How to Run a D&D® Therapy Group
Live Online Training Cohort for Mental Health Professionals!
Want to learn the steps of running a Dungeons and Dragons (D&D)® Therapy Group?
Are you looking for training that focuses on adult process groups?
Need hands-on learning in order to feel confident running your own groups?
Learn the Heart of the Realm method!
Join a 10 week live training group online with Julia and an intimate group of five members.
Topics Include:
- What materials you need in order to run a D&D® therapy group
- Running a game using Roll20® as the virtual tabletop platform
- Pre-group; during group; and post-group session protocols
- Your role as the therapeutic GM (game moderator)
- Encounters and interventions in D&D® therapy
- How to run debriefing portions of adult groups
- Therapeutic distance and benefits of D&D® therapy
- Case conceptualization based on your clinical theory
- Demonstration of session protocols and gameplay
- Skills implementation with practice GMing
Also Included:
Resources Packet
- Paperwork
- Session 0 protocols
- House rules
- Progress notes examples
- And more!
Private Discord Channel
- Stay connected with your cohort throughout the 10 weeks
- Ask clarifying questions
- Share resources
- Post reflection questions
One-on-One Consultation
- 30-minutes with the instructor
- Feel set up with running your one-shot
- Support for your unique experience and setting
Reach out Here if you Have Questions About the Spring 2023 Cohort.
Course Structure
1st Half of the Training (Weeks 1-5) will be a mix of didactic and experiential learning. We will cover all of the steps of running a D&D® Therapy Group. Participants will also be able to see demonstrations from the instructor on various protocols and running encounters.
Halfway Through participants will schedule a 30-minute one-on-one with the instructor.
2nd Half of the Training (Weeks 6-10) will focus on each member of the training cohort leading a section of the Training Campaign. Members will receive support and feedback from the other group members who will participate as players in the Training Campaign.
Week 1
Learning objectives:
- Describe the terminology commonly associated with TTRPGs.
- List the materials used for running D&D® Therapy Groups.
- Identify 10 benefits to using D&D® in therapy groups.
- Explain to potential new group members how to play D&D® in their setting.
- Distinguish between the two modes of gameplay in D&D® Therapy Groups.
Week 2
Learning objectives:
- Prepare a list of D&D® Therapy pre-group consultation questions.
- Identify factors of group members when curating a group.
- Outline the Heart of the Realm session 0 protocols.
- List the paperwork and prep-work needed before session 0.
- Describe the DATA method of character creation interventions.
Week 3
Learning objectives:
- Describe the NANO method of creating NPCs.
- List the “5 Acts” regarding in-session protocols.
- Develop understanding of adapting storylines over the course of the group.
- Identify person-of-the-therapist strengths as they relate to being the group leader.
- Discuss therapeutic distance as it relates to developing interventions for D&D® Therapy.
Week 4
Learning objectives:
- Demonstrate understanding of changing encounters based on group stages.
- List the themes and metaphors of D&D® Therapy interventions.
- Differentiate between the three pillars of play for D&D® Therapy encounters.
- Identify different interventions for challenging player types.
- Create 3 different debriefing prompts based on participant’s clinical theory.
Week 5
Learning objectives:
- Outline the Heart of the Realm post-session protocols.
- Demonstrate case conceptualization based on participant’s clinical theory.
- Identify progress based on D&D® Therapy interventions.
- Prepare clinical notes for D&D® Therapy sessions.
- Utilize the Heart of the Realm method to outline practice encounters.
Weeks 6-10
Learning objectives:
- Demonstrate participant’s clinical theory in the facilitation of D&D Therapy® Training Campaign.
- Apply D&D Therapy® Interventions for working with groups.
- Demonstrate integrating character creation with campaign story.
- Identify reflection and feedback questions to review participant’s group session.
- Apply feedback from other group participants to the participant’s clinical setting.
