Role Playing Adventure Group for Teens

A little bit about the group:
Clients move through a typical adventure (Group goes after a big bad guy and saves the day) that includes puzzles and combat, but mostly- role-playing. I went through an extensive training on how to add therapeutic encounters that are specific to the goals of the clients attending. Clients will play through the character they create, and work together with their group to take on challenges and problem solve when needed.

A client who needs to practice assertiveness skills, social skills, struggles with social anxiety and confidence- some obstacles would be intentionally set up throughout the adventure. For example, having the client (Their character) have to approach a tough/menacing looking guard to gain entrance to this area they need to explore. Their character is the only one who can complete this task due to something like a language barrier, or their character being the same race (both half orcs for example). The client will have to role-play how they would approach this guard, what they would say to his responses (the guard is played be me in the session). The clients characters are usually also tough and fearless, so the client might approach the situation with gusto and tell the guard who is boss. If not, or if they hesitate, the Counselor, who is the facilitator / Game Master (fancy right?) can step  in to encourage the client. The team can also step in to assist the client by hyping them up.

The possibilities are endless, and it is very excited to offer this to our clients! Right now, the group will be two weeks, and then move to 6 to 8 week groups in the future once the clients experience the benefits and want to come without parental intervention!  These first two will in-person out of our Lombard office, and then virtually in the future.