Hi Guys, I posted on this same thing about 3 years ago when I was in college putting together a version of this as part of my master's thesis. (Great fun I assure you!) Anyway, fast forward 3 years, I did counseling for 3 years, a lot of work with groups, and am starting my private practice. I'd like to include virtual therapeutic tabletop gaming. I love the idea of creating 'tribes' of 4-5 people that can connect with each other for years, and also get the support they need, either though a therapist or talented DM. You guys are master story tellers. And if I'm going to focus on changing my life in a fun and engaging way- for months on end- I want it to be with a master- story teller- who always tells my story with me as the 'hero'. Plus I want to provide steady consistent work that pays you for this awesome skill you have developed. Anyway, I'm still in the beginning stages, but this is sorta what it looks like: 1. Clients meet with me for a short session. In this session, I work with them in creating goals and daily tasks to reach each goal. I created an online support group to help clients find greater motivation and life satisfaction. It relies predominantly on Narrative Theory to help clients build new stories that empower and give added purpose to their goals. I did this by incorporating five main criteria. They are as follows: 1. Clients meet with me for a short session. In this session, I work with them in creating goals and daily tasks to reach each goal. 2. Clients record their daily progress toward goals on a google form. This progress improves or worsens a client-chosen attribute of their avatar. This might be bravery, wisdom, charisma, or some other attribute that is related to the goal. 3. As client's behaviors improve or worsen, correlated attributes within their avatar are also affected. Clients are motivated to do well in their personal lives partially because it has a positive effect on the game and the gaming experience of their teammates. 4. I designed the group so that clients meet together to discuss their goals and progress each week at our gaming session. During this session, we also play Dungeons and Dragons with our Avatars being the characters. You and I design the quests each week to act as a metaphor for the life situation of each of the clients. This is intended to increase the meaning-making inherent in the activity. Clients share with the group the lessons they are learning through this experience. 5. Part of what makes this group unique is the manner in which the group participates with one another. Because it is engaged in a team-building, collaborative game, it encourages the team to work together, and trust one another very quickly. I built it this way so it can form a tight cohesive group. I wanted to create a group that self-reinforces. It helps participants to build trusting relationships by virtue of the shared game playing. Another poignant area is the use of the game as a positive and enjoyable part of the group check-in. Generally, there is a certain reluctance to attend check-in groups such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or OA (Over-eaters Anonymous). Part of this may be because of the shame members feel around the issue, Another part might be the difficulty in confronting having less control, success, or power than a member would like. I designed Hero's Leap to support clients with an entertaining and useful check-in group. Because clients are invested in the story- it is their story after all-they are more eager to attend each week. I'm not tied to D&D, there are a lot of games that could work well. Please let me know if you're interested.
