Video Games in Psychotherapy provides the reader with a practical session-by-session framework for using video games, interactive media, and gaming metaphors to help make the process of psychotherapy more engaging for today’s youth.
Using concepts from narrative, collaborative, cognitive behavioral, and other evidenced-based approaches to psychotherapy, the book gives examples of possible therapist questions, responses, and activities involving language and concepts that are appealing to young gamers. Addressing issues with psychophysiological self-regulation, anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorders, among others, this book uses multiple case examples to demonstrate each idea and is written in a way that is understandable for all mental health providers, regardless of their own familiarity with gaming. A review of over 40 popular video games with specific ideas for their use in psychotherapy is provided, allowing mental health providers to easily individualize therapy based on client goals and gaming preferences. Concepts for individual and group psychotherapy using games and interactive media, ranging from Pac Man to virtual reality, are also covered.
Providing the reader with useful templates, worksheets, and other therapy resources, this book is a must-have for mental health providers working with children, adolescents, and transition-age youth.
Author(s): Robert Rice
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 241
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Endorsements
Title
Copyright
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Why Video Games?
Why Use Video Games in Psychotherapy?
Side-by-Side Psychotherapy
One Psychotherapist’s Video Game Journey
Common Questions and Their Answers
Summary
2 An Integrated Approach to Gaming in Psychotherapy
Narrative Therapy
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Mindfulness
Who May Benefit From This Approach?
Who Is Qualified to Use This Guide?
What Equipment Is Needed?
Possible Session-by-Session Outline (Based on 60-Minute Session Length)
Summary
Therapist Missions
3 Metaphors Be With You
To Externalize and “Characterize” Mental Illness
The Termites and the Mooing Men
The Claws
To Organize and Remember Strengths and Skills
Power Cards
To Better Understand the Relationship Between the Client and the Problem
For Social Learning
Jimmy the Creeper Gets Mad (by Sam)
Putting It Together: Video Game–Themed Treatment Planning
Ned’s Video Game–Themed Treatment Plan
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
4 Using Video Games for Self-Regulation Training
Biofeedback Basics
The Case of Sam
Sam’s Video Game–Themed Treatment Plan
Pairing Video Games With Biofeedback
Choosing a Game
Establishing the Rules
Enforcing the Rules
Increasing the Difficulty
Teaching Calibration With Video Games
The Case of Dean
My Self-Control Game
Conclusion
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
5 Using Video Games for Anxiety Disorders
The Case of Alan
Alan’s Video Game–Themed Treatment Plan
Using Avatars to Diagnose and Understand a Person’s Relationship With Anxiety
Video Game–Themed Exposure and Response Prevention
A Sample of Alan’s Video Game–Themed ERP Plan (Nine Levels Total)
Up and Down the Worry Hill—Gamer Style
Video Game Imagery to Help Medicine Work Better
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
6 Autism and Video Games (and Anime)
Research on ASD and Gaming
Gaming in Therapy for ASD
Video Game Music
The Case of Dean
Gamifying Non-Preferred Activities
Dean’s Video Game–Themed Treatment Plan
Video Game Controller Imagery
The Case of Nick
Nick’s Controller
Using Avatars to Diagnose and Understand a Person’s Relationship With Autism
Anime and the Case of Cassy
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
7 Gamer Groups
Why Gamer Group?
Video Games in Social Skills Groups
Video Games in Support Groups
Video Games in Psychotherapy Groups
One Approach to Gamer Groups
The Curriculum
Results, Discussion, and Future Directions
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
8 YouTube and Let’s Plays in Psychotherapy
YouTube Videos in Mental Health
What Is a Let’s Play, and Why Are All My Clients Watching Them?
The Case of Abe
Let’s Plays in Psychotherapy: One Approach
Conclusions, Limitations, and Opportunities for Future Research
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
9 Serious Games and Games for Health
What Are Serious Games and Games for Health?
Examples of Serious Games for Mental Health
MindGamers and Interprofessional Design
Designing Mental Health Games; Learning from MindGamers
Crossing the Language Barriers
Defining Design
Setting Process and Scope
Conclusions and Future Study
Repetition Rebellion and Other Apps Designed to Help in Psychotherapy
There’s an App for That!
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
10 Virtual Reality in Psychotherapy
Defining XR, VR, and AR
Extended Reality
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Applications and Evidence for VR in Psychotherapy
VR for Exposure Therapy
The Case of Alan
VR to Teach Meditation and Mindfulness
The Case of Jack
Guided Imagery and VR: An Example
Forest Scene
Beach Scene
Virtual Sessions
The Case of Jonny
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
11 Avoiding Nature Deficit Disorder
Nature Deficit Disorder Defined
The Argument for Nature
Exercise, Activity, Anxiety, and ADHD
Gaming’s Impact on Young People’s Exposure to Nature
Technology in Nature
Pokémon Go
Geocaching
Real-Life Minecraft
Role Play
Among Us
Outdoor Local Play on Portable Devices
Zombies, Run!
Nature-Based Video Games
The Case of Mick
Common Questions and Answers
Therapist Missions
Part Two Video Game Directory With Ideas for Use in Psychotherapy
Values Clarification
Process Used to Select the Games
Understanding Video Game Ratings
More Ways to Use This Game Directory
Video Games in Psychotherapy Directory
Among Us
Angry Birds
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Astroneer
Bloons Tower Defense
Call of Duty
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Civilization VI
Cozy Grove
FIFA
Fortnite
Fruit Ninja
Just Dance 2021
League of Legends
Lego Series
Madden
Mario Kart
Minecraft
NBA 2k20
New Super Lucky’s Tale
Okami
Overcooked
Pac-Man
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
Portal 2
Raft
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Rock Band
Rocket League
Sea of Thieves
Spiritfarer
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Stardew Valley
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Mario Party
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Smash Bros.
Terraria
The Artful Escape
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Sims
Appendix 1 Initial Evaluation With Gamified Language (Part 1)
Appendix 2 Initial Evaluation (Part 2)
Appendix 3 My Game Design Document (Therapy Plan)
Appendix 4 My Stress-Control Game (Instructions)
Appendix 5 My Stress-Control Game (Game Board)
Appendix 6 Additional Virtual Reality Guided Imagery Scripts
Appendix 7 Video Game Controller Imagery Worksheet (Xbox Version)
Appendix 8 Video Game Controller Imagery Worksheet (Switch Version)
Appendix 9 Video Game Controller Imagery Worksheet (PlayStation Version)
Appendix 10 Video Game–Themed Treatment Plan Template
Appendix 11 Video Game Therapy Ideas Worksheet
Appendix 12 Tips for Parents of Gamers
Appendix 13 Let’s Play Reflection Worksheet
Index
