Fantasy

• Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is crossing a new frontier, as the game may soon be used as a form of psychological therapy.
• Over the last five years, I have researched possibilities for the game’s clinical implementation, as well as potential hurdles.
• The therapeutic interest in the game only arose in the last five years, when D&D experienced a renaissance.

Playing safely

• Released in 1974, there was something of a “Satanic panic” around the game, which was seen by some as a cradle of Satanic occultism.
• Despite this, some clinicians still view playing D&D as cause of mental health issues.
• Another reason for the hesitancy is that there can be a real risk involved in using D&D in therapy with no proper plan in place.
• Since our research in 2023, at least 16 theoretical guidelines have been published, drafting ideas or sharing anecdotes of good practice.
• And more importantly, more research is being released showing successful implementation in the community and even in forensic services.

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Sören Henrich does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.