Why use video games in mental health therapy?

Research has proven that video games are more than entertainment—they can be powerful therapeutic tools when used intentionally in counseling sessions. The video games can become an effective barrier to emotions where they can be talked on with minimal struggle expressing them.

Goals Supported by Gaming in Therapy

✔ Coping skills practice
✔ Social skills development
✔ Anger management
✔ Stress reduction
✔ Teamwork and communication
✔ Improving frustration tolerance

All ages can opt to game in session. Minors need parents consent to game.

Two people playing a soccer video game with controllers on a TV screen showing a digital soccer field.

There are benefits to utilizing video games in sessions

  • Computer monitor displaying the game Fortnite logo in a dark room illuminated by purple and blue lights.

    Builds comfort and supports emotional regulation

    Many people, especially children, teens, and young adults, feel more at ease in therapy when using a familiar activity like gaming.

    It reduces anxiety and creates a non-threatening environment for opening up about feelings.

    Games often require players to manage frustration, disappointment, and excitement—skills that translate to real-life coping strategies.

    Therapists can guide clients to practice mindfulness, patience, and self-control during play.

  • Laptop screen displaying the Minecraft game website open in a browser, with a blue Minecraft welcome banner and green 'Get Minecraft' button.

    Improves social, communication, and cognitive skills

    Multiplayer or co-op games encourage teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

    Great for family therapy, group sessions, or individual clients working on social interaction.

    Many games promote planning, critical thinking, and decision-making.

    Useful for clients with ADHD, executive function challenges, or developmental delays.

  • Laptop screen displaying the Roblox registration page with various game images in the background.

    Assists in therapeutic processing

    In-game challenges and successes can mirror real-life struggles and victories.

    Therapists can use these moments for metaphor-based discussion (e.g., resilience, persistence, dealing with failure).

    Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

    Increase motivation and engagement in therapy.

    Support skills training for emotional regulation and problem-solving

How are these types of sessions conducted?

Virtual/Telehealth

  • Use online multiplayer games with screen-sharing for remote sessions.

  • Therapist and client play games together with video on

  • No chat/audio in-game will be used, only video/audio from session link

  • Play a specific game or mode for mindfulness.

  • Reflect using a worksheet:

    • “What emotions did you feel?”

    • “How did you handle frustration?”

    • “What can you apply in real life?”

  • What games are played:

    • Minecraft (Bedrock or Java)

    • Roblox - appropriate level games

    • Steam - appropriate level games (free ones)

    • Epic Games - Fortnite (any of the variations at appropriate levels)

Group of colorful cartoon roblox characters, including a girl with a flower hat, a robot with a cardboard face, a person with a yellow construction helmet, a pirate girl with red hair, and a yellow blocky face character, outdoors under a bright blue sky.