Geek Therapy for Adolescents
Boulder Gaming Groups
Geek Therapy & Dungeons & Dragons: Empowering Neurodivergent Adolescents
Geek Therapy is an innovative, evidence-informed approach to mental health that uses pop culture, fandoms, and geek culture, like video games, comics, and tabletop role-playing games to build therapeutic relationships and foster personal growth.
By meeting young people where their passions lie, Geek Therapy helps create a safe, affirming space for self-expression, emotional regulation, and social development.
Why Dungeons & Dragons?
Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a collaborative storytelling game where players create characters and embark on imaginative adventures. It's a flexible and creative medium that supports:
Problem-solving
Emotional exploration
Teamwork
Safe role-playing scenarios
For adolescents navigating ADHD, neurodivergence, OCD, or social difficulties, D&D becomes more than just a game, it’s a therapeutic tool.
How D&D Supports Adolescents with Neurodivergent Needs
✅ ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Structured freedom allows creative spontaneity within clear rules.
Turn-taking teaches impulse control and patience.
Encourages sustained attention through engaging storytelling.
🧠 Neurodivergence (including Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Clear social expectations and routines provide predictability.
Roleplay enables practicing empathy and perspective-taking.
Special interests can be integrated into game content to boost engagement.
🧩 OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Encourages flexible thinking and adaptability in a low-stakes environment.
Offers opportunities to process anxiety through character experiences.
Fosters a sense of control while gently introducing uncertainty.
🗣️ Social Challenges
Group-based gameplay promotes communication, collaboration, and social cue recognition.
Safe, guided space to try out different social roles and reactions.
Builds trust, empathy, and confidence through shared storytelling.
Therapeutic Benefits of D&D in a Clinical or Group Setting
Identity exploration through character creation and development.
Narrative therapy as players tell their stories through fantasy personas.
Executive function skills like planning, organization, and adaptability are organically practiced.
Safe emotional expression by projecting struggles, strengths, and fears onto fictional characters.
Improved social cohesion with peers facing similar challenges.
Who Facilitates Geek Therapy?
Geek Therapy sessions using D&D are led by trained professionals, often therapists, counselors, or coaches who understand both therapeutic models and geek culture. These facilitators guide the game with trauma-informed care, neurodiversity-affirming practices, and therapeutic goals in mind. Gaming Groups at Fountain Wellness are led by Daniel Grenchik, LPCC, a seasoned Dungeon Master and Geek Therapist.
Is it Right for Your Teen?
If your adolescent:
Has trouble connecting socially
Struggles with emotional regulation
Feels misunderstood or isolated
Is passionate about fantasy, games, or storytelling
Then Geek Therapy through D&D may offer a meaningful path to healing and growth while having fun.
Getting Started
Dungeons & Dragons is more than a game. It’s a tool for connection, healing, and empowerment. For neurodivergent teens, it opens up a world of possibilities where they can explore who they are and who they want to become.
Contact us today to get started!
Schedule a free consultation to discuss how Geek Therapy and D&D can help you