213 - Using Role-Playing Games in Therapy
Relational Depth in Counselling – Dealing with Failure
In Episode 213 of the Counselling Tutor Podcast, Rory Lees-Oakes and Ken Kelly discuss this week’s three new topics:
- In ‘Counselling Foundations’, Rory and Ken explore the relational depth.
- Then in ‘Focus on Self’, we think about failure.
- And finally in this week’s ‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Daniel Hand on introducing role-playing games (RPGs) in therapy.
Relational Depth in Counselling [starts at 02:54 mins]
Relational depth is connecting with each other in a meaningful way, not necessarily just in therapy. In this section, Rory and Ken look further into this idea of relational depth, and the key points include:
- It’s a moment of deep relation and connection.
- It isn’t a goal to strive towards; it’s something you and your client may shift in and out of.
- Requires them to be the centre of your attention, fully tuning into them.
- Really seeing and trying to understand another human being.
- It can be hampered by agenda – trying to ‘fix’ the client and only focusing on exercising theory and skills will hinder this relational depth.
Free handout download on Relational Depth is available in the green button above.
Dealing with Failure [starts at 17:22 mins]
Through sharing their personal experiences with the word failure, Rory and Ken discuss ways to overcome this mindset and reinforce the importance of not giving up.
The key points mentioned in this section include:
- Thinking about your own relationship with the word failure and possibly changing what it means to you.
- Failure doesn’t have to be viewed as something you’ve done wrong.
- Failure is simply the process of finding the right way – you will always learn from it.
- Don’t give up, you never know how close you are to the end.
Using Role-Playing Games in Therapy [starts at 28:54 mins]
This week, Rory speaks with Daniel Hand about how he has introduced using role-playing games or RPGs to his counselling practice.
The main points of this discussion include:
- Role-playing games provide an escape from the real world for the client.
- RPGs enable them to put things at arm’s length.
- Allows the client to make mistakes without real-life consequences.
- Can help the client to practice decision making.
- The client can learn from their character.
- Utilises projection and empathy.
- Simply put – it’s fun.