{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,1]],"date-time":"2026-09-01T11:18:00Z","timestamp":1788261480726,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,31]],"date-time":"2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1743379200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center","award":["NA"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["NA"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Behavioral Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Using Dungeons &amp; Dragons (D&amp;D) as a therapeutic tool is more feasible than previously thought. While role-playing games (RPGs) have existed for decades, their application in therapy can be challenging for those unfamiliar with tabletop gaming. This article explores the history of D&amp;D, its therapeutic applications, and case studies of five individuals (ages 7\u201319) using RPGs addressing anxiety, depression, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and nightmares. It also examines group therapy settings for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), LGBTQ adolescents exploring identity, and women in residential treatment for substance use and trauma recovery. Each case study highlights both the successes and challenges of integrating RPGs into therapy, demonstrating how D&amp;D fosters social skills, identity exploration, trauma recovery, and emotional growth. The findings suggest that RPGs are flexible and effective tools for addressing diverse mental health concerns by encouraging emotional exploration and personal development. While the results are promising, further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of RPGs in therapy and their broader clinical applications. Expanding this research could solidify D&amp;D\u2019s role as a valuable therapeutic intervention across various mental health settings.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/bs15040441","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,31]],"date-time":"2025-03-31T05:21:04Z","timestamp":1743398464000},"page":"441","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Mastering Your Dragons: Using Tabletop Role-Playing Games in Therapy"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-7855-062X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sherry R.","family":"Rosenblad","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th St., Lubbock, TX 79430, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tessa","family":"Wolford","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Counselor Education and Supervision, Walden University, 100 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"suffix":"III","given":"Richard S.","family":"Brennan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychiatry, Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 1674 Pine St., Abilene, TX 79601, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Josh","family":"Darnell","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Counselor Education, Bluefield University, 3000 College Dr., Bluefield, VA 24605, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Challen","family":"Mabry","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Counselor Education, Bluefield University, 3000 College Dr., Bluefield, VA 24605, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andrew","family":"Herrmann","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th St., Lubbock, TX 79430, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,3,31]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1080\/01609513.2021.1932014","article-title":"Table-top role-playing games as a therapeutic intervention with adults to increase social connectedness","volume":"45","author":"Abbott","year":"2021","journal-title":"Social Work with Groups"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ainsworth, M. 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