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Play therapy prescribes video games to combat anxietyGris is the new black
Gris is the new black
As someone with bipolar, I have often wondered why sinking several hours into something soothing such asShovel Knightdoes so much for my soul. However I recently read that Geek Therapy, a non-profit advocating the use of video games for wellness, promote using world-building games such as Minecraft, Roblox,Animal Crossing, and Fortnite to help people deal with mental health issues. While play therapy has long promoted the therapeutic powers of escapism to imaginary worlds, it is more recently that thought has gone into how these online experiences can be used to combat my, I mean someone’s, anxiety and depression.
In a recent interview withMarketplace, Josué Cardona, the president of theAssociation For Play Therapy, spoke about how these popular video games can help with talking about problems.
“They want to keep coming because you’re willing to not only talk to them about Minecraft, but also play the game in session. It’s definitely opened a lot of doors for a lot of families to come into the mental health space.”
Family therapist Monet Goldman says he had a similar experience. Speaking toWiredin a feature last month, he explained how introducing Roblox into a therapy session transformed “radio silence” into “forgotten shyness” as clients led each other around the game. This is apparent to introverts, such as myself, who have suddenly exploded into a flurry of conversation at the mere mention of their adored entertainment.
Openness is not the only benefit. The 2018 study,Zombies Vs Anxiety, found that in a group of more than 50 anxious participants, two to three hours a week of game time showed a larger reduction in anxiety than taking a second prescription medication. Clinical psychologist Aimee Daramus told Wired she “prescribes” games which focus on mental health such as Sea Of Solitude,Gris, and Night In The Woods, to practice coping techniques between sessions in her talks with Wired.
15 Minutes Of Gris PC Gameplay | Meet 2018’s Prettiest PlatformerWatch on YouTube
15 Minutes Of Gris PC Gameplay | Meet 2018’s Prettiest Platformer
Daramus also links gaming activity to her specific treatment goals. She gives the example of playing Animal Crossing and reflecting with clients on how befriending villagers honed their social skills, or waiting to hook a rare fish built their distress tolerance. While spending hours upon days waiting for that final drop is indeed distressing, there are even benefits when it pushes to the point of frustration.
Kim Wheeler Poitevien is a clinical social worker who uses games to help young people build patience and tolerance. She told Wired that when games glitch, lag, kick players out or simply when someone is losing, it helps players to better deal with their “frustration tolerance”.
