPG system developed specifically for therapeutic use. We structure our games thoughtfully, setting clear goals for each group based on their needs and strengths.
Each game session is:
Ready to Level Up?If you're curious about how TTRPG Therapy could help you or someone you love, we’d love to talk.
Reach out today to find out more about our current programs, or book a spot in one of our upcoming groups.
At Brave Counselling, we believe everyone deserves a chance to be the hero of their own story.
Let’s roll the dice together and see what’s possible.
You might not have heard that term before — but chances are, you’ve heard of Dungeons & Dragons or role-playing games in general. TTRPG Therapy takes the power of these games and uses them intentionally for mental health and personal development.
TTRPG stands for Tabletop Role-Playing Game. In a TTRPG, a group of people sit around a table (real or virtual) and step into the shoes of characters they create. Together, they go on adventures, solve problems, face challenges, and tell a shared story — guided by a facilitator, often called a "Game Master" or "Dungeon Master".
In TTRPG Therapy, the game is designed with clear therapeutic goals in mind. The facilitator isn’t just running a game — they’re also a trained therapist or counsellor who uses the experience to help participants build real-world skills, process emotions, and experience personal growth.
How Does It Work?Each session is part game, part therapy. Players create characters and work together to overcome challenges, just like in a typical role-playing game. However, every element of the story — the obstacles, the choices, the victories — is thoughtfully planned to help participants:
- Build social skills
- Improve communication and teamwork
- Practice problem-solving and decision-making
- Explore values
- Develop emotional regulation and resilience
- Experience empowerment and belonging
Why Is TTRPG Therapy So Effective?Storytelling and play are natural ways that humans learn and grow.
When we play, we’re able to think creatively, take risks, and imagine new possibilities for ourselves.
Role-playing allows people to:
- Experiment with different aspects of their personality
- Process real-life challenges through metaphor and story
- Experience successes and build confidence in a supportive environment
- Connect with others in meaningful ways
TTRPG Therapy is particularly powerful for young people (children and teenagers), neurodiverse individuals (such as those with ADHD or autism), and adults who finds traditional talk therapy challenging.
What Makes Brave Counselling’s TTRPG Therapy Different?At Brave Counselling, we combine expert therapeutic guidance with a deep love for role-playing games and the communities that grow around them.
Our programs are designed around Critical Core, a TTRPG system developed specifically for therapeutic use. We structure our games thoughtfully, setting clear goals for each group based on their needs and strengths.
Each game session is:
- Welcoming and Inclusive — Everyone has a seat at the table.
- Therapeutically Informed — Run by counsellors who understand how to create emotional safety and opportunities for growth.
- Strengths-Based — Focused on empowering participants, not fixing them.
- Fun and Engaging — Because therapy should never feel like a chore.
Ready to Level Up?If you're curious about how TTRPG Therapy could help you or someone you love, we’d love to talk.
Reach out today to find out more about our current programs, or book a spot in one of our upcoming groups.
At Brave Counselling, we believe everyone deserves a chance to be the hero of their own story.
Let’s roll the dice together and see what’s possible.