Photo by Lavanya Chetal/DePaul University
Dice roll across the table as a group of six DePaul students step into a world of fantasy and magic, where the battles they fight aren’t just make believe, but reflections of real-life struggles. For these students, Dungeons & Dragons is both a role-playing game where heroes face impossible odds and a form of self-expression, connection and mental health support.
Victoria Smith, a licensed clinical social worker at University Counseling and Psychological Services, leads these D&D group therapy sessions with co-facilitator Nathaly Shammo, a clinical social work intern. Smith introduced D&D therapy this spring to lower the barrier to mental health care for students who might feel intimidated by traditional therapy.
“I wanted to create more unique ways for students to access group therapy,” Smith says. “D&D therapy can feel more approachable than traditional therapy groups, providing a space where students can work on personal issues, develop skills and — most importantly — have fun.”
Aside from D&D therapy, UCAPS offers other therapy groups including processing, skill-based and affinity groups. Processing groups include D&D therapy, romantic relationship-building, conflict management, and crochet-based therapy.
Skill-based groups cover grief, procrastination, surviving sexual violence, and thriving post-graduation. Affinity groups include a men’s support group and LGBTQ support group.
“Group therapy is an effective way to reach students with the mental health care they need in ways that resonate with them - whether it’s around a certain identity such as our Graduate Student Support Group or Black Men’s Therapy group,” says Tow Yau, executive director of UCAPS. “It’s a place for students to learn new skills, connect with others in a safe environment and experience a sense of belonging.”
For D&D therapy, Smith and Shammo follow Game to Grow: Critical Core, a therapy-based version of D&D. After students develop their own characters, goals and motivations, Smith and Shammo guide the group through storytelling, completing adventurous missions. In the game, the co-facilitators are known as “game masters.”
Shammo is interning with Smith, preparing game set-ups for each session. Photo by Lavanya Chetal/DePaul University.
These missions are more than slaying fire-breathing dragons and fighting beasts, though. They present students with different scenarios that confront them with real-life problems.
“It encourages confidence building, problem solving, socialization and handling unexpected situations head-on,” Shammo says.
Throughout the quarter, members work on personal goals for the team’s storytelling journey, or “campaign.” Smith says each session includes a “check-in” and “check-out” with question-based prompts reflecting on how to improve the team’s gameplay through skills like collaboration and assertiveness.
“My favorite aspect of working with college students is supporting their self-discovery, ability to advocate for themselves and grow into more authentic versions of who they want to be,” Smith says.
D&D gameplay fosters collaboration and creativity to help them cope with frustration, emotional dysregulation and interpersonal challenges, in addition to the fun of creating the undead spirits or sharp-toothed bears of the gameplay.
“Through storytelling and play, students are empowered to uplift each other and seek personal growth in a unique, memorable way,” Shammo says.
Through facilitating the group, Smith and Shammo have gained insight into their approaches to therapy.
“I’ve learned that when I show up authentically and creatively, it helps the group loosen up and engage more, reinforcing how healing, connection and self-expression can be,” says Smith.
As the final dice are cast, the campaign draws to a close this quarter. The impact of each session is evident — not just in epic battles won and challenges completed, but in the personal growth students carry with them beyond the game.
As Smith and Shammo look to expand the program, one thing is clear: the adventures are just beginning.
Students who are interested in joining D&D group therapy can schedule an appointment or find more information here.