Video - Game Therapy
Why I play Video Games with My Clients
Upon entering my counselling space clients are sometimes shocked to see video games and consoles amongst the counselling books. Playing video games can make talking to a therapist easier, builds rapport in the early stages of therapy. Video games can teach valuable life skills.
Therapists have always used games like checkers or card games to help break the ice and to build rapport. It can help make having a conversation easier whilst playing a casual game; video games work the same way. Giving us something to do with our hands helps facilitate discussions. Clients who are casually asked about work or school while duelling on screen or racing around a track are more than likely to answer frankly than sitting across awkwardly from a therapist.
When I ask clients how their week has been, they almost always tell me about the games they have been playing; this creates a great chance to build rapport. Allowing me to build a connection with the client through video games even if its mobile gaming. Some of the games I use are Minecraft, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros and, for the older clients, Call of Duty. After a few weeks of playing most clients feel more comfortable with traditional therapy.
One of the concerns I hear is my child yells and screams and throws objects when they lose, don’t worry I hear this a lot. As we play running around a virtual world each time my character gets killed I demonstrate losing gracefully, I laugh out loud and congratulate my client on the win. This helps the client to understand loseing in a way that doesn’t cost them items or friends.
I focus on the client’s body language and help them stay regulated, allowing the client to get used to knowing when their emotions are getting high or when they start to feel stressed. Helping them understand when to slow down or take a break.
Building Rapport
Very few clients ever realise that I was teaching them transferable skills and regulation strategies that can easily transferred to their home environment. Each of these skills can be taught with video games due to them being more engaging especially for younger people. Video games can teach patience, breathing and pausing to name but a few.