Date of Award

Spring 4-16-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Major

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Dr. E. Kellogg

Abstract

This expressive arts-based autoethnography explores the use of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) as a tool in expressive arts therapy to foster self-expression and connection to oneself and others. Research on the use of TTRPGs as a viable therapeutic medium is in its early stages, particularly for the widely-renowned fantasy TTRPG Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Geek Therapy, a therapy surrounding “geek culture” and affinities, emerged in 2011 and began research questioning if such affinities as costume play, anime, video games, or TTRPGs could be tools for self-expression in therapy. This has led to a range of current literature on the therapeutic benefits of D&D, which include peer connection, increased problem-solving skills, and social growth. Alongside Expressive Arts Therapy’s naturally creative approach, D&D also contains collaborative storytelling, creative problem solving, and role-playing, making the game a potential intermodal experience. Guided by the literature, I engaged in a self-study to deepen my understanding of D&D’s impact on my mood and sense of connection over four sessions. These sessions utilized free writing and collage to seek the potential impact of D&D engagement, while considering the arts as a reflective catalyst to draw out these answers. The results of this self-study included themes regarding increased mood, bolstered sense of self, and recurring symbols of security, which could be applied in future fieldwork for utilizing TTRPGs and expressive arts in tandem.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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