Role-playing games in psychotherapy : a practitioner's guide / Daniel Hand.

xxiv, 252 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. Underlying Principles. 1: Theoretical Approach -- Storifying the Therapeutic Process -- The Fictional Frame -- Parasocial Relationships -- Projection: The Client-Character -- Empathy: Trait-identification -- Transference: Vicarious Relationships -- Working with the Inner child -- A Meeting of the Unconscious -- Explaining RPG-Therapy -- Next steps -- 2: Core Mechanics -- Boundaries -- What You'll Need -- The Story Trinity -- Theatre of the Mind -- Actions -- Prolonged Actions -- Concerning Dice -- Core Mechanics -- Ability Modifiers -- Encounters -- Example of Play -- Part II. Preparation. 3: Character -- The Importance of Character -- The Character Sheet -- Step One: Character Name -- Step Two: Descriptors -- Quick Start -- Step Three: Traits -- Step Four: Relationships -- Step Five: Hopes and Fears -- Step Six: Mannerisms -- Step Seven: Special Abilities -- Step Eight: Hit-points -- Step Nine: Luck -- Step Ten: Items -- Job Done -- Character Growth -- Example Character -- Reviewing the Character-Creation Process -- 4: Setting -- The World Where You Live -- Locale-Building -- A Safe Space -- Major Locations -- Minor Locations -- Non-Player Characters -- Recycling Ideas -- Example Setting -- Reviewing the Setting-Creation Process -- 5: Obstacle -- The Reward Is Always in the Journey -- Obstacle Types -- NPCs as Obstacles -- Exploration -- Interactions -- Combat -- Puzzles -- Obstacle-Chains (Aka 'adventures') -- Example Obstacles -- Reviewing the Obstacle-Creation Process -- Part III. Implementation. 6: Telling the Story -- Once Upon a Time -- The Story So Far -- The Story Cycle -- Role-play -- Improvisation -- Consequences -- Death -- Downtime -- Giving the Client Control -- 7: Playing the Game -- The Role of the Dice -- Exploration Mechanics -- Interaction Mechanics -- Combat Mechanics -- Healing -- Puzzle Mechanics -- Note-taking -- 8: Applying Your Modality -- Reflection and Insight -- Supervision -- Person-Centred Therapy -- Psychodynamic Therapy -- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy -- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy -- Transactional Analysis -- Attachment Theory -- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy -- Cognitive-Analytic Therapy -- Jungian Analysis -- Adlerian Therapy -- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy -- Gestalt Psychology -- Narrative Therapy -- Systemic Therapy -- Play therapy -- Group Therapy -- Remote Practice -- 9: Extended Example of Play -- 10: Concluding Therapy -- The End of the Beginning -- Reviewing the Client's Journey -- Just Ask the Client What They'd Like to Do -- A Therapeutic Climax -- Epilogues -- Saying Goodbye -- Future Adventures -- Hasty Or Unplanned Endings -- Example Conclusion -- Reviewing the Practical Skills of RPG-Focused Psychotherapy.