Training Details
You must attend all 10 weeks (Spring cohort: March 31st-June 2nd)
Time: 9am-12pm CST on Fridays
CE Credits: 30 CE credits for LPCs; LMFTs; LCSWs; and Psychologists
Cost: $750 or $250 per month
Register today for the Spring 2023 cohort!*
*Spring 23 cohort currently full! If you’d like to be added to the waitlist (if someone drops between now and March 31st), please send me an email: julia@juliastamman.com.
Alternatively, if you’d like to stay up to date for future trainings, please sign up for the newsletter form below.
Instructor
Julia Stamman, MS, LPC
Julia earned her Masters in Clinical Mental Health through the University of North Texas in 2016. Julia has run D&D® Therapy Groups since 2020, and is working on certification through Game to Grow’s training program (level 2 currently). She primarily runs D&D® therapy groups for adults with anxiety and depression, and is passionate about working with neurodivergent adults. Julia has lead trainings through Geek Therapeutics, and participated in conferences as a panel speaker or workshop presenter at SXSW, TAGGS, and PAX Online. More details on writing and training experience here.
FAQ
This course is for mental health professionals (professional counselors; social workers; marriage and family counselors, and psychologists) interested in running their own D&D® Therapy Groups. All experience levels with D&D® welcome!
Yes, this training is a live small cohort training with experiential components interwoven throughout the 10 weeks. In order to complete the training and receive your certificate, you will have to run your own one-shot for the training cohort during the last five weeks.
This course focuses on D&D® 5th edition (5e), but can be applied to any tabletop game the clinician is interested in using for their setting and population.
The short answer is yes! However, this training will focus on adult dynamics and processing. There is another training program that’s specifically great for kids that I recommend called Game to Grow. If you have more questions about this, let’s chat! Send me an email here.
While it can help to have a basic understanding of tabletop games, we will meet you where you are at and cover the basics when needed.
I welcome students to join the training. However, it’s best if you already have some clinical experience (in the internship or practicum portion of your grad program).
The instructor’s experience is with running adult groups, so the training will be focused on the unique adult gameplay and group dynamics.
You will have opportunities to cater your training and reflection on your unique population and setting. For example, if you’re in a college setting; in private practice; or at an agency, you’ll receive support on how to adapt the training to your needs. Additionally, you will get practice with case conceptualization and developing interventions unique to the presenting problem of your choice.
Live cohort trainings will be offered a few times throughout the year. The cohort in spring of 2023 will get an early bird discount for being the first training cohort though!
Internet access will be required for this training course.
We will be using a free website called Roll20® for our game demonstrations and experiential components.
I recommend two screens (either a dual monitor setup or a computer and tablet/phone combo) for this training. This allows you to watch our Zoom with slides as well as follow along in our virtual tabletop (VTT) Roll20®.
Yes! We will have our own private Discord® channel to share resources, ask questions, and generally share what your experience is like with the training.
This training adheres to the Texas Administrative Codes for providing CEs for LPC; LMFT; LCSW; and Psychologists. Heart of the Realm maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. Attendees outside of Texas should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.
I do require 30 days notice for cancellations in order to provide a refund. If you have extenuating circumstances, please email me at julia@juliastamman.com
Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact: Julia Stamman, julia@juliastamman.com with your request. I aim to make my trainings as accessible as possible, so please do not hesitate to make a request when registering.
Cancellations requested up to 30 days prior to the event are eligible for a full refund minus a $75 administration fee.
Cancellations requested up to 14 days prior to the event are eligible for a 50% refund.
Cancellations requested within 14 days of the event are not eligible for a refund.
Heart of the Realm seeks to ensure fair treatment for every person, and adhere to American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics. You always have the right to bring grievance matters to my attention. Please submit a written grievance to: Heart of the Realm at julia@juliastamman.com. Grievances would receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.
I’m incredibly excited to support and encourage you in jour journey of learning How to Run a D&D® Therapy Group! I hope you’ll join us!
This material is for informational purposes only. It should be used within the context of appropriate clinical licensure. This course is not intended to provide mental health treatment or replace graduate level training in mental health.
There is no commercial support for this training. The instructor has no conflicts of interest to report.