At Head & Heart, we believe every person deserves to feel, heal, and evolve.
We provide a safe environment, affirming relationships, and science-based therapy.
Therapists have long known that play helps us to assimilate information we’ve learned, test new ways of behaving, explore our identities and stories, hone our social skills, and boost our creative problem-solving abilities (plus, it’s fun!). We also know that experiences of stress and trauma disconnect us from ourselves, usually starting with our imagination and creativity. Unfortunately, the older we get, the harder it is to find socially acceptable ways to play. Enter: D&D Therapy Groups! Benefits include:
Reducing social isolation
Increasing confidence
Building assertiveness and practice boundary setting
Igniting passion and creativity outside of the game
Relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression
Exploration of identity and gender
Exploration and increased acceptance of all parts of self
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is having a moment right now - and once you play, you’ll understand why! D&D is a tabletop roleplaying game (not a video game). Essentially, it is collaborative storytelling- a group of adventurers set out on quests in a medieval fantasy setting. Unlike most other games, there is no set path to take, and characters don’t just progress along spaces on a board. What makes D&D and other roleplaying games unique is that the players improvise to create a story together, and their choices affect what happens next.
The game is facilitated by a lead player, called the Dungeon Master (DM), who describes situations for the players and asks them how they’d like to proceed. Then, it’s up to the players to decide how their character would act in a given situation. To add an element of chance to the game, players then have to roll a die to see how well their plan works. It’s not competitive, and there are no winners or losers: everyone works together toward a common goal. This can lead to surprising, funny, and even touching moments during game play that could never have been planned in advance.
No D&D materials or previous D&D experience is necessary! You’ll be taught everything you need to know to participate; the therapist’s job is to guide and teach you through this process. Groups are:
Gender inclusive; Minimum age of 20 y/o
4 - 6 group players
120 minute sessions, once a week for 10 weeks
Thursday evenings 2024
Private Pay only
Groups are 'closed' once started; waitlists are created to fill new groups.
With a therapist as the Dungeon Master, there is an added layer of safety, reflection and growth available to players. Players are supported in emotional regulation, participation is balanced, and the DM is able to create triggers for growth based on your unique needs and goals. Cheryl will help you create a character and backstory that is intentionally connected to your goals for personal growth. Players are supported in guided reflection at the end of each session to explore themes, character-player parallels, group dynamics, values, goals and conflicts.
A free, individual "intake" call (available via Zoom) with the group member is required to help ensure appropriateness of fit.
During this call, Cheryl will help you create a character and backstory that is intentionally connected to your goals for personal growth.
This consultation is an opportunity to learn more about the group and ask questions, it’s not a commitment to join the group.
